Chapter 6
CHAPTER 6
HAYES
A week later, I stood outside the sleek stone entrance of the country club with my brother Isaac, the early morning sun throwing long shadows across the meticulously manicured grounds. The place smelled like fresh-cut grass and money, the sort of place our father, Armand Bancroft, would deem appropriate for a wedding.
The exclusive club was all about catering to the who’s who in New York. It wasn’t really my thing, but this wasn’t about me. I was here for my dad. Mostly my aunt Kathy. I had a feeling this was more her speed than his. Since they were out of the country on a nice vacation to the Maldives, Isaac and I were tasked with checking out the country club. It was one of the many venues in the running to hold their wedding.
It was going to take me a minute to get used to thinking of Aunt Kathy as my stepmother. I didn’t fault the two of them for falling in love, but my father was marrying his late brother’s widow. It wasn’t the most normal romance story.
“I still can’t believe Dad’s getting married again,” Isaac said, adjusting the cuffs of his blazer. He was wearing a sharp navy suit that screamed old money, even though he liked to act like the rebellious one.
We both had to dress the part or we would be run out of the club. Neither of us wanted to disappoint Aunt Kathy or Dad.
“And to Aunt Kathy of all people,” he said. “How fucking weird.”
I chuckled, leaning against the pillar beside him. “Hey, they’re happy. That’s all that matters. It’s not like they’re blood related.”
Isaac shot me a look, one eyebrow raised in that skeptical way he had. “Not about the blood, dude. It’s the principle.”
I shrugged off his concerns. “Weirder things have happened in our family.”
He laughed, the sound bouncing off the stone. “That’s an understatement.”
As we watched the valets scramble to park luxury cars and greet attendees, I took a quick walk down memory lane, thinking about the few times my family had hung out with our American cousins. Looking back, I could see the tension between the adults. We had all been young and naive and never understood my dad and his brother, my uncle Art, were at odds. We never knew our father had been in love with Aunt Kathy long before we were ever born.
Thinking about their love story had images of Dixie popping into my head.
What the hell was that about?
“What’s her name?” Isaac asked.
“What?”
“Man, you’ve got that goofy smile on your face. The same smile I’ve seen on Zayn’s face. Hudson’s face. It’s a woman. Only a woman can make a Bancroft smile like that.”
“Dixie,” I said, unable to stop the small smile tugging at my lips.
“Dixie,” he repeated, raising an eyebrow. “Sounds like trouble.”
“The best kind,” I admitted, crossing my arms. “She’s got this sense of humor that’ll keep you on your toes, and she’s brutally honest. It’s refreshing.”
“Sounds like you’re smitten,” Isaac teased. “What else? Tell me you didn’t just fall for a pretty face and a sharp tongue.”
“She’s smart,” I said, shrugging. “She’s got this incredible eye for design. She works at a custom furniture shop, flipping old pieces into something new. And she drives like a maniac.”
Isaac laughed. “You’re into the dangerous type, huh?”
“You have no idea,” I said, shaking my head. “She’s got this wild streak that’s intoxicating.” I paused for a moment, then added with a smirk, “And she fucks like a banshee, too.”
“Dude!” Isaac held up a hand. “TMI.”
“You asked.”
“Yeah, for personality traits, not your bedroom highlight reel,” he said, shaking his head. “Anyway, when are you seeing her again?”
“Hopefully soon,” I said. “Our schedules have been a mess this week. We’ve been trying to make it work.”
Isaac nodded understandingly. “Well, make it happen, man. Life’s too short and all that.”
“Yeah,” I agreed, my mind drifting back to Dixie. The thought of seeing her again made me very excited. More excited than I had been about anything in a long time.
Isaac’s phone rang. He pulled it out and snorted. “Hudson says we’re officially wedding planners now. Told us not to worry, he’s got the office under control.”
“How thoughtful of him,” I said dryly.
“I’m not sure which is worse, paperwork and begging for money or looking at places for Dad to get married.”
“What about you?” I asked him.
“What about me?”
“Seeing anyone?” I asked.
Isaac just shrugged. “I’ve been seeing some girls. Nothing serious. Just some two a.m. texts and Ubers, if you catch my drift.”
“Uber? You cheap bastard,” I said with a shake of my head.
“The girls never seem to mind.”
“You could at least spring for a car service,” I said. “Or let them stay the night and take them home in the morning.”
“Fuck that. Don’t act like you don’t boot them out of your bed two seconds after you’ve gotten off.”
“Fair point,” I conceded. “But Dixie’s different.”
Isaac raised an eyebrow. “Different how? Is she turning you into a cuddler or something?”
I chuckled. “Something like that. She’s got this energy about her. Unpredictable. Passionate.”
“Sounds dangerous,” Isaac said. “Bancroft men aren’t known for handling unpredictable well.”
The country club’s director finally arrived, a polished woman in her early fifties with an air of authority and a clipboard clutched in her manicured hands. “Gentlemen, thank you for waiting. Right this way.”
We followed her inside. The club’s grand interior was all dark wood, sparkling chandeliers, and tasteful arrangements of white lilies. She led us to the ballroom, its wall of windows offering a panoramic view of the golf course and distant hills.
“Your father and Kathy will have no trouble getting married here,” the director said, gesturing to the elegant space. “It’s one of our most popular venues.”
