20
Florence
I glance up at the Vanderveen Lux Hotel as the valet opens Josie's door. He helps her out, then she waves him away, insisting on helping me out herself. She looks stunning in her custom tux, and I'm tickled at the idea of my fiancée announcing herself to the public like this.
Photographers snap photos left and right. I'd forgotten the multitude of celebrities attending tonight. Frany Lopez, one of the biggest Latina singers in the world, is here to support us. Her youngest sister suffers from childhood muscular dystrophy, a cluster of diseases the new research lab will study. There are other big names as well. I have to hand it to Woodhouse and his EA Aimee. I'm proud she gets the opportunity to be here in his stead.
Josie takes my hand and helps me from the car. "Stop thinking," she whispers into my ear, "and smile for the cameras. You look beautiful." She puts her hands on my waist and twirls me around, her face still against mine.
I lean into her. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" I linger longer than I need to, feeling the heat of her skin against my cheek. "Lead me, she who wears the pants in our relationship."
She laughs, her eyes meeting mine. Putting an arm out for me, she walks us into the opulent grandeur of The Lux like she owns the place. Once inside, she lets out a long breath. "Is this always how you party? This place is incredible."
We head left toward the ballroom. "Have you never been here?"
"I came once, with Mel—that year before COVID. My mom didn't want to go again, and she thought I'd enjoy the experience. It was the fundraiser for the orthopedic unit. Mel's an orthopedic surgeon. She's also a—"
I groan softly. "Can we go one evening without you mentioning your ex?" I clamp my mouth shut.
Fuck.
"I'm sorry. Please—God, please forget I said that."
Josie gives me a wide smile. "Done." She squeezes my hand on her arm reassuringly. "Now, introduce me to everyone you know. They'll be talking about us for the rest of the year."
So I do. I introduce her to the team heading up the new research lab, the journalists who are here to write a piece about our efforts, and many of the investors who've supported the hospital for years. A handful of our most renowned surgeons hover near the open bar.
"Dr. Mueller." A tall man approaches us. "I didn't expect to see you here tonight."
"Doctor." Josie smiles warmly. "I'm here with Florence." She squeezes my hand where it rests in the crook of her arm.
"Of course. I'd heard the rumors." His eyes drift appreciatively over her tuxedo. "They didn't do you justice."
My arm tightens imperceptibly around Josie's, and I step closer to her. "James. I don't believe we've had the pleasure yet this evening." My voice carries a subtle edge of authority over him. "Dr. Harrison is one of our leading cardiovascular surgeons," I tell Josie.
I see a glint of amusement in her eyes. She already knows him. "James and I have collaborated on research before." She puts a hand over mine, before turning back to Harrison. "Florence mentioned you're working with minimally invasive valve replacements. Fascinating stuff." I did?
After he leaves, she turns to me. "You're jealous." She seems more amused by that than bothered.
I don't respond, instead making our way through the crowd, and introducing her to more board members and donors. She seems more interested in watching me in my element rather than meeting everyone, but she's gracious and gives them each a moment of her attention.
"I don't think I've ever seen Florence so relaxed at one of these things," an older woman confides in Josie as I'm deep in conversation with a potential donor. "Usually she's all business, but tonight she's actually smiling."
"Is she?" Josie glances at me, catching me watching her, even as I nod along with what the donor is saying. The corner of her mouth curls up when our eyes meet.
"Oh, yes," the older woman continues. "Quite transformed. You must be good for her."
I bid the donor a good night, and quickly settle back at Josie's side, my hand settling naturally on the small of her back. "I see you've met Margaret. She's been on our board longer than I've been alive, I think."
"Not quite," Margaret laughs, "though sometimes it feels that way. I was just telling your lovely fiancée how different you seem tonight."
I feel my cheeks flush. "Different how?"
"Happy, dear." She pats my arm. "Simply happy."
Josie smiles, and my arm tightens around her back as we meander toward our table.
I'm pleased to see Aimee here representing Chief Development, which took the lead organizing the event. With Woodhouse gone on such short notice, she rightly deserves his seat at the table.
It thrills me to bits to see Gwen as her plus-one. I know they're friends outside of work, but I don't think I've ever seen Gwen in anything other than office attire. I give her an air kiss before introducing her to Josie. "Josie, this is my Executive Assistant, Gwen Fernandez. Gwen, my fiancée, Dr. Josephine Mueller. Josie."
