10. Goldie
Chapter 10
Goldie
M Y HANDS ARE shaking as I prop the phone up and FaceTime Willa. She answers almost immediately, and her eyes widen as she takes me in.
“What do you think?”
“Your hair!” Willa gasps.
“It’s a wash.” I wave her concern away. “Wanted to see how the other half lived.” Instead of my usual blond tresses, I did a temporary brunette dye job. The color is much closer to what I think my hair might naturally look like, and it makes my blue eyes pop.
“Holy cow, Goldie,” she breathes. “You’re stunning. ”
I huff out a laugh. “As much as I blew on this outfit, I better.”
I went totally against what I’d normally do. For an event like this, my instinct was to pick something in yellow. Instead, I’m in a dark blue satin number with a plunging neckline to below my breasts, that then falls in tight pleats to the ground. The back is a simple lace-up, leaving most of my skin exposed. It’s simple, but gorgeous all the same. I’ve accessorized with black strappy sandals, black satin opera gloves that hide my typewriter wrist tattoo, and a lace mask.
“Hold on.” I grab the mask and put it on, then twirl for her. “What do you think?”
“I think I wouldn’t recognize you if I hadn’t seen it for myself,” she answers.
Good. It’s exactly what I wanted. I can’t explain it, but something tells me to hold back what I really look like just a little longer.
An alert from Blinding Love drops onto the front of the phone, blocking Willa’s face from view.
“James just texted,” I murmur, stepping forward to open it up.
“What’s it say? He better not be canceling or I’ll hunt him down and cut him.”
I giggle. “Dang, Willa. Big sis don’t play.”
“Damn skippy.”
Scanning the message, I tell her, “He’s suggesting we have a code word.”
Willa’s face goes pink.
I narrow my eyes. “What’s that look for?”
She presses her lips together. “Nothing.”
“That’s not nothing. Oh my God.” Realization dawns. “This is something sexual with you and Reid, isn’t it?”
She gets even redder, and I shake my head, laughing.
“Out with it,” I demand.
“It’s not the same,” she protests. “We have a safe word, not a code word.”
“A safe—Willa Dean Dash ! Are you a,” I lower my voice, though why I do it is anyone’s guess, “ rope bunny ? How many kinks do you have?”
She covers her face. “We’re not talking about my kinks.”
I squeal. “Holy shit! I’m so impressed.” I fan my face. “Hell, even I got a little hot thinking about that. Not about you two, good Lord, that’s nauseating, but just, you know, generally.”
She quirks a brow. “When was the last time you got laid?”
I hold up a finger. “Okay, first of all, we’re not trying to get me all depressed right before what could be an amazing night. And secondly, look at you, talking about safe words and getting laid. Who even are you anymore?”
She laughs. “Whatever. Have fun. Be safe. And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
I pretend to consider this. “You know, it used to be that I would absolutely do the things you wouldn’t do. But now? I don’t know,” I singsong.
“You’re never letting this go, are you?”
“Never. Love you!” I blow her a kiss and disconnect.
By the time I get out of my Uber and take in the swanky hotel on the fancy side of town, my stomach is in knots. What if all of this has been a gigantic ruse to kidnap me? And is ‘kidnap’ the word they use when adults are taken?
I shake my head and shut the thoughts down. I can’t let myself go down this thought process or I’ll be a complete disaster.
Or more of a disaster than I already am. Clearly.
“Miss?”
I startle and look up to find a man holding the hotel door open for me. “Yes?”
He smiles. “Would you like to come in?”
“Oh! Um, yes. Sorry. Thanks.” I smooth my hands over my dress, grip my clutch like it’s a weapon and I’m walking into a den of zombies, and move forward.
The ballroom is decked out like something from a fairytale. Thick curtains of cream and black are draped around the walls, and a small band plays jazz music in the corner. A disco ball turns slowly high in the air, sending sparkles of light around the room as it goes. Giant chandeliers are generously spaced, their crystals catching the ball’s light and sending it back. People are everywhere, dressed in gorgeous gowns and fancy tuxedos.
I’m suddenly self-conscious in my simple blue gown, but at the same time, I can’t fathom having worn something as elegant as what some of the women are dressed in.
I make a beeline for the bar, knowing I need a drink to calm my nerves. We’d said to meet at seven, but I made sure to get here nearly an hour ahead of time. No way was I going to let James see me before I saw him.
At the bar, I order a glass of white wine and turn to face the crowd, scanning to make sure I haven’t missed him. He said he’d be in a cowboy hat, which, of course, made me smile like a total fool.
A couple on the floor catches my attention, and I look closer. The man is tall and broad-shouldered, and built like a tank. His dark auburn hair is tamed more than I’ve ever seen it, and in his arms is an absolute stunner of a woman. It’s Ox…with a woman ?
This night just got a lot more interesting. As I watch, Ox’s hand slides down the woman’s back possessively, then he pulls her close and presses a kiss to her lips. The whole thing is incredibly sensual, and it feels like I’m watching something I shouldn’t. Clearing my throat, I take a sip of the cool wine and look away.
“Hey, Goldie.”
I nearly jump out of my skin. “Ox?” Then, I look back at the dance floor and exhale a laugh. “That’s Levi out there, isn’t it?”
Ox grins. “It is.”
“Wait.” The blood drains from my face. “How did you know it was me?”
He winks behind his mask. “I’m just that good.”
My eyes bug out. “Seriously?”
He nods. “No.”
I swat his arm. “Asshole.”
He laughs. “Your sister told me what you looked like. Otherwise I’d have no chance. You look beautiful,” he says softly.
I grin. “Thanks, Ox. And you look very dashing yourself.”
He looks down at the dark blue suit he’s sporting. He really does look incredible, and I’m kind of mad at myself for not realizing it wasn’t him on the floor out there. For one, Ox has a beard. “Thanks.”
“Anyone here catch your eye?”
He gives a noncommittal shrug. “Maybe. And what about you? You’re meeting someone, right?”
I swallow, nerves hitting me all over again. “Yes.”
He nods, studying me. “Well, I’ll be around if you need anything, yeah?”
“Thanks, Ox.”
He takes his leave, and I glance at my watch. It’s getting closer to when James will be here. My heartbeat kicks into overdrive.
Breathe, Goldie. You’ve got this. And hey, Ox is here. So if this goes sideways, he’ll kick the guy’s ass.
I take a deep breath and blow it out.
A few minutes later, I see a man who must be James enter the room, and my heart basically stops.
He’s tall, but not too tall, and has a slim build. He’s wearing the black cowboy hat, as promised, and a simple black mask. He begins to make his way to the bar, scanning the crowd as though he’s looking for someone, and it allows me time to observe him a little more.
Something about him—his walk, maybe?—is familiar.
The closer he gets, the more I can’t breathe. I shouldn’t be this nervous. Why am I so freaking nervous?
And then he’s near me, elbows resting softly on the bar as he faces one way while I’m still leaning with my back against the bar.
His scent. I know that scent.
Then he speaks. “Snuffleupagus walks alone.”
Our eyes meet, and I nearly faint.
Because the man I’m staring at is Matthew Brodigan.