Chapter 2 #2
“It just happened yesterday!” I snap, then take a deep breath.
“You know what? I don’t have the energy for this.
I’ll see you both in a couple of weeks. Maybe by then, you’ll remember I’m still a Baldwin and summon the decency to publicly stand up for me, be on my side.
Because all I’ve heard from you in the media so far is crickets. ”
I hang up, feeling remarkably liberated. To make sure there are no further interruptions, I switch my phone to silent before looking up at August, Dominic, and Theo.
“You’re serious about this trip?” I ask.
“Aren’t you?” Dominic replies, the shadow of a smile fluttering across his lips.
“I am now.”
The first-class section of our plane is fabulous. Extra wide leather seating that reclines into a bed and foot room that lasts forever, with just the right amount of soft lighting to help you relax.
I sink into my seat, belt off, my fingers wrapped around the stem of a half-empty champagne flute.
“This is nice,” I say, glancing around.
“Don’t you usually fly first class?” Dominic asks, somewhat confused.
“Actually, no. I may be a Baldwin, but my finances are quite limited until I gain access to my trust fund.”
My comment piques Theo’s interest as he tops off his champagne glass. There’s a bottle of Veuve Cliquot on ice sitting on the oval, black glass table between us. Dominic sits next to me, while Theo and August sit across from us.
“Explain that to me,” Theo says. “The whole trust fund bit. You mentioned it during the rehearsal dinner last week, but there was too much going on in that place to ask any follow-up questions.”
“Follow-up questions?” I chuckle softly. “What’s there to follow-up on? Dad died when I was twelve. Crystal was fourteen. He left each of us a trust fund that we’re supposed to have access to when we turn twenty-five. Crystal is halfway through squandering hers already.”
“You turn twenty-five in the fall, right?” August asks.
I empty my glass. He swiftly refills it with a smooth, barely noticeable move. The three of them together, so close to me, has every chemical reaction bursting through my body. Lighting fires in my core and putting naughty ideas in my head.
“That’s right,” I reply. “The trust fund also includes my twenty-five percent share of Baldwin Enterprises. Crystal and Mom both got twenty-five percent as well, and the remainder belongs to the executive board. Dad was pretty specific in his will about the details, the roles and responsibilities, and so on.”
“So your funds until then are limited,” Theo confirms.
I nod as I take a sip. “Yes. The last thing my family paid for was my college tuition and my apartment in Manhattan. Everything else is my responsibility. Honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“But you work for Baldwin Enterprises.”
“Yes, for the past couple of years. In their marketing department,” I reply with a heavy sigh. “I wish they had more faith in me, but maybe I’ll have a more impactful say after I get my company shares.”
Dominic shakes his head slowly. “I think it’s sweet how you try to protect your family’s reputation, but you should be aware that we all know what’s going on over there.”
“Excuse me?” I ask, even though I already know what he’s talking about.
I’d hoped Matthew had kept those sordid details to himself. Clearly, I expected more of a man who couldn’t even honor me as a woman, let alone as a Baldwin.
“There are rumors swirling in the financial market that Helen Baldwin is trying to push Crystal through as the next CEO. The executive board has resisted the move so far, but Helen’s been greasing some wheels, paying some bribes, and rubbing some elbows,” Dominic says.
“They say it’s only a matter of time before Crystal gets your father’s seat, with Helen right by her side.
They’re looking to either keep you in the marketing department, or to boot you out of the company altogether. ”
I can’t help but laugh. “Like that’ll ever happen.
My mom and sister running the company? Come on.
I mean, they’re not the easiest people to be around but we’re still family.
Besides, I’m getting my share in the company in a few months.
That’s not going to change. I may be the less desirable Baldwin, but I still have a say in what happens next. ”
Dominic’s head swivels so fast I’m afraid it might pop off. His gaze drills into me. “What did you just say?” he asks, his voice low, sending a shiver down my spine as he leans closer.
“What did I say?” I can smell the champagne on his breath. A mixture of danger and decadence lingers in his eyes. I want to see where this leads.
“The less desirable Baldwin,” Dominic repeats my words.
When he says them, they don’t ring true. They sound like an insult and not the reality I’ve been trying to convince myself of. He doesn’t even have to tell me that I’ve been lying to myself. It’s written all over his face.
