Chapter 42
CHAPTER
FORTY-TWO
APRIL
Chance’s hand on my back is a steady, comforting presence as we step into the gala.
My eyes bounce back and forth, dancing from the well-dressed guests to the lavish decor. Every fresh sweep brings something new and breathtaking to my attention.
As a mechanic, I’ve grown used to the strong smell of engine fluid, the inevitable dirt that stains every outfit, and the aversion to light colors like peach, cream and white.
But tonight, my humble existence has been blown open. I enter a lavish universe I’ve never known.
Soft lights expand from low-hanging chandeliers suspended by delicate beaded chains. Tall, white-dressed tables are laden with skinny champagne flutes and expensive branded gift bags. To the right, a fully functioning buffet with heated pans and a feast of desserts tempts my eyes.
Chance presses a kiss to my temple. His swirling cologne is as intoxicating as his voice when he asks, “You okay, Tink?”
“Yup, I’m fine,” I say as calmly as I can.
“You look amazing tonight. Have I told you that?”
“About five hundred times,” I say, relaxing a bit. Chance is trying to make up for every bad word that’s been said about me on the internet. Not even my dad was this adamant about complimenting me growing up.
“You look like a dream,” Chance whispers in my ear. “There. Now it’s five hundred and one.”
I laugh.
That dazed look enters Chance’s eyes again and he sighs happily. “There’s the smile I’ve been waiting for.”
I push at him, trying to hide my blush. “You’re hovering.”
“You’re glowing,” he counters.
“I don’t need to be rescued or overseen tonight. I’m an adult. I know how to conduct myself in public.”
“At least one of us does. I find these things awfully boring,” he admits. Stopping, Chance looks down at me, his blue eyes alight with mischief. “Should we just skip out now?”
“Do you really want to leave? Didn’t you give your mother your word that you’d attend?”
He glances to the side, guilty.
“You don’t have to be so worried about me,” I add.
“I’m not worried about you. I’m worried about them .” Chance flashes the room of wealthy donors, celebrities, and powerful influencers a suspicious look.
“Chance!” A group of aged businessmen gesture for him.
“And so it begins,” Chance mumbles. “Last chance to run now.”
I smile and nudge him forward. “Go.”
To my surprise, Chance slides his hand down my arm and links our fingers together instead. He pulls me to the group.
“Gentlemen.” He nods.
“So the prodigal son returns!” A man with thinning hair and a beer belly grins. “Are you finally ready to put that business degree to good use and join your father?”
“Dad is far from ready to retire and I’m all-in on hockey at the moment, but we’ll see what the future holds,” Chance says tactfully. “Have I introduced you to my girlfriend April? She’s a brilliant mechanic and entrepreneur. Her garage in Lucky Falls is flourishing.”
“How nice,” the men say, sipping their champagne and looking away.
“Lucky Falls? Where is that?” another asks with mocking laughter in his tone.
“It’s a beautiful place full of small-town charm. When you’re ready for a change of pace, I invite you to visit,” I say sweetly.
Chance looks down with a surprised look.
I blink up at him, proud as a peach.
“Excuse us. We have a few more guests to greet,” Chance says. He sweeps me away from the group of country club curmudgeons, his hand dangerously low on my back and his grip tight on my hip.
Heat slides through my stomach when he growls in my ear, “Who was that April?”
“ That was the April who spent most of her life being the only female in the room.” I tilt my chin up boldly.
Just because I’m not used to being fancy doesn’t mean I can’t hold my own in a strange environment. I’ll admit, Chance met me at a time when I’d forgotten who I was. After Evan, I was floundering to find my way again. But I have always been brave. If I was the type of woman who backed away from spaces she didn’t ‘fit in’, I never would have become a mechanic.
“ That April is sexy and I really want to kiss her.” Chance pulls me closer to his side, looking greedily at my lips.
My breath catches in my throat. The tension between us is taut enough to drop a V12 engine from a suspended truck.
“April!” A familiar, joyful voice interrupts us.
Chance and I ease apart. At first, I’m annoyed that my kiss was postponed, but the moment I see Randal, my face lights up like a Christmas tree.
Mr. McLanely and I spent hours discussing vintage vehicles, automobile history, and debating the latest innovations in the auto space. Though he’s much older and richer than me, it feels like I’ve known him for years.
Chance definitely gets his charm and friendliness from his dad.
I start to greet Randal when a slender hand carrying a rock the size of a small planet suddenly appears around his elbow.
“Randal, there you are. And Chance, wonderful, you made it.” The newcomer gives Chance vapid air kisses. To her husband, she says, “You disappeared in the middle of Croxby’s egregious investment pitch. How could you leave me with that infuriating man alone like?”