Isaac and I snapped a few pictures, exchanging a glance as we did. We already knew this was going to be the venue. Considering the wedding was happening soon, they didn’t have a lot of time. They should have locked it in already, but when you had Bancroft money, you could call the night before and move mountains.
“They’ll love it,” I said.
“Especially Kathy,” Isaac added. “She’s always had a thing for big windows and over-the-top flower arrangements. Although she’ll be bringing in her own florists to decorate.”
The woman nodded. “Naturally.”
She continued showing us around, highlighting the amenities. By the time we wrapped up, we had enough photos and details to send to Armand and Kathy, who were undoubtedly enjoying their tropical getaway. I guess I could stop referring to her as my aunt since she is about to be my stepmom. Weird saying that in my head.
“We’ll tell them to get back to you,” I said. “Thank you for taking the time to show us around. It’s a beautiful place.”
“We would love to host a Bancroft wedding,” the woman said. “I just know we can pull it off and make it a day they will never forget.”
“Thanks,” Isaac said.
We walked back to his car.
“You have to admit,” Isaac said as he stopped to look back at the club. “Dad’s like a whole new person since Kathy came back into his life. I mean, he’s practically floating.”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “They make each other happy. It’s good to see. So, you’re not really weirded out by it?”
Isaac shrugged. “I mean, a little. But they love each other. Who am I to judge?”
“Exactly,” I said. “Life’s too complicated to hold on to old hang-ups.”
“And honestly, Dad isn’t going to live forever,” Isaac said. “I think he should have a good woman beside him. And Kathy needs him just as much.”
“She’s a good woman,” I said. “I don’t think there’s going to be a big difference between her being our aunt or our stepmother. She’s always been like a second mom.”
Isaac’s expression softened. “Think he’s nervous about this wedding?”
“Probably. But it’s a good kind of nervous,” I said. “They’re both all in. That’s what matters. Theirs is a love story fifty years in the making.”
Isaac nodded thoughtfully, then grinned. “Speaking of weddings, I’m thinking of bringing one of my hookups to Dad’s. Might keep things interesting.”
“Don’t be a dumbass,” I said, shaking my head. “You can’t bring a fling to Dad’s wedding.”
“Who says she’s a fling?” he shot back, feigning offense.
“The fact that you referred to her as a hookup instead of using her name?” I said, arching an eyebrow.
Isaac laughed. “Fair point.”
“Do you even know her name?”
He chuckled and got into the driver’s seat. “I think it starts with an L. Layla. Lila. I just call them all Baby . They think it’s hot.”
“You’re a pig.” I rolled my eyes, knowing full well his approach to dating was about as deep as a puddle. I wasn’t going to pretend I was some virtuous saint, but I knew the name of every girl I slept with, even if it was just for a night.
Dixie was definitely worth spending more than a night with. She was real, raw, and unapologetically herself. I wanted to know all there was to know about her.
“Earth to Hayes,” Isaac interrupted my thoughts. “You’re doing that dreamy smile again. Are you on drugs?”
“Shut up,” I muttered but couldn’t help grinning.
“I’ll drop you off at work,” Isaac said. “I’ve got some things to handle.”
He left me at the curb and I headed inside. Hudson and Zayn were already in the office, leaning over a table covered in documents and laptops. I walked in, whistling and ready to work.
“Look at Mr. Cheerful,” Zayn said.
“He’s been like that all week,” Hudson said. “He got bit by the love bug. I remember those first days and weeks.” He paused and then got serious. “Okay, maybe I don’t remember every detail, but once I sobered up, I remember that feeling.”
“I don’t think it’s quite that,” I said.
“But it will be,” Zayn said. “The second I laid eyes on Marigold, I knew. You just know. These women have something that you can’t ignore.”
“That’s true,” Hudson said. “Diana… she took my breath away. We’re flawed men, but there is one woman out there that is yours. She’s been put on this earth to look past all your bullshit and see the man you can be. The man she will shape you into if you let her.”
“Are you saying Dixie is that woman for me?”
Hudson and Zayn exchanged knowing glances.
“We’re saying keep an open mind,” Zayn said. “Love has a way of finding you when you least expect it.”
“And when are you seeing her again?” Hudson asked.
“Soon, I hope,” I said. “I was actually about to message her.”
Zayn smirked. “Just don’t screw it up. Unicorns are rare, man. When you see one, you’ve got to catch it. It’s yours to lose.”
“Don’t I know it,” I muttered, pulling out my phone to send her a text. As I typed, I couldn’t help but think about her laugh, her smile, the way she’d looked at me like I was more than just another Bancroft. She was something else entirely, and I wasn’t about to let her slip away.
My message asked if we could get together. I knew she was at work and probably unable to get to her phone. That was fine as long as she knew I wanted to see her.
More like needed to see her.
I craved her. Not just her body but her . Being around Dixie was like drinking twenty cups of coffee but without the jittery side effects.
My phone buzzed almost immediately.
“Miss me already?” her text read.
I grinned. “Always,” I typed back. “Dinner tonight?”
“Can’t. Working late on a custom project for a client. Rain check?”
“Tomorrow then,” I responded. “I’ll pick you up. Send me your address.”
“Looking forward to it,” she said.
And just like that, my entire day brightened.