Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
A fter lunch, her mother and Zia Ella insisted on inspecting Bowie’s, so they all headed to the bar where Lucy had the joy of meeting Carter, one of the head bartenders, who shamelessly flirted Maria and Ella into a puddle of coy adoration until they honestly believed the idea of hosting the engagement party in a bar had been their idea all along.
“Did he just do that?” Lucy asked Hope as she tasted a specialty cocktail Carter had made for her and declared it be called the “Barone ball buster.”
Ella and Maria were already on their second.
Hope laughed, sipping at her own virgin ball buster as she regarded the bartender affectionately. “Carter has the unique ability to charm the pants off a snake. Gabe sees difficult clients coming and shoves Carter in front of them. He can make anyone walk away thinking they’re best friends and Bowie’s is the best establishment they’ve ever been to.”
Lucy appreciated Carter’s boyish good looks. He was tall and slim. A sleeve of beautifully designed tattoos ran up his arm in a way that would have made most men look tougher, but it only made Carter seem like a piece of nouveau art.
“We compensate him well enough so hopefully he never thinks of leaving,” Hope told her. “He’s an asset for sure.”
“Will he be bartending tomorrow night?” Lucy was quite enjoying her ball buster.
“Oh yes. Besides, I don’t think your mother and aunt would have it any other way now. They’re positively smitten.”
It was true. Both middle-aged women were fawning over their new friend, watching raptly as he told them Bowie’s history, and how lucky they were to host a party here.
“I should go see if the kitchen needs any extra help for tomorrow,” Hope told Lucy. “Let me know if you need anything, okay?” She moved off toward the back, giving Carter a thumbs up as she passed behind Maria and Ella.
Seconds later, an arm slung around Lucy’s shoulder, and she looked up to find her sister. “Imagine how different life would have been if he’d been around to distract Mom while we were growing up. The son she never had,” Vanessa mused, watching the scene. “They would have had the boy they always wanted to take over the family business and propagate the family genes, and we wouldn’t have had to endure their constant nagging.”
“But then you and I wouldn’t have bonded as we conspired for hours on ways to break free from under the thumb of their tyranny.”
Vanessa threw back her head and laughed in that musical way of hers. “Yes, except you never broke free. You stayed where you were. I never did figure out how you did it without going crazy.”
Duty . Their parents had made so many sacrifices for her. The least she could do was make them proud. Even though that was proving harder than anticipated.
Then there was Joel. His constant friendship, emails, phone calls, and looks of solidarity during odd business events. They’d had similar goals and drives and having him in her life had always been a reassurance.
And of course, there was the company. Barone & Sons meant so much to her. Her dream that she’d one day see their family legacy into a new generation of success was a big reason she’d stayed around. All of that and, unlike her sister, she’d never felt the urgent need to leave. She loved her crazy family, even when the relentless chaos grated on her every nerve. She’d never disapproved of her sister leaving to pursue modeling when she was only sixteen, but she wondered if Vanessa had found the happiness she was looking for out there.
The sound of their mother’s high-pitched laughter made them look over.
One of Vanessa’s perfectly microblade eyebrows shot up her forehead. “She never laughs like that for us,” she said. “Do you think we can adopt him?”
Lucy looped her arm around her sister’s shoulders and led her to a bar table off to the side. “Look on the bright side. After tomorrow, you get to jet-set back to Vancouver for your next film shoot.”
Vanessa shrugged. “Actually, I’m thinking of taking a break from acting.”
“What?” Lucy tried to school the shock from her voice.
Acting had always been her sister’s dream. After a couple of years modeling, Vanessa had gotten a commercial gig for a high-end clothing brand where she had a few speaking lines, and she pursued that dream ever since. Transitioning from modeling to acting hadn’t been easy. The world of the latter never quite taking the former seriously. The grind had been uphill, but then she earned a permanent spot on an up-and-coming paranormal drama series, and Lucy had assumed Vanessa was well on her way up the hill.
But maybe she wasn’t? Was that why she’d gone radio silent for the last several weeks? The way her sister had looked when she’d walked into Natalie’s salon had poked her sixth sense that all was not right. “Is everything okay, Vanessa?”
Another shrug of her sister’s shoulders was her only answer.
“You’d tell me if it wasn’t, right? If something was wrong?”
A shadow of a smile ghosted Vanessa’s lips. “Of course. Don’t worry about me. I just need a break.”
“Will they let you take one?” It didn’t seem like an industry that let you spontaneously take a mental-health break.
