Read Songbird for Free Online Page B

the door, and forty minutes later, I’m walking into the hotel.
    “Wow!” Oliver whistles as I make my way to him. He’s standing at the entrance, leaning casually against the wall with his camera around his neck. “Definitely hot. Too bad you’re not my type.”
    “Yeah, that’s a real shame.” I grin and adjust his gold bowtie. “You look great, too. Maybe we should have color coordinated.”
    Oliver rolls his eyes. “It’s not the prom, Callie. Come on, let’s get a drink.”
    We flash our press passes and step inside the ballroom.
    “We’re not here to socialize, remember?”
    He ignores me and steers me toward a waiter. Oliver winks at him before taking two glasses of champagne from the guy’s tray.
    “You’re shameless,” I mutter as the server walks away. “Now, where’s the press room in this place?”
    “I’m gonna look around,” Oliver says. “I’ll text you when I find it.”
    “Thanks.”
    I hold on tight to my glass and navigate my way through the crowd, hoping to find Lorie and Owen’s table. I spot them at the same time they find me, and the two of them wave me over. As soon as I approach the table, I don’t even get the chance to say hi before Lorie’s smile turns to a pissed-off frown.
    “What is that ?”
    Suddenly nervous, I glance down at my dress.
    Did something pop out? Did the seam split?
    “I’m serious, Callie. What is that in your hand?”
    My hand?
    I lift my glass. “Umm . . . champagne?”
    “I know what it is. Why are you holding it?”
    I narrow my eyes in confusion before I realize what she means.
    “Oh!” I quickly hand her the glass. For an entire half hour, I totally forgot I was an unwed mother. “I didn’t take a drink, I swear.”
    Owen glances curiously between the two of us before saying hello.
    “You scared the hell out of me,” Lorie murmurs before lifting the glass and downing my drink.
    How unfair.
    “Well, I can’t believe the two hottest girls in the room will be sitting at our table tonight,” Owen says with a lazy grin. “And I know someone who’s going to be very happy to see you, Callie.”
    I glance anxiously at Lorie.
    “Yeah, about that . . . Callie, would you come with me to the ladies’ room?”
    It’s more of a demand than an actual question, because Lorie grabs me by the arm and all but drags me down a long hallway leading to the restrooms. The sinks are lined with women checking their hair and make-up.
    Lorie pulls me into a corner. “Devin’s coming.”
    No. No. No.
    “I thought you said he was out of town!”
    “He was. But this is a huge deal to his family. Owen says he never misses it. I’m so sorry, Callie.”
    I take a deep breath. “It’s okay. This is work, and that ballroom is a big place. Maybe he won’t notice me.”
    She eyes me from head to toe. “In that dress? Good luck with that.”
    Doesn’t she realize I’m desperate here?
    “Besides, it’s been six weeks. Maybe he doesn’t even remember me. Everybody says he’s a total playboy, right? I’m probably just one more notch on his bedpost.”
    Lorie doesn’t look convinced as we head back. When we reach the table, we find Owen sitting next to a handsome, tuxedoed man with salt-and-pepper hair. By his side is a beautiful woman with hauntingly familiar eyes.
    “Ready to meet the parents?” Lorie whispers.
    My stomach flips as Owen makes the introductions.
    “How nice to meet you both.” Valerie McAllister smiles at us. “And don’t you look beautiful tonight.”
    “Thank you,” we reply in unison.
    William McAllister grins. “You both look like you could use a drink.”
    You have no idea.
    “Callie works for the Journal ,” Owen says as he leads Lorie to her seat. My friend’s barely in her chair before she’s nervously downing her glass of champagne.
    I hate her.
    Mrs. McAllister motions toward the table. “You should join us, Callie.”
    “Oh, thank you, but I’m actually working tonight. I need to interview a few donors