Chapter 23
chapter twenty-three
Luke
Ican’t take my eyes off of Mia. She’s wearing a long, slinky black dress with high heels. She’s got on a thin gold necklace and a diamond tennis bracelet. She looks absolutely stunning. Her gold-blonde hair hangs in curls around her shoulders, and her big brown eyes are dazzling.
We haven’t really spoken much since she got back to the hotel room, but I don’t think either of us knows what to say.
We are in a weird state in our relationship.
We are more than friends, and yet we are less than best friends.
We can no longer share every single intimate detail about our lives because the fact of the matter is, we are the biggest obstacle and concern in each other’s life now.
“You look very nice,” she says, beaming at me.
I’m wearing a very expensive Italian suit that I got on a trip to Milan. My crisp white shirt is open two buttons down, and Mia helped me put on my black tie.
“This is going to be a very fancy engagement party,” she says, laughing. “It is really kind of weird that we’re going to an engagement party for a couple that’s getting married at the end of the month.”
Even though, on the surface, it looks like everything is light between us, the tension is high.
We’ve been tiptoeing around each other. We have said nothing personal to each other, and we haven’t touched or kissed in that way.
That drives me crazy. I don’t like being in this position with Mia, but I don’t know how to get out of it.
“Juniper just texted me, by the way,” she says. “She said she’s downstairs with Wendy, Summer, and Silvie. So, should we head down?”
“Okay.” I nod. “What about the guys, or am I going to be hanging out with all the girls?”
“I think Wendy said that Carter might try and show up. He felt slightly weird about coming tonight because he doesn’t know Rex or Andi, but I told her to tell him that’s fine.
They’re not going to care. And let’s see …
Silvie said that Cal is going to try and make it.
He got someone to cover for him at the bar.
Summer said that Dayton will show up at some point, so the guys will be here at some point. ”
“Okay, I’m just checking. I don’t care if it’s just me and the girls.”
“I know you don’t. You love to be with all the girls.”
“This isn’t about Talia again, is it?” I ask, and she just gives me a look. “Okay, okay. I was just double-checking because you know I’m not into her.”
“I didn’t even bring Talia up,” she says, staring at me. “Really, Luke?”
“I know you didn’t. I just—sorry. I was making a joke, and maybe it was in poor taste.”
“Luke, all I have to say is, don’t quit the day job. You’re definitely not going to be the next Dave Chappelle.”
“Maybe I’ll be the next Adam Sandler.”
“You’re goofy enough,” she teases me.
I just laugh. I love it when we can just be light with each other.
“Shall we go, my lady?”
“We shall, kind sir.”
I grab her hand and squeeze it, and we head toward the door. I open it for her, and she steps outside. As I close it, I pull her toward me.
“We okay?”
She nods slowly, but she doesn’t answer.
That’s not really a good enough reaction for me, but it’s the best that I’m going to get right now.
I take a deep breath and let my feelings of annoyance and frustration go.
We make our way to the elevator in not-quite-companionable silence.
Everything feels like it has that slight edge to it, and I just don’t know how to make it better.
We step into the elevator, and I accidentally brush against her.
She almost jumps away from me, and I frown slightly.
I’m about to ask her if she really is okay and if we should talk, but I decide not to.
It’s a big night for Rex and for Andi and for the family, and I know we cannot go to the party arguing, and we cannot step away from the party either.
I press the button to take us down to the ballroom, and we stand there in silence. It’s so very different from how we normally are together that it makes me feel tense, but I don’t know what to do about it.
We step out and make our way toward the ballroom. The sounds of partygoers echo through the halls. There’s a live band playing ’60s and ’70s music, and everyone seems to be having a good time as we step into the ballroom.
I see Mia looking around with a fake, plastered smile on her face.
She grabs my hand and looks into my eyes. “Time to fake it again, Luke.”
“I don’t like to fake it, Mia.”
“You could have fooled me,” she says, and I just stare at her.
“Come on,” she says. “I see Juniper.”
She pulls me toward the other side of the room, and I follow behind her, not wanting to make a scene, but really wanting to have a deeper conversation with her.
“Hey, Juniper. Hey, Wendy. Hey, Summer. Hey, Silvie.” Mia gives them all a quick hug.
I offer them my hellos and stand to the side, watching as she smiles and jokes with them. I can’t tell if she’s faking it or if she’s really just happy to see them.
“Would you like a drink?” I say eventually.
She turns to me, nodding. “Yeah, a glass of wine or something, please.”