“You better believe it. Especially after Joel barged onto the set and—oh shit.” Vanessa clamped her hand over her mouth, but it was too late.
Lucy’s heart rate picked up. “What do you mean, barged onto set? What are you talking about?”
“Nothing. Don’t listen to me. I’m overwhelmed, not thinking. My imagination has a tendency to go wild. It’s very vivid, you know…”
“Vanessa Barone, tell me right now. When was Joel on your film set?” Something uncomfortable tightened in her chest.
“Really, it wasn’t what you think.” Vanessa started inspecting her nails .
“I don’t know what to think, because up until this second I didn’t know about this development.”
“Ohmigod, Lu, it’s not a development! It’s not like I called him over.” Her sister’s face twisted. “I barely know Joel. You two were way closer than I ever was. I’m like a baby sister to him. Not even. A baby cousin maybe. An annoying baby cousin who can’t take care of herself.” Vanessa flipped her long ponytail over her shoulder in a frustrated gesture. “Argh, fine. He came to get me from Vancouver a few days ago, okay?”
Silence slid between them and numbed everything. The noise in the bar faded. A few days ago? When he left abruptly, with nothing but a sticky note and pastries in his wake. “Why would he go get you?”
Vanessa sighed loudly. “Because of you. You were trying to get a hold of me for days. You’d texted me about your engagement, but so did everyone else. Jesus, that night of Mariana’s wedding, I think I got messages from every female in our family. And two from Zio Gambo. Apparently, there was an epic bathroom scene where Joel walked in and declared undying love for you.”
“Exaggeration,” Lucy said. “But go on.” She gestured with her hand impatiently.
“Anyway.” Vanessa averted her gaze. “Things in Vancouver have been complicated. We have this producer, he’s—used to getting his way. And I didn’t think I could leave, but being away when all this juicy stuff was going on for you, it made me sadder than I already was, and so I didn’t respond because I didn’t want to drag you down. But I guess I underestimated how much you really wanted me here.”
“I did. I do.” Lucy reached across the bar table to clasped Vanessa’s hand. “You’re my sister. Plus, I need your help deflecting Mom.”
A sad, half-smile cracked Vanessa’s lips. “I thought I wouldn’t be much by way of company, and Kurt, the producer, was making things…” She twirled the stem of her glass between her fingers for a few seconds. “Difficult for me.”
There was more there. Much more, and if they had been anywhere but the middle of a bar surrounded by family, she might have pried.
“And, geez, you should have seen Joel take him on. Kurt’s such a fucking bully and no one ever challenges him. But Joel was so smooth, so quietly kickass and intense, Kurt didn’t stand a chance. Anyway, the next thing I know, I’m sitting in a private jet with the Morgan name written on the side, coming home for my big sister’s fake,” she whispered this word, “engagement party.” She leaned over and gave Lucy a side hug. “He told me not to say anything to you, by the way, so you cannot tell him I told you. He’d never trust me again. Lu, you’re so lucky. But also, you deserve it, and I’m happy for you.”
Lucy’s mind was a tornado of thoughts, everything her sister had said made her dizzy. He’d disappeared to go play hero and hadn’t told her why. Again. And he told Vanessa to keep it a secret from her. Frustration tightened her chest. She’d thought they’d shared all their truths last night, but he’d left this one out.
“Why?” she asked aloud. “Why didn’t he tell me?”
Vanessa shrugged her elegant shoulders. “Maybe he wanted to surprise you? Or maybe he wanted to shield you? The paparazzi make a big deal out of everything in his life, and mine. There was no reason to draw your attention to it. He was doing a good deed. That’s all. Let him. ”
“Shield me from what?” How deeply had Joel’s life changed in four years?
Vanessa’s eyes narrowed. “Do you really not scroll the socials, sissy? Like, not even a single Google search on your guy, or what?”
Lucy frowned. “More and more I’m thinking it’s a good idea not to.”
“And you would be absolutely right.” Vanessa nodded. “The pap took pictures when they saw us together at the airport and I don’t know how those losers do it, but they make everything look compromising. He didn’t touch me even once, but somehow there’s a pic on TMZ of us boarding a plane with his hand on my back. Like how?”
Lucy choked on her drink.
Her beloved sister simply offered another casual shrug. “ Billionaire and his model mistress . Makes good press, even if it’s a load of shit.” She tossed her hand in the air. “And what the fuck is with that anyway? I might not be a billionaire, but I’ve got enough cash in the bank to retire if I wanted right now. Models have such a bad rep, like all we’re good for is looking pretty and sex.” Her gaze lowered. “Actresses aren’t much better, apparently.”
