Chapter 21 Bubbly – Rory
BUBBLY
RORY
Philips knocked on my door at precisely five p.m. “I have your gown, Miss,” he said, formally dropping into a bow.
“Thank you.”
He hustled inside the room, carrying a garment bag.
“What happened to Francesca, the maid?”
“She was terminated,” Philips said matter-of-factly. “Not following protocol.”
“Ah.” He meant Francesca wasn’t following Rhodes’s protocol, likely because she was too busy following Miranda’s.
I watched as Philips hung up the garment bag and unzipped it. I was curious about the ubiquitous butler. “What about you, Philips—have you worked for the Barringtons for a long time?”
“Since I was eighteen,” he replied. “My father and mother both worked for Mr. and Mrs. Barrington senior, Rhodes’s grandparents. Serving the Barringtons is in our blood, as they say.”
“Wow. So you’ve known Rhodes since he was a little boy?”
“Indeed.”
He pulled out the gown, and I gasped. It was pale blue, with a fitted bodice and a flowing skirt, something a princess might wear. “That’s so beautiful.”
Philips smiled. “Mr. Barrington thinks so—he picked it out.”
“He did?”
“Yes. Now, let’s not stand there gawking, young lady. Your hair looks—and I mean no offense—like a rat’s nest that has spent the day in a pool.”
“It did spend the day in the pool,” I admitted.
“Exactly. Please bathe and let me know when you’re ready. One of my many talents is hair and makeup,” he sniffed. “I’ll be waiting in the hallway.”
I smiled to myself as I showered, rinsing the chlorine from my hair. Rhodes chose a dress for me. And what a dress! I wasn’t sure why I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face, so I decided not to think about it. Still, warmth spread through me as I hurried through my shower.
For some reason, I couldn’t wait to see my fake fiancé again.
It was strange how he’d booted me from his office that morning.
We had too much wedding planning to do in too little time.
But he’d been looking at me funny, and then we’d been talking about guest seating, and then suddenly, it was as if he couldn’t get rid of me fast enough.
I was bewildered as I’d left his office.
But the fact that he’d picked out a special dress for me? It felt like a reconciliation.
I hadn’t let myself dwell on it, but I’d had a great night with him watching baseball, even though he was an Evil Yankees fan.
Sitting in our sweats, eating burgers, watching the game…
For the first time, Rhodes Barrington had seemed like a real person to me, not just a suit with a contract and a bunch of rules.
I hadn’t wanted to like him—it was safer not to. I had to protect myself, after all, in what could only be described as a very strange situation, one in which I had little control. I was at the mercy of Rhodes’s whims. If he was happy with my performance, my family was safe.
If he wasn’t… I had everything to lose. It was a very one-sided arrangement.
If he’d picked out a dress for me, maybe I would be safe.
He needed me—I knew that. But I was here at his behest, my entire future hanging in the balance.
If this didn’t work out, I’d have to repay him for the farm’s mortgage, and I would never be able to do that.
It was imperative that I stay on his good side.
Our contract could save us both. Rhodes could gain custody of his nephew and control his company. I could get legal guardianship of Josie and Bo and make more money than I’d ever dreamed of. I could keep my family safe, which was all I’d ever wanted.
I didn’t like lying, and I hated using Luke as leverage for our backstory, but Rhodes was right: we were doing it for the greater good. Miranda was not the warm, stable person that little boy needed.
Maybe Rhodes and I weren’t perfect, but we were better than that. I hoped.
Refusing once again to think things through, I dried myself off and called for Philips.
“Here we are,” the butler said, turning me around to face the mirror. “You look like you just stepped out of a fairytale.”
“Oh! That’s nice of you.” But I couldn’t believe my own reflection.
The dress was a dream: blue, flowy, and modest, yet somehow still showed off my curves.
I was transformed by its beauty, and the magic Philips had performed on my hair and makeup.
I looked like someone who belonged at Barrington Manor.
Money could buy crazy things, I guessed.
“Don’t frown—you look lovely,” Philips ordered.
I plastered on a smile. “You did some nice work, Philips. I appreciate you.”
“I only highlighted your natural beauty, Miss Rory.” But he sounded pleased by the compliment. “Now, let’s get you to the party. It’s almost time for cocktail hour.”
I followed him down the hall. “Who will be attending tonight?”
“More board members have arrived; they will all be in attendance. Mrs. Barrington will be here, of course. Luke and Maria dined earlier, so the boy will be spared another adult function.”
Philips glanced at me. “And Rhodes’s cousin has arrived—Cousin Andrew. His mother was Rhodes’s aunt, but she passed away a few years ago.”
I nodded. “Got it.”
We reached the formal living room. Several of the board members were already inside, sipping cocktails. I spotted Rhodes chatting with another small group.
“I should advise you to watch out for Cousin Andrew,” Philips said, keeping his voice low. “He likes his Sapphire martinis. He’s been known to get a bit grabby after a few.”
“Oh. Oh dear. Okay, thanks,” I stammered, scanning the room for Grabby Cousin Andrew.
“You look lovely, Miss Rory. Enjoy your evening.” Philips bowed and disappeared down the hallway.
I envied the butler. Facing the fancy party, with the formally dressed board members clutching crystal goblets of wine, a string quartet playing tasteful classical music, and Grabby Cousin Andrew lurking somewhere—I wished I could disappear, too.
My dress was gorgeous, but I would never fit in at an event like this.
