Chapter 23
ALEX
“Why wasn’t there an option to attend virtually?” Alex groaned as he fiddled with the bowtie on his designer tuxedo.
“Because you’d miss the fireworks?” Ava asked as she adjusted a lock of her hair and smoothed the form-fitting red silk gown around her hips before she spun to face him.
“Not true. Those could be live streamed from multiple angles. We’d probably have a better view of them, actually.”
“Give me that.” Ava batted his hands away from the silk fabric before she adjusted it and began to tie it.
“Are you sure you want to go? We could have a really nice time here.”
She shot him an unimpressed glance. “We have to go. We need to make a better connection with the Bancrofts. And we’ve got Grant and Julia to help us do that.”
Alex heaved a sigh as she adjusted the finished product of his tie.
“There,” Ava said with a grin. “Also, Raven will be in attendance.”
“And wearing a rose for you,” Alex said with a wrinkle of his nose.
“Right. Maybe tonight we’ll finally figure out who he is.”
Alex collapsed in his armchair. “Maybe.”
Ava slicked on her lipstick as Gizmo sniffed at her gown. “I can’t believe you’re not excited to go.”
“I thought after seventeen years of marriage, you’d remember how much I hate social interaction.”
Ava smiled as she crossed to him and tugged him to stand. “Yes, but this is our first party as a couple.”
The words curled his lips into a smile. “Okay, that’s a plus.”
She raised her eyebrows as she gave him a soft kiss before she wiped the lipstick from his lips. “See? Exciting.”
“Hmm, yeah. Everyone will be jealous of me.” Alex lifted his chin, a playful grin on his features.
“I’m pretty sure that would happen without me, Ace,” she said as she reapplied lipstick and did a final check of her makeup.
“Mmm, no,” he answered as she straightened, and he slid his hand around hers. “It’ll definitely happen because of my wife.”
“Well, let’s go make people jealous.”
They left the bedroom behind after tucking Gizmo into his bed with a chew toy and made their way downstairs to meet the Harringtons.
“Wow, Ava!” Julia said as she rose, her understated gown falling to her ankles. “You look incredible.”
Alex offered his wife a knowing glance. “Told you.”
“Aw, thank you, Julia. You look pretty good yourself.”
Julia chuckled as she eyed Ava up and down. “No, nothing compared to you.”
“Whoa,” Kyle said as he stepped into the room. “That’s some dress.”
“Ugh,” Sierra groaned, her high heels pounding across the floor as she followed him, “will you please stop hitting on people? It’s getting gross.”
“I didn’t…never mind,” Kyle said with a shake of his head.
“Grantster having trouble with his tie?” Alex inquired.
“He’s on a business call. He just stepped onto the patio.”
“Busy guy,” Alex said as the sliding glass door opened and Grant stepped inside.
“Sorry,” he answered. “Just in the process of trying to put everything in place to buy my company back from you.”
“No problem. Are we ready?” Alex asked.
They made their way to the waiting car, and within fifteen minutes, were climbing out of it at the Bancrofts’ mansion where the party already appeared to be in full swing.
Ava held her mask up as they entered as Alex slid his on with a groan. “Ugh, this is horrible.”
“Already overwhelmed? We haven’t even had a social interaction, Ace?”
“Not that. The stupid mask. Why did it have to be a masquerade ball?”
Ava slipped her hand into his as she scanned the crowd. “Have you seen anyone with a rose on yet?”
“Ohh, Avs, there,” Alex said nodding in the direction of a tall man wearing a red rose on his lapel.
Ava wrinkled her nose. “That doesn’t look like him.”
“Why?” Alex asked. “He could be a silver fox.”
“It’s the wrong build,” she argued.
“I didn’t know you checked out his build that thoroughly,” Alex challenged, frowning at the idea.
“I didn’t. But…never mind. Maybe it’s him.”
“Oh, wait,” Alex said as he twisted to find another man wearing a red rose on his lapel. “There’s another one.”
Ava arched an eyebrow as they shuffled further into the room. “They’re all wearing red roses. Ugh.”
She crossed her arms, her mask falling to the side, shaking her head. “Cute trick, Raven. Very cute trick.”
“We’ve been had, Sparky,” Alex said with a huff.
“Well, Ava,” Vivienne’s voice called from behind.
They twisted to face her as she sashayed over in a red evening gown that dusted the floor behind her with its long train. She reached out to pull her into a hug, feigning a kiss to her cheek. “How lovely that you could make it.”
She twisted to face Alex. “And you must be the elusive Mr. Stone.”
“That would be me, yep,” Alex said with a nod.
“Welcome to our home, Mr. Stone. We’re so pleased you could finally attend one of our events.”
Alex offered her a tight-lipped smile as Theodore joined them. “Well, I must say, Ava, you know how to make a bang at a party.”
Alex slid a protective arm around her, pulling her closer to him.