Too much information was coming at her at once. Lucy swallowed the rest of her drink and leveled her sister with a glare, her mind fixated on one thing. “There are photos of you and my fiancé floating around with the title Billionaire and His Model Mistress attached to it?”
Vanessa smirked. “Welcome to my life, Lu. And his.” Her expression softened, and this time she reached across the bar table to take Lucy’s hand. “And you wonder why he doesn’t tell you stuff? He doesn’t want to stress you out. Besides, I don’t think the drama lasted long. His money carries power. He makes things go away pretty quickly. ”
“It’s the internet, Ness!” Lucy barked. “Nothing ever goes away!” Since when was her sister this na?ve?
But maybe she wasn’t, because Vanessa’s whole body immediately tensed, shifting away from Lucy. “No shit, Lu. Tell me about it.” She sighed loudly. “Okay, maybe he can’t make things go all the way away, but he does better at it than most of us. And in this case, I think he moved pretty quickly.”
Lucy’s mind raced. The thought of rumors circulating about Joel and her sister was nauseating. Paparazzi had never followed him around before, not to her knowledge. But then again, he was a different caliber now. Apparently.
“I’m not surprised he’s head over heels for you,” Vanessa went on. “Because, hello, you’re a total catch. Smart, beautiful, patient. But a life as Joel Morgan’s wife? That’s not going to be basic. Are you sure that’s what you want? Paparazzi and the kind of power that can bend even the will of men like Kurt Robertson?” She regarded Lucy with an arched brow. “I know you two had a spontaneously wild Vegas wedding, and things were probably fantastic when you lived in a private bubble that no one knew about. But what happens when the bubble pops, Lu?”
The bubble had popped, and they’d fallen apart. What would the difference be this time?
“Speak of the devil,” Vanessa muttered under her breath. “Here comes Mr. Not Basic in the flesh, looking like a million bucks. Or shall I say, a billion?”
Lucy whipped her head to the entrance. Joel entered, all athletic grace and innate power decked out in his corporate gear. He moved like the leader of a pack of lions, with an air of authority both dangerous and magnetic. Today’s custom gray suit hugged his body like it had been designed for him alone, the dark fabric highlighting every impressive cut of his anatomy to perfection. Everything about him made it impossible not to stare. No wonder the press loved him.
“And he’s all yours, sis,” Vanessa mused, with a light pat on Lucy’s hand.
He scanned the room until he found her, and the smile that landed on his mouth when he did unlatched the butterflies caged in her stomach. They erupted in her abdomen with a force that should have been concerning, if she could have thought of anything beyond the conversation she’d just had.
As per usual, everyone vied for his attention the moment he entered the bar. Immediately, he was waylaid by a group of party planners, his sister gripping his arm to keep him in place as she pointed to the tables and chairs, outlining her plan for the set up. When he finally broke free from Hope, Gabe called to him from behind the bar, shouting something about beverage options for the next day. Even her mother stopped him, patting his cheek and laughing as she spoke. He responded with a kind smile and murmured something that had her blushing.
He’s all yours , her sister had said. But was he? Or would he always be everyone’s? The hero who everyone shared and needed?
Her thoughts spiraled even as Joel found her gaze again. This time he held it, a faint crease appearing between his eyebrows.
Despite her frustration and apprehension, one look from him was all it took for her body to respond. Heat bloomed low in her belly, working its way up to her heart and throat, and she caught her lip between her teeth as she watched him watch her.
This relentless desire, the heat and the need, hadn’t been enough before, and it wouldn’t be enough this time .
Was it selfish that she didn’t want to spend a lifetime competing with whoever needed Joel Morgan most? Or the paparazzi making her second guess herself, making her wonder if she was just another project to him.
Her frown was making her brain hurt, and Joel must have noticed, because he disentangled himself from Maria’s grip and turned toward Lucy with intent in his eyes. Removing his suit jacket as he stalked toward her, he dropped it on a nearby chair at an empty table, loosened his tie and started rolling up his shirt sleeves. She didn’t realize she hadn’t taken a breath until he was standing in front of her, and then his scent slammed into her, the intoxicating intensity of it sending a fog over every thought ricocheting in her head.
“You’re overthinking,” he whispered so only she could hear, dipping his head until his lips brushed against hers. When he straightened, he addressed her sister. “Vanessa,” he acknowledged with a nod.
“BIL,” she replied.
“Pardon me?” His voice was a rumble of confusion.