“Why’re you just standing there?” Miranda was suddenly beside me, looking icy and perfect in an emerald satin column gown that grazed the floor. Her hair was pulled back into a tasteful chignon, and her lips were painted a vibrant red.
“Because I haven’t gone in yet,” I said, master of the obvious. “You look nice.”
She stuck her nose in the air and swept past me. “You look like Disney cosplay.”
“Thank you…?” I didn’t actually know what she meant, but considering the source, I knew it wasn’t a compliment.
Miranda made a beeline for a group of board members. They greeted her warmly as she air-kissed them, smiling like she was a nice person, a lying liar face if I’d ever seen one.
“Rory!” Rhodes called to me from across the room.
He was as tall and impossibly good-looking as ever in a navy suit with a red tie, his dark hair swept back from his face, his shoulders hulking beneath his jacket.
My insides quivered as our eyes locked—I was legitimate Jell-O, relieved as hell that feelings were invisible.
He beamed as I headed toward him. Did I imagine it, or did everyone stop and stare at us? I did feel like a princess, and also, like I was floating on air as I made my way to the handsome billionaire. The moment stretched out. He reached out his hand for me.
If this had been real, it would’ve been so epic.
“Darling, you look lovely.” Rhodes wrapped his arms around me, and there was nothing pretend about the warmth spreading through me at his touch.
“Thank you.” I couldn’t help it: I smiled at him. “You look very handsome.”
“I know.” His grin deepened. “Would you like a drink—a lemonade? Or we have some non-alcoholic Prosecco.”
“That sounds great.” I had no idea what Prosecco was.
Rhodes excused us from the group, then took my hand and led me to the bar. An older man I hadn’t seen before—balding, with watery blue eyes, was waiting for his drink. “Rhodes!” He boomed, and it didn’t escape my notice that Rhodes winced a little.
“Hello, Andrew. Glad you could make it.” Rhodes didn’t sound like he meant it.
“I wouldn’t miss the meeting for the world, you know that.
” The bartender slid a martini to him, and he grasped it, taking a hurried sip before raising his glass.
“And as one of the few remaining Barringtons, I consider it my duty to mourn with you, to honor my uncle and cousin. May they rest in peace.”
“Thank you,” Rhodes said stiffly.
He ordered our drinks, and Andrew’s blue eyes zeroed in on me. “You must be the fiancé.”
“I am.” I held out my hand. “I’m Rory Harris. It’s nice to meet you, Andrew. I’m so sorry for your loss.”
He took my hand and kissed it, quite sloppily. “The pleasure is all mine.”
Ew. I snatched my hand back, resisting the urge to wipe it off on my dress, and gratefully accepted my drink. Rhodes glowered as he turned back toward his cousin. “How’s everything with business?”
Andrew shrugged. “It could be better. We were almost acquired last quarter, but it fell through…”
Cousin Andrew talked at length about the rather dire conditions of his company, his latest divorce, and the unfairness he’d experienced being ousted from some board or another. I listened, nodding, smiling, or making sympathetic sounds when appropriate. He reminded me of someone…
After a few minutes, it hit me: my mother.
Cousin Andrew reminded me of my mother, even though they couldn’t be more different in appearance, upbringing, and social stature.
But what they had in common was complaining.
Andrew complained about this, Andrew complained about that, and Andrew didn’t seem to think he was to blame for any of his problems.
When my mother broke up with her most recent roadie boyfriend—and blamed him for it—I should probably send her Andrew’s number.
“I’m so sorry,” Rhodes said, interrupting him, “but Rory and I are needed across the room. Good to see you, Andrew.”
“Yes, quite.” Andrew looked sour at being cut short. Still, he found enough spirit to stare at my chest and watch me too closely as I turned around.
“Not my favorite cousin,” Rhodes said.
“I thought he was your only cousin.”
“He’s my only first cousin.” He grinned at me, eyes sparkling. “You look incredible in that dress.”
“Thank you. Philips said you picked it out?”
“Maybe I did.” Rhodes smiled, not giving anything away. “In any event, I have excellent taste.”
I took a sip of my Prosecco, my lips puckering in distaste.
He laughed at me. “I take it you don’t like it?”
“No, it’s fine,” I lied badly.
“Don’t make yourself drink it. Just hold it.”
“Yes, Sir.” I smiled at him.
His eyes sparkled as he leaned over me. “I like it when you call me ‘Sir.’”
Suddenly, the room was getting hot. “You do?”
“I do,” he growled, but then he seemed to remember himself and took a step back. “I meant to tell you—my legal team prepared the paperwork to file your guardianship petition. I’ll need you to sign the documents tomorrow.”
“Really?” There’d been so much happening, I wondered if this part of our agreement would be put on the back burner. “That’s incredible. I can’t thank you enough, Rhodes.”
We looked at each other for a beat, and again, I felt like I saw a flash of the real Rhodes Barrington. He was a man who was doing what he’d said he’d do. He had integrity.
“It really means a lot to me.”
“You’re welcome.” He seemed sincere.
Suddenly, I was glad I hadn’t run off down the hall after Philips. Our relationship might be fake, but I was finding myself authentically drawn to Rhodes. He was like a magnet, pulling me closer.
What would it be like, I caught myself wondering, to have a man in my life? One who showed up for me? One who did what he said he was going to do?
As Rhodes whisked me off to meet the new board members, I pushed the confusing thoughts aside. But although they were gone for now, my fake fiancé was not.
I decided to stay close to his side all night, just to see what it felt like.
To not be alone.