Page 86 of Exchange of Heart

‘Your father will want to see you. Did you get some photos out front? It’s important they see you at events like these,’ his mum insisted.

‘Events about dogs?’ I asked.

‘Fundraisers,’ she emphasised with narrowed eyes.

Corey took three glasses from a passing waiter and handed them to me and his mother.

‘Thank you, Nora.’ She took a sip and nodded. ‘Yes, they chose a beautiful champagne for tonight. Don’t you think?’

A shadow appeared behind me before either of us could answer. If I was a dog, the prickles on my skin would be heckles rising.

‘Your mother’s glad you made it,’ Mr Flemmington’s voice grumbled.

I spun to face the bald-headed man that made Corey’s life hell day in, day out.

‘And what about you?’ I challenged.

‘What about me?’ His bushy eyebrows pulled together, just as they did every time he showed an ounce of emotion.

‘Are you glad I made it?’ I wanted this man to admit his son was worth more than the disappointment he made him out to be. More than what my father seemed to think of me – nothing.

‘Corey,’ Corey hissed at me.

At the sound of Corey using my voice, Mr Flemmington used the distraction to avoid my question and twist his head as though just realising Corey’s presence. ‘Good evening, Nora. I trust you got my email?’

Corey’s cheeks warmed to the same colour as Julz’s dress. ‘Yes.’

Their conversation died faster than I wished I could right now. No one spoke, the silence begging me to lighten the mood with a joke or dance or something. Perhaps I could start a Conga line.

‘Work-related matters can wait.’ His mum wrapped her arm through his dad’s, and insisted he escort her to meet some other members of the committee, twisting her head to wink at me and Corey.

‘What are you going to do about the offer from my dad?’ Corey picked at his nails.

‘You’re going to chip the polish.’ I grabbed his hands and pulled them apart, keeping them in my grasp so he wouldn’t do it again.

My stomach swirled at the intimacy. To everyone else, we appeared like a regular couple. Beneath my disguise though, I was a mess of emotions. I wanted more for Corey. More for us. More than the world could offer during these unfortunate circumstances. Perhaps the universe was simply looking out for me. I’d never wanted to rely on a man, so the universe had made the one man I’d considered letting in unavailable.

‘You didn’t answer my question.’

I sighed. ‘That’s because I don’t know the answer.’

His fingers widened and weaved through mine, grabbing my fingers with a squeeze before softening his grip. The swirls in my stomach deepened.

‘Nora?’ The voice to my side sounded oddly familiar.

I twisted my neck to see my mother barging through the crowd, both of my brothers flanking her like soldiers.

‘What on earth are you doing here?’ Her eyes darted to our hands for a brief moment, but the smile on her face lingered.

I yanked my hand away and Corey cleared his throat. We glanced around the room like teenagers who’d been caught kissing behind the shed. I should know, it’s exactly what happened when I was fourteen.

‘Nora?’ I whispered.

‘Oh, right. Me.’ Corey started picking at his nails again. ‘I came with Corey. His mum’s on the committee.’

‘Oh, and who is that?’ she asked.

‘Vivienne Flemmington.’ Thankfully I’d read up on the fundraiser last night, learning his mum not only donated a large sum of money, but happened to be an integral part of the committee.