“Oh,” I whisper. “That.”
“Phoebe, beauty and desirability come in a variety of shapes and sizes,” Dominic says, his hand covering mine on the armrest. His touch sends a thousand tiny fires burning through my veins. “You, my darling, are a particularly superb kind of beautiful and desirable woman.”
I scoff. “You don’t mean that.”
“Why not? Because you’ve been told men are more attracted to skinny women?” August scoffs. “Or is it because Matthew kept pressuring you to lose weight so you’d look more like your sister and her bestie, Georgina.”
Ah, yes. Georgina. Internationally renowned top model and socialite. One of the most desired women on the planet. Every photo with me standing or sitting next to her highlighted why she’s the preferred choice and why I’m considered sloppy seconds, at best. Or so my sister would say.
“It’s the way of the world, isn’t it?” I reply, unable to break eye contact from Dominic.
Theo laughs lightly. “Beauty is subjective, at best. Personally, I find that my taste varies. I’m attracted to all kinds of women.
It isn’t until I get to know them better that I find them truly beautiful or not.
And I can tell you from experience that a lot of these so-called elite women—the supermodel types—are empty on the inside.
Miserable. Insecure. Made hungry and small by a society that wants to keep them pliable and easier to manipulate. ”
“You, on the other hand,” Dominic chimes in, “are voluptuous. Men painted women like you in centuries past. Poems were written about your curves. Songs were composed to honor your beauty. Don’t think for a second that we’d have said yes to this trip if we weren’t drawn to you.”
The air shifts between us. The chemistry swells to the point where I need my brain to do a full switch from yesterday to tomorrow, because my world is about to change in ways I didn’t even think were possible.
I got on this plane feeling unlovable, as the lesser Baldwin. But these men are doting on me, determined to make me feel like I’m the prettiest girl in the world. Determined to make me feel seen.
“You’re too kind, gentlemen,” I say, trying to crack through the tension.
Heat gathers in my core, tightening my throat and making it harder to breathe as a whiff of Dominic’s cologne tickles my nose. Musk and tobacco notes dance as the fragrance plays a game with my head, creating decadent scenes in my imagination.
“We’re simply being honest,” he says.
“And it looks like we’re going to be spending the next couple of weeks reminding you of who you really are, Phoebe Baldwin,” August decrees, somewhat amused as I finally find the strength to look away from his twin brother, only to find myself trapped by another pair of dark, hungry eyes. “The best Baldwin there is.”
I allow myself a small smile and take a sip of champagne. Slowly but surely, the bubbles of sweet alcohol work their way through my system, loosening my frayed nerves as I give each of them an approving nod.
“I might as well enjoy this trip, right?”
“Damn right,” Theo replies.
My phone vibrates. He notices.
“One thing we’re going to have to do while we’re in Hawaii is limit screen time,” he adds. “It’ll take a while for this whole thing to die down.”
“I’m not sure I want it to die down,” Dominic says.
“Really? I definitely do,” I mutter as I check the incoming message.
“Matthew did more than just hurt you with the way he ended things. He basically made an enemy out of the three of us,” Dominic insists. “I’m not one for petty vengeance, but I do want to see that prick suffer for what he did.”
“I’m genuinely ashamed that we were friends with him to begin with,” August adds with a heavy sigh.
My nerves tick up as I read the message.
You think this is a game? Don’t get too comfortable.
Unknown number, but the words are clear. I don’t know who this is, but they seem determined to hurt me. Why am I the one being targeted still? And for what reason? Matthew got what he wanted. I’m just trying to move on with my life.
“Something wrong?” Dominic asks.
I realize I’ve been quiet for too long. I put the phone away and pick up my champagne glass, mustering a generous smile. “Just hoping we’ve got enough of this fine bubbly for the rest of the flight.”
“Perks of flying first class,” Theo says. “Though I think the pleasure of our company trumps every measure of alcohol on this plane.”
“I’m inclined to agree,” I shoot back with a giggle.
We clink our glasses, Dominic’s thumb stealing a brief touch against my hand. It’s a delightful sensation, quietly carrying the promise of even better things to come. Should I decide to take it to the next level, that is.
And I just might.
Do I think this is a game? No. But I’ll be damned if I’ll let anyone rain on my parade ever again.