Chapter 20
Duke pulled into Vivi’s neighborhood and glanced at the clock. Good thing he’d planned to pick her up as early as he had. He didn’t mind that she’d declined his offer for a limo or town car, but he couldn’t help but feel anxious as he considered what the LA traffic might be like tonight.
But there was more to that uneasy feeling than worry over the traffic.
Tonight’s gala, a Stanford Alumni one at that, contained the same elements from that horrible prom ten years ago.
He was taking the right woman this time, but that didn’t change the fact that he’d be announcing the scholarship award with none other than Sylvia Sampson. On a live stream, no less.
The woman was known for her hot temper and entitled ways. And Duke had turned her down on more than one occasion leading up to that night.
But what did that matter? They never had dated outside of that one night. He’d never been interested in Sylvia, and he didn’t owe her anything.
Duke nodded as the truth of that settled into his mind. She had no reason to embarrass herself or anyone else that night. Things would be just fine.
As he pulled up to the curbside, Duke recognized the SUV parked in the driveway. It belonged to Viv’s parents, Emilio and Anna, who’d be watching the boys tonight. He’d hit it off with the couple while Duke and Viv were dating back in college. This time around, they were as kind as they ever were.
The boys were first to open the door before Duke even climbed out of the car.
“Hi Duke,” Dante called as he bolted down the steps.
Diego was at his heels. “You’re taking my mom to a dance.”
“I sure am,” Duke said as the boys greeted him with a series of handshakes and fist-bumps they’d made up.
“My grandma says she’s taking a picture of you guys before you leave,” Diego said.
“Even though Mom says no ‘cause it’s too embarrassing.”
They trotted alongside Duke as he made his way up the stairs. “Here,” Diego said, pulling open the door.
But Duke shook his head. “Since I asked your mom to come on this special date with me, I’ve got to ring the doorbell before I go inside.”
“That’s how you’re supposed to do dates?” Dante asked with an eye squinted against the sunset.
“Yes,” Duke said.
The boys shut the door and hurried onto the grassy area out front. “Okay,” Diego said. “Good luck.”
Duke pressed the doorbell, then turned to glance over his shoulder at the boys. “Did you guys already see her dress?” he asked.
The twins nodded. “Yep.”
“It’s real pretty.”
Anna cracked open the door. “Don’t you look nice,” she said, motioning for him to come inside. The twins followed him in.
“Wow,” Anna said. “You two are going to make one gorgeous couple.”
“Ah,” Emilio said from the lounge chair in the corner. “He looks okay.”
Duke chuckled, familiar with the man’s humor by now.
“You get me in a tux,” he continued, “you’d really have something to look at.”
“You do look dashing in a tux,” Anna agreed.
Duke was about to make a comment of his own when Vivi stepped around the corner and into view. Talk about stunning. The soft tresses of her long, wavy hair accented the slender shape of her arms and the lovely curve of her hips.
She was beautiful from bottom to top, but it was that confident gleam in her eye that made Duke’s heart jump every time. He blew out a whistle. “I am one lucky guy,” he said.
“You can say that again,” mumbled her father from his chair. “Just what time are you kids going to be home?”
“Oh, stop,” Anna said with a laugh. The woman hurried over to Vivi and took hold of the chain around her neck. “The clip has slipped clear to the locket,” she said. “Make a wish and I’ll put it right.”
Viv glanced down to take hold of the chain. Duke knew what was coming next; it was something she’d done while they were in college too. She closed her eyes for a blink, gave the locket and clip a kiss, then spun the chain until the clip was behind her neck where it belonged.
“There you go,” her mom said. “Now let’s get some pictures.”
“Mom,” Vivi groaned. “I feel like I’m back in high school.”
“It’s just a few pictures,” Anna promised, shooing them to go stand by the door.
Viv bumped Duke in the arm. “I think they’re doing pictures at the gala, aren’t they?”
Duke considered that. “Probably, but we can still pose for these too.” He placed a hand on the small of Viv’s back and smiled at Anna’s phone camera.
“Thank you, Duke,” the woman said after tipping the phone from one angle to the next. “Okay, you guys have fun.”
Duke grinned. It really did feel like they were back in their youth with Viv’s parents there to snap photos and see them off.
“Bye, Mom and Duke,” Diego said, rushing in to give Vivi a hug.
Dante did the same. “Have fun guys.” The boys did the special handshake with Duke once more before waving them off as well.
