4. Lily
Lily
S haring details about the worst birthday ever submerged me in a wave of melancholy.
Even though my mom has passed away, I can’t consider myself an orphan since one of my parents is still alive.
My reality shatters that fact. Based on my nonexistent relationship with my half-brothers and my frosty relationship with my father—people I share DNA with—I am an orphan.
The selfless way Michaela––a stranger––welcomed me into her circle, left me unsettled for several long minutes after retreating to my hotel room.
It’s only when Mikki texted me to let me know she’d be at the bar with Gage, it hit me. We never exchanged photos.
This topsy-turvy day is preventing me from thinking straight.
When I enter the Baudelaire Bar, I suppress a laugh.
My Parisian-born best friend has so many issues with La Vie en Rose —including the contemporary versions of Edith Piaf’s iconic song. I don’t have time to dwell on the song, because Mikki is waving me over.
Her and her husband flank a man?—
Scratch that.
He’s a gorgeous demigod.
Sweet mercy.
My previous chaperones weren’t male models, but I didn’t expect them to be. Gage Hollingsworth is male model material.
That handsome face.
That sculpted jaw, dusted with a 5 o’clock shadow.
That Grecian nose.
That slick haircut that accentuates his chiseled cheekbones.
Those lips…
I was so pissed off at my father, I didn’t bother doing a search to find out more about Gage. I kept our communications brief, sharing the bare minimum, since I was going to hang out with him for only a few hours. I didn’t even bother asking for a photo. Now, I see the error of my ways.
I would’ve much preferred being prepared for our first encounter.
When I approach the trio, Gage gets to his feet.
My eyes move up, and up, and up.
He circles the high table and reaches me with a long stride. He moves with the self-assurance of a man who holds the world in the palms of his hands. Compared to my father and half-brothers’ short statures, his height, plays in his favor.
My father was right. At his size, Gage is more of a bodyguard than a chaperone.
Michaela and Phoenix are right on his heels.
Holy hotness.
The man is clad in an impeccable black suit that hugs his bulky male lines. Even this late in the day, his white shirt is crisp and his silk tie isn’t askew. Confidence radiates off him in waves.
Gage’s tailor has been touched by God himself, and he’s doing all women a favor.
Given I’ve lived in Switzerland, Paris, and now New York, a man in a suit shouldn’t have this effect on me.
Maybe it’s the towering height, or the broad shoulders that stretch his suit jacket, or the pocket handkerchief––a touch of elegance that never goes out of style––but Gage Hollingsworth is suit porn personified.
I met Phoenix when Mikki and I were chatting in the lobby. He’s tall, but Gage towers over him by a good two inches. Even in my four-inch heels, I’m tiny compared to this man. He’s several years older than me. Closer to Phoenix’s age—thirty-something.
Being in his presence is sensory overload.
“You’re Lily.”
Dear God. His voice is a husky, sultry rasp. The rich timbre reverberates straight down through my body, stopping right between my legs. On his tongue, my name is as soft as silk, sliding over my skin.
He extends a hand.
I slide mine into his massive one. His touch causes my heart to stop.
My breath hitches.
For a beat, I can only stare at our joined hands.
Mikki places a hand on my shoulder. “Lily?”
Huh?
I meet her eyes, which are emerald-green compared to Gage’s translucent seafoam ones.
I’ve never seen eyes that color before.
He studies me like a fine piece of art he plans on buying.
I blush.
“Are you okay?” Mikki interrupts my gawk fest.
Oh, God, I’m making a fool out of myself .
Pick your jaw off the floor.
I snap out of it. “Sorry, it’s been a trying day. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Gage.”
“Likewise.” He gives my hand a good shake before letting go. The movement is a bit jerky.
He stares at his hand for a beat before returning his focus on me.
His dark brows meet in the middle. His eyes crinkle in the corners as he studies me. It’s as if his lush lips frown as much as his brows. “You’re not what I expected.”
His bluntness catches me off guard, his words hitting me with a swift kick to the belly.
Another man who thinks I don’t measure up.
“Gage, be good.” Mikki elbows him.
“You might want to try that again,” Phoenix says.
Gage’s pale gaze flickers to me, burning into my skin.
He shifts his weight from one foot to the other.
The movement forces my eyes to his feet––his very long feet.
And those shoes. I’m willing to bet the brownstone I live in, they’re bespoke.
“That dress…” He waves a finger my way.
I expect him to elaborate, but he doesn’t.
He crosses his beefy arms over his chest, a brow rises as he studies me.
Or is it eats me alive? I can’t tell.
His gaze travels up and down the length of my body, before settling on my face. He stares at me long and hard, as if all my secrets are stamped on my forehead.
His presence is magnetic.
Am I overdressed? “Did I commit a fashion faux-pas?” Embarrassment uncoils in my belly. My worried gaze meets Mikki’s. “Is it too much? I can go change?— ”
“The dress is perfect on you,” she says. “Gage, Lily looks pretty. Doesn’t she?”
His expression pinches, and he responds with a grunt, followed by a scowl.
Do I offend him?
Perhaps I’m guilty by association. After all, our only contact is my father, and Fisher Edgington masters the art of pissing people off.
“You’ll have to excuse my friend,” Phoenix says. “He’s normally disagreeable, moody, surly, and brusque, but he had a bitch of a day, so he’s more irascible than usual.”
A grumpy bodyguard. Fun times ahead.
Gage’s eyes shift to the side. “Love you too, bro.”
“If you get past the gruff exterior, he’s somewhat tolerable,” Phoenix says.
Unable to help myself, I laugh.
Gage’s eyes widen and the scowl returns to his face.
This guy can’t stand me.
If his opinion of me is based on whatever relationship he has with my father, I have zero interest in proving him wrong. I didn’t even want to contact him in the first place. I should’ve stuck to my guns.
“If your day bitch-slapped you, I wouldn’t be offended if you bowed out.” I purse my lips. “You don’t have to accompany me. I’m a big girl. I’ll go alone.” There, I gave him a way out.
Mikki flinches .
Phoenix cocks an eyebrow.
Gage sucks in a sharp breath, his nostrils flaring.
Good God, the man’s eyes are showstoppers. The unique shade of green is arresting. They’re stunning—almond-shaped under the frowning slashes of his brows and framed by long lashes. Men shouldn’t have lashes that pretty .
When wintergreen eyes narrow in on me, I brace myself for what’s about to come out of his mouth.
“No, I’m coming.” That comes out like a dark rumble.
You don’t have to be so happy about it. “Gage, I know you’re doing this as a favor for my father. Don’t strain yourself. I understand if?—”
“I said, I’m coming.” His tone brooks no argument.
“Are you going to be this sunny all evening?”
The expressions on Phoenix and Mikki’s faces are priceless.
Gage’s lips pull up in a forced grin. “Is this better?”
I make a face. “Much.”
“Oh, you kids are going to have fun tonight.” Phoenix pokes the bear.
“Shut up, Konig.”
And the bear growls.