Carmen gazed up at him as they swayed to the sound of the music.
"I can't imagine why either would matter to her?"
When he looked uncomfortable, she smiled.
"That's what I thought."
"I wasn't interested in her," he said quickly.
Carmen lifted her brows. "Oh I know. You had eyes only for Tessa."
His neck colored and he frowned. "I didn't even know Tessa then."
Carmen sighed. "And the list goes on and on."
They stopped dancing and he gazed down at her with a solemn expression.
"You're the only one for me, Carmen."
"I was teasing you, Alex. You were almost thirty when we met. As sweet as you are, I knew I couldn't be the only one who ever loved you."
"Sweet?" The wry smile returned and they resumed dancing. "I'm sure my heritage attracted more than anything else."
Carmen frowned. "Yes, I suppose for those who knew of it when they met you. Money means a lot to some people. But you are sweet ..." She smiled. "And handsome."
He sighed. "She said I thought I was better than her - and my family."
Carmen laid her head on his chest. Why had it never occurred to her that wealthy people carried such a burden? When they first met, she had assumed he would be bored without the luxuries she assumed he was accustomed to. People assumed a lot about others. Alex had endured a lot of embarrassment because of the relationship between his mother and biological father - and now this. Small wonder he had tried to bury that part of his life.
When the dance ended, Alex got them some punch and they sat down at a table. A few minutes later they were joined by a girl Carmen hadn't seen since high school.
"Carmen," Lillie gasped. "I couldn't believe it when I saw you dancing with someone besides Josh! Where is he now?"
Carmen glanced at Alex, but he was watching someone across the room. Surely he wouldn't be so sensitive about that name now. She turned her attention back to Lillie.
"Josh died in a car accident about five years ago."
The smile left Lillie's face. "Oh, I'm sorry." She glanced at Alex. "How long have you two been married?"
"Seven years in August," Carmen said.
Lillie frowned. "Oh, then you and Josh never married?"
Carmen shook her head. "No." It wasn't something she wanted to discuss.