Theodore shifted his brandy to his left hand as he stuck out his right. “And you must be Alex Stone. Such a pleasure to finally meet you.”
Alex reluctantly shook the man’s hand, the memory of the millions he’d been party to stealing from StoneCorp flitting through his mind.
“Theo,” Grant’s voice said from behind them, warm and friendly.
Theodore slid his mask up, pulling his chin back. “Grant? I didn’t recall your name being on the final guest list. This is a surprise.”
Grant shook hands with him before he kissed Vivienne’s cheek. “It certainly is,” she said, “what are you doing in the Hamptons?”
“Visiting with Alex and Ava,” Grant said as Julia joined him.
“Oh, I wasn’t aware you were acquainted.”
“Actually, my wife, Julia and Ava were sorority sisters. We decided to spend a few weeks seaside.” Grant made the introductions between them and Julia.
“Well, after the trouble you’ve had, I don’t blame you,” Theodore answered. “Terrible thing what your ex-wife did. That’s why I always say know who you’re getting in bed with, if you know what I mean.”
“Well, it’s all behind us now,” Grant answered. “After a little help from Alex.”
“Oh, handy in a jam, are you?” Theodore asked. “Well, we’ll have to keep that in mind. We may find a project that’s mutually beneficial between us.”
“Now, now, this is a party, gentlemen. Let’s not talk business, shall we?” Vivienne gave them all a practiced smile.
“You’re absolutely right, my dear, we’ll have to set up a meeting.”
“Well, why don’t we all have lunch together sometime next week. I hadn’t realized you were all such close friends,” Vivienne suggested, her eyes flitting between Alex and Ava and Grant and Julia.
“Sounds great. We’ll catch up then,” Grant answered.
They chatted for a few more moments before the Bancrofts departed.
“That went well,” Ava said as she shifted her gaze to follow them across the room.
Grant shook his head. “I just…really hope they aren’t as deeply involved as you think.”
“With your help, maybe we can find out,” Alex said with a nod. “Thanks again.”
“No problem. But I feel like that small introduction didn’t really repay everything you did for us.”
“Don’t worry, this is far from over. I’m sure we’ll have a few more things for you to help us with,” Alex answered as another masked man approached them.
“Ava,” he said as he grabbed her hand and kissed it. “You look absolutely stunning.”
“Sebastian,” she answered with a demure smile. “Thank you.”
Alex eyed the man up and down, stifling a groan at his chiseled jaw and perfectly trimmed stubble.
“You haven’t met my husband yet. He’s the reason I bought the painting I did. Two ships in a storm reminded me of us.” Ava waved a hand toward Alex, who grabbed it and tugged her closer.
Sebastian’s eyes lingered on her before he flicked them to Alex for a fleeting glance. “Rocky relationship?”
“No,” Alex answered as Ava giggled.
“Not at all. I just loved the image of two ships weathering anything together. Just like Alex and me.”
“Hmm, a lovely sentiment.” He finally eyed Alex up and down. “Well, you’re a very lucky man.”
“Don’t I know it,” Alex said, his grip subconsciously tightening around Ava’s waist.
“Would you mind terribly if I stole your wife away for a dance.”
“I might,” Alex said with a grin as Ava nudged his foot.
“Secretly, I wanted to discuss some business with you,” Sebastian said to Ava.
“I’m sure Alex won’t mind. Will you, dear?” Ava offered him a wide-eyed grin.
He knew exactly what she wanted–agreement. He shrugged. “Well, I mean…”
“Good,” Ava said with a nod. “Be back soon.”
“I promise to return her before midnight,” Sebastian said with a laugh as he led her away, his fingers sliding through hers.
Alex puckered his lips as he stared after them. “Man, I really don’t like that guy.”
“I don’t think there’s any reason to be jealous,” Julia said. “You know, when I spoke with Ava earlier, she said she was committed to your relationship, so I think it’ll be fine.”
“Don’t listen to her,” Grant said, as he clapped Alex on the shoulder. “Be jealous. It’s your right as her husband.”
Alex wrinkled his nose as Sebastian snaked an arm around Ava’s waist, threading his fingers through hers as they moved to the music on the dance floor.
Julia’s jaw unhinged. “Grant, that’s not true.”
“It is. I will never feel comfortable seeing you that close to another man.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Julia said with a shake of her head. “You know I’m committed to you.”
Across the room, Ava laughed and grinned at Sebastian. Despite him being well-aware of what she was attempting to do, Alex couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy for the attention she gave him.
He couldn’t wait for this entire thing to be finished, so they could just enjoy their relationship.
“I didn’t say you weren’t, Juls. I just will never be comfortable seeing you that close to another man. Too much happened with Luke.”
“It was one little kiss,” Julia answered with a click of her tongue.
Alex tore his gaze away from Ava, glancing between the two of them.