"Doctor." She grins widely. "You've been a myth for so long. Nice to see that you're real."
"Gwen." I shoot her a warning glance.
Josie squeezes my arm. "Don't get mad at her, Florence. She's right. We need our privacy, but not at the expense of the hospital's reputation." She motions to my seat.
"That debacle never should have happened." I sit down, and she pushes my chair in.
She puts a hand on my bare shoulder and waits for me to look up at her. "You're right, but it's over now. Let it go." Her open palm slides up the side of my neck, and she cups my cheek, staring into my eyes, before she lets her hand fall. She sits down next to me.
For a minute, I'm lost in her gaze, in her electric touch. The smell of her skin lingers. I want more of her.
"Florence, are you going to introduce us, or are you going to sit there and swoon over your girlfriend?" Cristine laughs.
I blink.
"Fiancée," my date corrects her. "Josie. I teach neurology at the medical school."
I shake my head, pulling myself away from the memory of her touch. "Josie, this is Cristine Lopez, head of HR. Anthony Jones, marketing. And Dr. Larissa Harris—she's the Chief Medical Officer."
Gwen clears her throat. "This is Aimee Deyoung. She's interim Head of Development. I'm her partner in crime."
"Nice to meet you all." Josie smiles to everyone before turning to Larissa on the other side of her. "I'd love to hear more about what you do. What was your speciality before you moved into your current position?"
During dinner, a live orchestra plays from across the room and as we finish eating, it transitions into slower songs. I turn to Josie. "Dance with me?"
She leads me onto the dance floor, and we're both hyperaware of the eyes following us. I step into her arms.
"Everyone's watching us," she murmurs, her lips close to my ear.
"Let them." Her thumb traces small circles where her hand rests against my back. "You're stunning tonight. I'd be watching, too."
I laugh softly. "Careful. Someone might think you actually like me."
She pulls back to meet my eyes. "Would that be so terrible?"
Before I can answer, she spins me out and back in. When I'm back in her arms, she's closer than before, one hand sliding up to rest against my neck. Her skin is warm against mine.
"You're good at this," she murmurs, her other hand trailing up my spine.
"I'm starting to think coming tonight might have been dangerous," I whisper, pressing closer as we sway to the music.
"Oh?" She raises an eyebrow. "How so?"
"Because," I breathe against her ear, "I'm finding it very hard to remember this is supposed to be pretend."
The music fades to something faster, but for a moment, neither of us moves. Finally, I step back, my hand lingering on her arm. "Let's get some air?"
The night air is cool on my flushed skin as we step out onto the balcony. I squeeze Josie's hand in the darkness.
"Better?" she asks. The breeze plays with a loose strand of my hair, and she brushes it tenderly behind my ear.
I nod, leaning against the railing. "I needed a moment. You're very distracting tonight."
"Says the woman in that dress." She steps closer, and my breath catches. "Do you have any idea what you've been doing to me all evening?"
I turn to look into her eyes. "Tell me."
She swallows hard. "Every time you touch me. Every time you look at me like that…" Her free hand finds my waist.
"Like what?" My voice is barely a whisper.
"Like you want to kiss me." Her words make my heart race.
I lean closer, my breath mingling with hers. "I do want to kiss you."
"Florence…" Her voice trembles. I can feel her heart pounding against me.
A burst of laughter from the doorway makes us both jump. A couple stumbles onto the balcony, after clearly too much champagne. They stop short when they see us.
"Oh! Ms. Pietra, we didn't realize…" They back away awkwardly.
I let out a shaky breath, but I can't bring myself to move away from her. "We should probably head back inside."
"Probably," she agrees—but neither of us moves.
"Josie." Her name is raw on my lips. "When we get home…"
She pulls me closer, and I stop caring who might see us.
The door opens again. "There you are!" Aimee's voice breaks the spell. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but the Mayor would like a word before he leaves."
I close my eyes, forcing myself to remember where we are. Business function. Right. When I open them, I slip back into my professional role.
"Of course." I straighten my shoulders. "Shall we?"
Josie follows me back inside, but something's shifted between us. We still have another hour before we can leave—but every glance, every touch, builds in anticipation of later.