“Sorry, dear.”
“Come. The president of Continuum is looking for you.”
“Wait, Corinth,” Randal remains in place, “you haven’t met Chance’s girlfriend yet, have you? This is April.”
“Hi,” I say, staring at Chance’s mom.
I’d imagined a woman with angry eyes, deeply red lips, and deep wrinkles hewn from years of scowling at children. But the regal silver foxette in front of me is… not that .
Corinth’s face is smooth as a baby’s bottom. Except for the faint lines around her pretty blue eyes, her peaches-and-cream complexion would make it nearly impossible to tell her true age. While her long, black dress is quiet and simple, the thick material paired with a tweed jacket and white pearls screams ‘expensive’.
This woman does not have to open her mouth or wave around gold bars to prove she’s wealthy.
“Hello, please do enjoy yourself,” she says with a smile faker than the five dollar ‘pure silver’ earrings dangling from my ears. Turning abruptly, she motions to her husband. “Dear, this way.”
Chance steps forward. “Mom, I know you’re busy tonight, so I’d like to take you, dad and April out to lunch tomorrow before we fly back.”
“I’ll have to check my schedule, Chance. You know this is an awfully busy season for me. You understand, don’t you?” Her cooing tone has a steel band beneath the surface.
“Your mother can’t sit still for a minute.” Randal pats her hand affectionately. “April, Chance, why don’t you stay with us tonight?”
My jaw drops.
Chance lifts both eyebrows.
“In separate rooms, of course.” Randal grins. “If you’re at home, we’ll be sure to spend some quality time together in between your mother’s appointments.”
“Er, I don’t know about that,” Corinth hedges.
“I don’t mind.” Chance looks down at me. “Tink?”
The thought of sleeping under the same roof as Chance makes me nervous, but I figure it’s not so different from sleeping under the same roof in a hotel. Plus, a hotel doesn’t have Randal’s fleet of impressive vintage cars.
“Okay.” I agree.
Annoyance flashes over Corinth’s face before she tucks it away like a seasoned pro and nods along. “Lovely. I’ll see you at home then, son. April. Randal, this way.”
“That’s my cue.” Randal laughs good-naturedly and follows his wife.
Chance blows out a breath.
“Were you that nervous?” I tease, although to be fair, I’d been on pins and needles the entire time too.
“That went better than I expected.”
“What did you expect? A mud fight?”
A faint, half-grin tugs at his lips. He runs a thumb down my cheek. “You’re staying over tonight, huh?”
“I am taking the guestroom at your parents’ house,” I correct him as my insides quake at his touch.
“It’s also my house. Since I grew up there. And my bedroom is…” he presses his cheek to mine, “right upstairs.”
My heart thuds so loudly, I’m sure it can be heard above the live jazz music. The word ‘bed’ and ‘room’ should never leave Chance’s mouth while he’s looking at me like that.
“Why is it so hot in here?” I fan my face, stepping away.
Chance laughs, eyes sparkling harder than the chandeliers. “I’ll get you something to drink. I’m guessing you’re okay with sparkling cider?”
I nod.
He struts away and I can’t help watching him.
Half the room can’t help watching him.
He’s a magnificent human being, inside and out.
But especially out.
Rather than brush his hair back like many of the guys did tonight, Chance’s hair is effortlessly wind-swept with just a few pieces hanging strategically over his strong forehead to hint at an intentional style.
The haircut highlights his square jaw and side profile that has been the inspiration of many an online fangirl.
Not to mention, Chance McLanely’s broad shoulders were made for hockey uniforms and tuxes.
As I’m drooling over him, Chance turns back to look at me. It’s too late to pretend I wasn’t staring and I note the quick concern that flickers over his face before he realizes that I’m just ogling him because he’s unfairly beautiful.
Internally, I groan. He’s going to tease me about being unable to keep my eyes off him when he returns with the drinks. I just know it.
Chance finally breaks eye contact but, just as he takes a step, he collides into someone holding a champagne flute. Instinctually, his hand reaches out to grip the woman’s arm and steady her.
“I’m so sorry,” the woman says, brushing him down. Wine is seeping into the white fabric and exposing his chiseled abs.
“It’s okay,” Chance says, gripping her hands to stop her. “It’s my fault. I was… distracted.”
The woman looks up.
Chance freezes.
My shoulders go tense at his reaction and I tilt my head to get a good look at the woman. The moment I see her, my heart drops straight to my toes.
Those impossibly high cheekbones, puffy lips, and Victoria Secret body are unmistakable.
It’s Fina, Chance’s ex-girlfriend.