“I’ll be right back.” I look around the room and head toward the bar.
I see my grandma standing there with Lucille and try not to groan.
“Hey there, Luke,” my grandma says, giving me a big hug.
“Hi, Gran. Hi, Mrs. Bishop.”
“How are you treating my granddaughter? Very well, I hope.”
I give her a smile. “You know how it is. Mia and I have a really good thing going, and we’re just trying not to ruin it.”
“I’m glad to hear that, Luke. I’ve been very glad to hear that the two of you have connected.” She looks over at Bitsy. “Aren’t you happy, Bitsy?”
“Yeah, I think we’re both very happy, Lucille.”
They give each other a look that I find quite odd, but I ignore it. Both of my grandparents are slightly quirky, and I don’t know if that has to do with living in Coconut Beach their entire lives, but I’ve learned to ignore it.
“The party looks to be in full swing,” I say, looking around. “I’m sure Rex and Andi must be really happy.”
“Yes, yes, I suppose so,” my grandma says, frowning. “We need to talk, Luke,” she says in a low voice.
“What’s wrong?” I frown at her. “You’re okay, Gran?”
“Oh, I’m fine. I’m fine. It’s not about me. It’s about something else. Something sensitive. Maybe something that should not be spoken about here because there are listening ears everywhere, but we need to talk.”
She gives me a look, and then she looks over at Lucille. “Ah, shall we go and dance?”
“Of course. Let us do it. I’ll leave you to get back to my granddaughter.”
“Okay, thanks. You guys have a great evening,” I say as I watch them walk away.
That was really weird. I have no idea what my grandma wants to talk to me about, but now I’m super intrigued. I head over to the bar and call one of the bartenders over.
“Can I get a glass of pinot grigio and a Bud Light or something, please?”
“Certainly, sir. Coming right up.”
I stand there, waiting for him to get the drinks, when I see Talia heading toward me.
Here we go again.
She’s wearing a sheer silver dress that leaves nothing to the imagination. When I say nothing, I mean nothing. It’s very obvious that she’s not wearing a bra because the gauzy metallic of her dress is see-through, and I can clearly see her nipples.
“Why, darling Luke, you look absolutely gorgeous,” she says as she reaches over and gives me a big hug, pressing her breasts against me. “And you smell divine.” She presses her nose against my neck.
“Well, it’s nice to see you as well, Talia,” I say, trying to be polite as I take a step back. “How are you doing?”
“I am absolutely loving the party. Your parents took on every suggestion that I gave them, and I think I’ve rather surpassed myself with this shindig, don’t you?”
“Well, it looks like a lot of people are having a lot of fun. It also looks like it costs a lot of money.”
“Well, well, you’re a Haverbrook. You guys don’t have to worry about money. At least that’s what Rex said.”
“He is in charge of the family business and the accounts, so he knows,” I say, nodding, not even wanting to think about it.
I hate the fact that I’m still irritated by the fact that Rex had taken over the family business without even having a conversation with me about my possible role. “So, have you thought about my suggestion?” she says softly.
“Sorry, I’m confused. What suggestion?”
“Did you not get my text message? I’m going to be in New York, and I don’t have a place to stay yet, and I was thinking maybe I could stay with you.”
“Oh, I don’t think that’s a good idea, Talia,” I say, trying to be polite.
“But I think we could have so much fun, Luke.”
“Well, as you know, I’m dating Mia, and—”
“Oh, but she’s such a Goody Two-shoes with her bookmobile on the beach and her romance books and running around the island taking photos of tourists.
Do you really want to be with someone like that, or do you want to be with a woman who you can have on your arm at dinner parties and who can discuss politics and the stock market?
I bet you that Mia doesn’t even know what an index fund is. ”
“I don’t care if she knows what an index fund is, Talia. She very much is the woman I need and want in my life.”
“If you say so, Lukey,” she says, staring at me and shaking her head. “You don’t know what you’re missing—you know that, right?” She runs her fingers down the front of my shirt. “All those muscles wasted on her.” The disdain practically drips from her tone.
“Hi, sir. Here’s the pinot grigio and the beer that you wanted,” the bartender says from behind me, and I’m grateful that he’s finally shown back up.
“Thank you.” I take them from him and drop a twenty-dollar bill into the tip jar. “Well, it was good seeing you, Talia. I’m going to—”
“Oh, I’ll come with you,” she says, cutting me off. “Let me say hello to the girls.”
“I’m sure you don’t have to do that.”