She had no idea what she would do if the situation was reversed. Her parents had stayed together through everything so the thought of a step parent was utterly terrifying. Lexi supposed Chyna felt the same way. Even though her parents had split up due to infidelity, she still didn't want some other person coming in and replacing her mother.
"Fine," Chyna said crossing her arms and waiting for their food to arrive. She tapped her toe anxiously under the table, but a smile broke out across her face as she glanced across the room. "Hey stop checking your phone," Chyna commanded. Lexi's head snapped up. "Look straight ahead."
Lexi mouth curved up in a smile as Ramsey strode confidently across the ballroom floor. Eyes followed him as he made his way towards Lexi, but he didn't seem to notice any of them as his green eyes found her brown ones in the crowd. She licked her lips and butterflies took over her stomach. She hadn't seen him in a month, and damn did he look good. She had forgotten how strong and classically handsome his features were. The Armani suit that adorned his body had obviously been tailored specially for him, and Lexi could surely admit that it was worth every penny. His body looked incredible.
When he finally reached her, he bent down and lightly kissed the top of her head. A wave of peppermint filled her nostrils, and she shivered at the memories that scent filled her mind with. "Sorry I'm late," he said not taking his eyes from her face. He yanked the chair out from the table and sat down hardly acknowledging the rest of the room. His hand reflexively came out and fingered a strand of her loose, even curls. "It's shorter."
Lexi bit her lip to keep from pushing a chunk of it behind her ear. "Yeah. I donated it to cancer."
"I'm not sure cancer would appreciate that," he murmured smirking affectionately. She loved the way his right cheek dimpled in a little bit more than the other side. She wasn't sure why she had never noticed that. It had to be one of the most adorable features.
"Oh I mean Locks of Love," she stammered out. She wasn't certain why she was acting so nervous. She had never been nervous around him before. In fact, she typically was pretty forward and rude in his presence. She didn't give into his easy charm and he had seemed to like her more for that. Perhaps, since it had been under different circumstances and her mind had been so focused elsewhere, she hadn't even realized what she felt for Ramsey. She still wasn't sure and that made her more nervous than she would have been.
"Well either way, you look gorgeous," he said reaching forward and capturing her lips in a soft kiss.
Lexi was surprised by his boldness. After turning him down and then not seeing or speaking to him in a month, he was rather forward with his affections. "Thank you," she muttered pulling back her voice breathy.
"Am I playing the boyfriend role well enough?" he asked still staring longingly into her eyes.
Her heart stopped and then sank. He was just acting. Of course that would make sense. She had put him up to this role. She had set up the boundaries. Though she didn't know where that last kiss fell in with everything. But since he had shown up late, he felt he had to put on an appearance of devotion. "Uh…yeah," she said turning from his powerful gaze. "Where were you?"
"I told you my flight was delayed."
"That was hours ago. Why didn't you call or text?" Lexi asked hating that she sounded like the overbearing girlfriend, but she really had been worried. At least if they were acting, everyone would believe her role.
Ramsey dug into his pocket and pulled out a black, touch screen phone. "The damn thing died mid-flight and we were circling JFK for about an hour. I had no way to get a hold of you. I'm sorry," he said reaching out and grabbing her hand under the table. "I got here as soon as I could."
"I'm glad you made it safe," she said forgiving his lateness easily. She was still too concerned about his acting abilities to care.
Suddenly Ramsey seemed to notice that everyone had been watching them and turned to face the table. "How's it going?" he asked smiling like the confident heir to an empire that he was. "Pleasure to meet you all. I'm Ramsey Bridges."
Everyone shared their name with him, but one particular couple seemed fascinated by his name and began speaking in hushed whispers. Lexi could only imagine what they were saying. She really didn't want to think about it.
"Hey man, I'm Adam," he said shaking hands with Ramsey across the table.
"Nice to meet you," Ramsey reciprocated squeezing just a bit harder. "How do you know this bunch?"
"I'm here with Chyna," he said placing his arm across the back of Chyna's chair.
"Really?" Ramsey asked arching an eyebrow in Chyna's direction. "Interesting." Adam looked at Ramsey as if he wanted to confront him about why it was so interesting but he managed to keep his mouth shut long enough that the food arrived.
Chyna dug into the salad that had been placed before her. She glanced around the table, noticed everyone else's food, and nearly dropped her fork. "What are you eating?"
Lexi glanced down at her plate which was filled with a zesty, grilled, lemon-pepper chicken breast with garlic asparagus and a tiny helping of mashed potatoes. "Chicken?" she muttered confused by the question.
"Right. It looks incredible. Why the fuck do I just have a salad?" she asked seeing that everyone else around them had either chicken or steak placed before them.
"Uh…it was probably just a mistake," Lexi reasoned. This didn't look good.
"A mistake?" Chyna asked looking around at the rest of the ballroom. "Is anyone else eating a salad?"
Lexi bit her lip as her eyes shifted around the rest of the room and realized, in fact, that no one else had a salad placed before them. "Uh…"
"Is he trying to say I'm fat?" Chyna squeaked out in horror.
"He's trying to get a rise out of you," Ramsey informed her. "If you give into him, then he's won."
"And how would you know?" Chyna spat out. She was too angry to care who she was speaking to and in what tone of voice.
"Let's just say I have a lot of experience dealing with father figures who want to control everything and everyone. The first tactic employed is degradation," he said taking a sip of the water in front of him. "If he can make you feel like you are less than you are, he thinks he can have more power, more control over you."
Chyna huffed not wanting to give into his obviously good reason. Lexi could tell she was fuming, but she was trying to hold it in. Ramsey's advice was sound, and she wanted to take it, but that didn't make it any easier. Chyna murmured something incoherent into her salad, but finished the rest of the meal without complaint.
Dinner ended without any additional hitches in the plan, and as the plates were cleared away, music filled the ballroom and dancing ensued. Chyna looked as if she might combust with the anticipation of meeting her soon-to-be step-mom. A line had formed before them as hundreds of introductions were made.
"Perhaps we should wait," Ramsey suggested standing, and holding his hand out. "May I have this dance?" he requested formally.
Lexi giggled placing her hand in his and letting him escort her onto the floor. Chyna and Adam followed them and they twirled around in circles to the jazz music playing through the speakers. Soon enough they were surrounded by other couples happily dancing to the music.