“B. I. L. Brother-in-law. It’s what I’m calling you from now on. Since, you know, you are. And you’re my favorite one, too.” Her smirk matched the twinkle in her eye. She was loving this. Scooting off the bar stool, she adjusted the skirt that had climbed its way up her thighs when she sat. “I’m going to let you love birds”—she waved her hand between them— “do whatever it is you need to do. I’m going to convince Mom and Zia it’s time to go home and make me pasta. Ciao. ” She air kissed their cheeks and sashayed off.
“She’s trouble,” Joel said, as they watched Vanessa strut over to the older women.
“Since the day she was born, I’m afraid,” Lucy agreed, trying to ignore the kaleidoscopic of emotions churning in her chest. “Some days I wonder whose heart she’s going to eventually lock down.”
“Hopefully someone who knows that her kind of trouble is worth it, then sticks around to fight for her instead of with her.”
Lucy swiveled her head toward him. What a typical Joel thing to say. Both elusive and insightful. Like he knew things no one else knew, except this was her sister, and she wanted to know. But before she could interrogate him, he turned and braced a palm against either side of her on the table, sheltering her in the circle of his arms. “So, what were you overthinking about? Your mother?”
“For once, no.” His intoxicating closeness made the truth fall right from her lips, all thought of Vanessa, or anyone else for that matter, completely evaporating from her mind. “I was thinking about you. About us.”
“And…” His breath fanned her face as he leaned in, tracing his nose along her cheek. “What conclusion did you come to?”
Her heart hammered in her chest, and she was sure if he focused on her neck, he’d see the beat pounding under her skin. Had she come to any other conclusion than he smelled fantastic? She couldn’t remember.
“I can’t think when you do that,” she admitted hoarsely, turning her cheek toward his, until the corners of their mouths brushed.
“I can’t help it. I’ve missed you,” he whispered, his lips now directly over hers. “All day I’ve been thinking about this exact moment. With you, I’m like a fucking moth to a flame. I can’t stay away, even when I know I’m going to get burned. And I’ll take the pain every time, because being burned by you is a thousand times less agonizing than being apart from you. ”
There was no time to ask him what he meant, no time to even fully digest his words, because he kissed her, and not soft or gently, not inconspicuous, or appropriate for the public setting they were in, but passionate and ravenous. As if he truly could not wait another second for this kiss. His mouth devoured hers, but even through the heated embrace he still exercised his control, his arms braced against the table, keeping a distance. If she wanted, she could have pulled away and ducked out of his hold. She considered it.
What had he meant when he’d said he couldn’t stay away even if he knew he’d be burned? Did he expect her to hurt him? Did he honestly think she had that power? Half the time, she was at his mercy. If anyone was going to be hurt here, surely it would be her. The sharp edge of pain traced around the frayed edges of her heart, reminding her that she already was.
She pressed the palm of her hand into the firm wall of muscle protecting his heart.
“Joel.” She pulled away, breathless. “We need to talk.” So much to talk about, so little ability to concentrate when his face was suctioned to hers.
“Talk, yes. We should, shouldn’t we?” He drew back enough so she could focus in on his eyes.
She tried to read what was in them, but they were immediately guarded. Somewhere between their kiss and her palm on his chest, he’d reassembled himself.
“You kiss like that tomorrow and you’ll set the fire alarms off,” Carter said, sidling up behind them. He leaned forward, propping his elbows on the tabletop, chin resting in his palms, watching them casually. “I’m thinking of creating a cocktail to name after the two of you, Jucy , you know, for Joel and Lucy.” He looked back and forth between them. “Too tacky? I thought of merging the two last names, but Morone just sounded—no.”
Lucy turned her head to the side to look at Carter. Even though she meant what she said to Joel, and she did want to talk, she had to defend her culture. “I’ll have you know Morone is a very respectable Italian surname.”
“Really?” Carter narrowed his eyes, considering. “Nah, Jucy is way better.”
“Do whatever you want. Lucy and I have to go.” Joel held out his hand, which Lucy took in an automatic response she had when it came to him.
“Wait, are you giving me carte blanche on your engagement cocktail? Like, you don’t even want to offer flavor suggestions. I can go wild?”
“Go as wild as you want,” Joel told him, already leading her toward the door down the back hallway. But before they were out of ear shot, he shouted back, “In fact, if you keep everyone out of our hair tomorrow night, you have dibs on the wedding cocktail too.”
The last thing she heard before she was pulled into the hallway was Carter’s cry of delight.