Chapter 33
LAWSON
After hours spent fixing the last of the decorations and settings for the gala—with Ruby’s help, of course—my bones are weary.
Who knew building out a space for a prestigious event would be so damn intense.
The boys all came to give us a hand. Miles for the muscle.
Dex and Griff got put on centerpiece duty, not daring to argue with Rubes.
Damn, it was amusing. Bossy little sister had all three of them sorted out.
Reed worked his tail off, scaling things to hang lights, despite the Met staff insisting he was an occupational hazard. That got a chuckle out of him.
Ruby and I sent Carlie home early to get ready and spend some much-earned time with Millie before tonight. She’s been killing herself over this gala. And since the whole ‘lying until we can fix this problem’ thing was my stupid idea, I feel responsible for her current exhaustion.
Plus, Rubes wanted to add some extra touches to the enormous space as a surprise, and I can’t wait to see the look on Carlie’s face when she experiences the full Ruby Robbins experience.
I straighten my bow tie, brushing imaginary lint from my tux. I’m nervous.
As I fucking should be—I could have sunk everything by withholding Serenity House’s real situation. And I fully intend on taking the blame if this implodes on us. It’s the right thing to do.
Besides, I made a promise to Carlie to protect her heart, and this is definitely included. Her work, her career, is her life. She’s done well for herself and kept a roof over Millie’s head. God, how many people can claim that level of humility?
I double-check my hair in the mirror and don some aftershave. It burns my skin after the second shave of the day. I highly doubt five-o’clock shadow is Met-Gala appropriate. Or maybe it is . . .
My phone lights up.
Are you on your way? Don’t be late picking us up, okay, Cowboy?
I chuckle and tap out a reply.
Wouldn’t dream of it, Princess.
My little control freak. Who am I kidding, I love it. I grew up under the guidance of a strong, capable woman. My brothers each married one. It’s familiar to us.
And Carlie just fits.
Inexplicably so.
My phone lights up again.
We should be there a few minutes early, my love. See you there!
Ma.
She’s been jumping out of her skin since she received the invite. Which is hilarious, since it came from Rubes.
But I know she is dying to spend time with Carlie and be part of our lives for even a moment. My mother is the essence of unconditional love.
I send a message back.
See you there, Ma.
The message pops with a heart.
I swipe up my wallet and keys and head downstairs. The Uber I ordered waits out front. Not exactly a knight in shining armor. I don’t even have my own vehicle, for fuck’s sake. Carlie offered to take her car, but that defeats the purpose of me picking her up.
I settle into the back seat and relay my instructions to the driver. He nods, and we’re heading for Carlie’s a heartbeat later.
“Close your eyes, Princess.”
My entire family and the rest of the work crew are already inside.
Me, I pretended to leave my wallet in the Uber, getting Reed to escort Millie and Henry inside so I could be the one to take Carlie in.
Her hand slips inside mine, and I check her eyes are in fact closed before leading her toward the steps of the Met.
I take her in.
Her body is wrapped in a slinky black dress that highlights her delicious figure, dipped low to show off her cleavage that’ll have me scowling at every fucker who so much as glances her way.
Massive soft waves of hair tumble over her right shoulder, pinned to one side.
Strappy silver heels poke through her split hem with every step, as does one long elegant leg. A fluffy dark coat keeps her warm.
Dammit, I should have kept my attention straight ahead, because now I feel the need to adjust myself in my suit pants.
And the way she smells.
Sweet Jesus, it’s going to be a long damn night.
“Steps, Princess. First step now.”
She steps, a little awkward as her grip around my biceps tightens. “Is this really necessary? I was literally part of the prep crew.”
“You were, but I want this night to be everything it can be. Humor me?”
“Fine. But if I face-plant on the concrete outside the Met in front of the most incredible event I’ve ever been a part of, I will never forgive you.”
I chuckle. “Deal.”
She hums a disapproving sound, and I lean in. “I’ve got you, baby.”
We ascend the steps, and I halt her before the doors as they check our names off the list.
“Thanks,” I say to the tall guy in the suit with an earpiece and wire before turning to Carlie. “Eyes closed, remember?”
“At this rate, we’ll be late.”
“Not late, making an entrance.”
“Good lord, what does that even mean?”
We walk toward the event hall where two more men in suits hold the door handles. They open the doors simultaneously as we approach and wave us in with polite smiles.
“Open your eyes.”
We cross the threshold to the gala as she flicks her eyes open.
“Holy shit . . .”
Above us, a glittering blanket of fairy lights imitates the night sky. Round tables with white tablecloths fill the floor, surrounded by golden gilded chairs with white sashes. In the center, a giant Christmas tree, almost putting the foyer’s tree to shame, stands lit up like . . . well, Christmas.
Traditional Christmas songs play softly over the speakers, the croon of a Dean Martin holiday album tangling with chatter, clinking champagne glasses, and laughter. Waitstaff wind through the crowd with appetizers and fresh drinks, all dressed in black and white.
Women in evening gowns and men in tuxedos populate any free space between the tables, some already sitting at their designated seats. The string quartet is seated on the stage, waiting for their cue.
“Lawson,” she gasps.
Her eyes swell with tears, and she scrunches her face, trying to stem their fall.
“Merry Christmas, Princess.”
“Oh, yeah. Merry Christmas.” Her eyes study my face as her lips curl into the prettiest smile.
“Come on, let’s find some people.”
We find Reed and Ruby first, and Carlie all but flies into Ruby’s arms.
“Hey, you like our extra little touches?” Reed says, beaming like it was his idea.
“Yes, I do, very much.” Carlie smiles at him.