“Be good for Grandma and Grandpa,” Viv called over her shoulder.
And then they were off.
At the car, Duke held open the door for her and took her hand as she climbed in. It wasn’t until he was settled behind the wheel that he spoke up once more. “This does feel like prom,” he admitted.
“Right?” Viv gave him a wide-eyed look of appreciation. “It’s trippy.”
Duke nodded and reached for her hand. “Guess it’s my second chance to do this right.” He turned over the key, revved up the engine, and spun the car around on the quiet street.
Duke had meant what he’d said; this did, in some ways, feel like his second chance at the night he blew so long ago. The trouble was, despite the fact that he’d asked the right woman this time around, there was still potential for things to go awry. He’d need to keep his guard up just in case.
Viv lifted her glass and reached it toward the center of the banquet table. Beneath a set of glistening lights, a dozen other glasses waited.
“Here’s to Duke finally asking out the right woman,” James razzed.
“To a dance, no less,” Betzy added.
Chuckles lifted over the group. “Right,” Duke said through a grin. “And here’s to Dad and Grandpa Benton, whose legacies live on through not only us, but in scholarship programs throughout the next generation.”
Warmth stirred in Viv’s heart as the group clinked their glasses one by one. “Cheers.”
Betzy leaned in from across the table and leveled a look at Viv. “Good thing Sylvia’s been behaving herself,” she said with a nod.
Viv followed Betzy’s gaze to see the woman making the rounds at a nearby table.
Trailing a hand along one man’s shoulder while cupping the chin of an older gentlemen seated next to him.
Sylvia’s gown was bright red and shimmering, like the dress she’d tried on at the boutique, but she’d selected a different cut.
One that plunged extra low at the neckline, especially when she leaned over, as she was doing before the table of men.
“She’s drunk,” Camila said.
Viv’s eyes widened as she glanced back to the group. “She is?”
“Totally,” Kat agreed, tipping her head for a better view. “Don’t you think, babe?” she asked Zander.
“What’s that?” Zander had been talking to Duke, but at Kat’s question, the two set their attention on her.
“It looks like Sylvia is wasted,” Betzy blurted this time.
Viv felt her face flush with heat as the entire group shot less-than-discreet glances toward the table. A familiar trill echoed over the space. The same cackle that Sylvia had belted out after joking about locking Duke’s date in a dungeon.
Duke shook his head. “Great,” he mumbled. “She’s got, like, ten minutes to sober up and announce. How do you think that’s going to go down?”
He turned the question on the group. “Should I tell someone to find a replacement?”
James pulled a cringe face. “Maybe.”
“I would,” Zander agreed, but the women weren’t so sure.
While Camila bit at her lip and Kat kept her eyes trained on the spectacle, Betzy shook her head absently, her brow furrowed in thought.
“If you find a replacement for her, you better get someone to escort her off the property first. She isn’t wearing that dress for nothing.
That woman wants to be noticed. I doubt she’ll give up her spot in the limelight without a fight. ”
The worry Viv read in Betzy’s face echoed her concern. Sharp knots began bouncing inside Viv’s tummy. She turned a concerned look on Duke.
“What do you think?”
Duke shot to his feet. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“I’ll help.” Betzy shot to her feet, and soon the two were off, darting into the crowd along the outskirts of the tables.
Viv glanced to the podium next, another round of knots bumping within her, causing physical chaos to go with the upset in her head.
Something wasn’t right. She didn’t know how she’d do it, but Viv was certain Sylvia planned to target her once again.
“Good evening, everyone,” came a voice overhead. It was the gentleman who’d been hosting the event through live broadcasts throughout the night.
“We hope you’ve enjoyed the dinner, the drinks, and the fine company of fellow Stanford alumni here tonight.”
The crowd cheered as several guests lifted a glass in affirmation.
“Please be advised that in less than five minutes, we’ll be going live for our final segment of the evening: the scholarship award honoring one of Stanford’s very own alumni, announced by two special guests, a couple crowned queen and king at Stanford’s prom exactly ten years ago.
As our camera crew prepares with the countdown, I’ll ask Mr. Duke Benton and Ms. Sylvia Sampson to join me up here in preparation. Thank you.”
Light music poured over the space as the man stepped away from the mic.
“Great,” Kat said. “It might be too late to stop her.”
James nodded. “True, but what harm can she do? Besides make a fool of herself.”
Camila cupped a hand around James’ shoulder. “It seems like she has it out for Viv and Duke,” she explained.