Chapter 7
«Are you sure it'll be all right, Ben?» Velvet pushed a strand of her lustrous hair back and studied the man. He shrugged and gave her a weak smile.
«I don't see why not. Janet and I are trying to get things back together and having a party seemed like a good way of starting. It gets us into a crowd and lets us move around if we get too uncomfortable with each other.»
«I mean . . .» The woman's voice trailed off. Ben obviously knew what she meant. While they hadn't fucked all that many times, there was real affection between them. Velvet didn't want to go to a party and have any sign of that destroying Ben's marriage.
«I know. It's okay, I tell you. Why don't you and Tony come together? That would relieve the strain all around and keep things looking proper.»
«Things are proper, Ben,» she said firmly. «And I'm sure that you and Janet will work it all out for the best.»
«I hope so,» he sighed. «Now, get out of here and I'll see both of you tonight, at my place, at seven.»
Velvet left, feeling good for a change. Ever since the round in Williamson's office, she had been feeling lower than a snake's belly. Not even Tony's bright and cheerful mood could perk her up. But now that Williamson hadn't made any further sexual demands on her, she was loosening up. This party might be just the thing for her, she decided. She went to find Tony and tell him he was taking her to the Carltons' for the evening.