Ruby slaps his shoulder. “He says our, but it was all Lawson’s idea.”
She turns to me, her mouth agape. “What did you do?”
“Just added a few details. Nothing much.” I grin at her, and she narrows her eyes.
Smart woman.
Mum’s the word on the new activities on the agenda for tonight. Who am I to spoil the biggest PR event of her career?
“Ladies and gentlemen, if you would kindly take your seats, the entrée will be served momentarily,” the emcee—one of New York’s bravest—says.
Miles meets my gaze. He’s one hell of a showman when he wants to be something other than a broody motherfucker trying to keep us in line.
Tonight is about raising money for Serenity, a cause he is one hundred percent behind.
“Oh! Miles.” Carlie leans in as we wander the room to find our table. “You didn’t tell me Miles was the emcee; I thought it would be someone at the office. I like this much better.”
I’m hoping the guests here tonight do, too, and dig deep for our charming firefighter as he hosts the night.
Millie sits with my parents as we file in and find our seats.
Mack and Grace arrive next, Gracie as radiant as ever and almost due to give birth.
I’m surprised that brother of mine let her venture this far from home.
Hudson, Addy, and Hattie take their seats next as Reed and Ruby fill the last two at our table.
The gang’s all here.
My family.
Our family.
And it feels fucking right.
Ma is deep in conversation with Millie as the food comes around. I saw my parents at their hotel earlier when Reed and Rubes finished the prep and went back. I spent over an hour catching up on things back home, but all anyone wanted to talk about was Carlie.
In true Rawlins fashion, my brothers saluted like idiots every time someone said her name.
Only to earn eye rolls from me and knowing looks from Gracie.
From our table, I spot the work crew at a table headed by Serelle and who I assume is her husband. The rest of the tables are packed with New York’s most wealthy, chatting away like this is an everyday thing for them. Hell, it probably is.
“Uncle Lawson?” Hattie tugs at my sleeve.
“Hey, sweetie, what’s up?”
She leans closer, her little face screwed up as she darts her gaze around the table. “Why is there so many forks?”
The scrunched-up expression on her face makes me chuckle, and I tamp it back before saying, “One’s for eating, the rest are for slingshots.”
“Ooooh, okay. Thanks.”
“Laws, you did not just tell her that,” Addy says, shaking her head, but the smile that claims her face is priceless. Hudson leans back, his arm wrapped around the back of Addy’s chair, his gaze full of adoration as he watches his small daughter pick up each fork and inspect it.
As the food rolls out and the band starts up, the story of Serenity House and the impact it has had on the folks of New York tumbles from Miles’s mouth.
He has the entire room enraptured by the time he comes to the part that’s had my stomach in knots for weeks.
Asking for donations to keep the House up and running.
To add to our impact, service, and facilities.
Carlie grabs my thigh under the table. Her grip is so tight, I resist the urge to flinch. Instead, I slide my hand under hers and lace our fingers together, leaning into her. “Breathe, Princess. We did everything we could. People will put their money where their mouth is, you’ll see.”
I sound more confident than I feel.
As Miles announces donations will be accepted at the table by the door and online, I feel Carlie’s pulse kick up where her wrist is pressed to mine.
“One last matter of housekeeping before the entertainment for the night. Donations close at midnight. So make your mark now, ladies and gentlemen. Leave your legacy and go big.”
He sets the microphone on the small table behind him and exits the stage. Chatter floods in as men and women get out their phones around the room. On the back of each person’s name card is a prompt to donate above a QR code. People start scanning and tapping as the chatter rises.
“This is what we came here for,” Pa says, pulling out his phone and sliding on his reading glasses. My brothers all do the same.
“I need some air.” Carlie squeezes my hand, rising from her seat and winding her way through the tables before she disappears through the double doors.
“I think that’s your cue, Laws.” Grace rests a hand on my arm, nodding at the doors.
I dot a kiss to her forehead and make my way after Carlie.
Outside the doors, I find her pacing, her hands wringing in front of her as she stalks a small strip of marbled floor, heels clacking as she worries her bottom lip through her teeth.
She spins back, striding toward me, and I step into her path, gripping her shoulders. “Hey, tell me.”
She shakes her head, shaking my hold free.
“Carlie,” I plead. “We’re going to make it.”
She snaps her gaze to mine. “You don’t know that, Lawson.”
“No, I don’t. But you have to have a little faith.”
“Faith? If we hadn’t—” She scans the foyer quickly, lowering her voice to a whisper as she says, “If we hadn’t lied, we wouldn’t be in this position.”
“But we wouldn’t have had a chance to make things better, either.”
“It’s a million dollars, Lawson. One million.” She huffs a furious sound before waving her hands through the air. “I will not lose this job. I will not.”
I know it’s a big gap to fill—
Hang on, what’s that supposed to mean?
Is she going to blame everything on me and offer me up as the sacrificial lamb to Serelle so she can keep her job?
“Carlie, don’t do this!”
She marches for the door. I follow behind, catching up as she makes it inside. The second we do, the noise is deafening. Women at every table are waving their hands, phones, and purses.
What the actual hell?
I flick my gaze to my family’s table. Addy’s laughing, holding her hands over Hattie’s ears. Gracie is cheering as Mack stares at her, arms crossed over his chest. Ma has spun around on her chair, but Ruby is . . .
On the goddamn stage.
“Okay, ladies, this one is really special. And I know you’re going to love him as much as we do. Next up in our auction is none other than the man who takes care of business for Serenity House, Lawson Rawlins! Come on up, Lawson. Ladies, hold those bid cards high.”