Throw the Town a Party
Jordy
Bec doesn’t fool around. Once I give her a list of my ideas for the perfect party, she runs with it.
She’s on the phone for another hour while I remain close by.
Ashton and Bob go back out to finish work while we remain at the house in party planning mode.
I overhear Bec talking to at least a dozen people, plus she starts an email chain with her Bridge group to spread the word to everyone in town.
By mid-afternoon, we have a solid plan. All I have to do is get dressed.
When Ashton returns, we leave Lottie with Bec, who insisted on caring for her throughout the evening so we could mingle with guests. I finish my makeup in the bathroom while Ashton takes over the bedroom.
“Are you ready for this?” he asks, walking down the hall, focused on the buttons of his white dress shirt.
Freshly shaven, fitted slacks, black leather dress shoes—he looks like something I can’t keep my hands off of.
But I keep them to myself. Even though we made up, there’s still an icy edge between us that doesn’t feel right.
He finally looks up and stops in his tracks. His eyes sweep over me.
“Hot damn, you’re a vision.”
Well, icy edge be damned. The look in his eyes could thaw glaciers.
“This old thing?” I do a little spin, showing off what cost me several months’ paychecks.
It’s a golden-toned sequined Eleri gown by Retrofête, with a plunging neckline, fitted waist, and a side slit that goes all the way to my thigh.
The straps gather into a draped panel of material from each shoulder.
Thick gold bracelets adorn my wrists, delicate gold drop earrings graze my shoulders, and I wear nothing on my neck, letting the gown speak for itself.
My hair is swept into a curled cascade, a waterfall of glamour.
Every penny spent is worth it, just for the way he’s looking at me.
“I changed my mind,” he says. “We’re not going out.
We’re staying in and I’m about to lick every inch of gold off your body.
” He cages me in his arms, and I pretend to struggle to get free, laughing the whole time.
His mouth finds my neck, and even though it sends chills straight to my core, I gently push him back.
“Oh no, you don’t,” I say. “I don’t need you leaving red marks all over my body like you’re staking a claim.”
“You and I both know there’s no claim to be staked,” he says, then kisses me on the cheek.
The words burn, as does the imprint of his kiss. He smiles as if he doesn’t mean anything by the words, even winking at me before he helps me with my wrap. But I feel it just the same—that frozen wall forming block by block between us.
Maybe it’s for the best.
We arrive at Timeless a little early, though Bec and Bob are already there managing vendors. Apparently she also has a key, which she sheepishly hands me while exclaiming over my dress.
“My god, you’re stunning,” she says, lifting the fabric of my sleeve so that it shimmers in the spotlights. She holds Lottie, who also reaches for the dress.
“Oh no, baby. We don’t need anything to tarnish this golden angel.”
All three of them are visions as well. Bec is wearing a pale blue chiffon dress that gathers at her waist and accentuates her figure.
Lottie is in a navy-blue Christmas dress, even though the holiday is almost two months away, and Bob is in a suit very much like Ashton’s, but in black instead of dark grey.
“Well, you all look incredible.”
I take a moment to absorb the beauty of the room, mesmerized by everything I see.
Not much extra has been done to spiff the place up, but there’s no need.
The dramatic lighting against the architecture and fixtures creates an ethereal look within the building, and the streetlights outside are like our own personal stars.
I can’t believe I won’t see this space again.
It’s so beautiful on its own, and honestly didn’t need much help from me.
Yet, seeing the plants from Leaf, the French country motifs from Lock those will arrive with Alexander tomorrow.
But right now, Timeless feels like a gathering place for neighbors, young and old.
My heart is near bursting as the party grows, the drinks flow, the music starts, and smiles are directed at everyone in this room, including me.
“Look what you did,” Ashton says, slipping an arm around my waist and kissing my cheek.
Even though things are weird between us, I welcome the warmth of his embrace, leaning into it. I look up at him, taking in his amber eyes, the plushness of his delicious mouth, the way he looks at me now in front of everyone. God, I’m going to miss this man.
“We all did this,” I murmur. “You, me, this whole town.” I press my lips against his, forgetting in the moment who’s watching. That is, until I hear a familiar hoot within the crowd. I grin against Ashton’s mouth, then turn to see Grace weaving her way through the crowd, followed by Michael.
“Finally!” she says, holding her hand up for a high five.
I roll my eyes, but return the gesture with a grin.
She’s draped in a flowy green chiffon gown, reminding me of a woodland fairy.
Michael is wearing a suit with pants that hang just above his ankles and loafers on his feet.
On anyone else, it’s questionable. On him, it’s high fashion.
“You both look stunning,” I tell them, “and it’s not like you didn’t know this was going to happen.” I raise an eyebrow.
“Oh honey, we knew before you knew it was going to happen.” Michael leans forward and plants a kiss on my cheek, then one for Ashton, who doesn’t even flinch.
I have to admit, it only makes me want him more.
“You two look like the queen and king of this soiree. It’s about time you two made it official. ”
“So, are you two going to do a cross-country thing?” Grace asks.
She appears hopeful, glancing between the two of us.
“Or maybe one of you is moving?” She looks pointedly at me with this, and I feel my face flush.
I look at my feet, unsure of what to say.
Thankfully, we’re interrupted when Griffin steps up with a tray of food.
“Guess you’re going public, huh?” He claps Ashton on the back, then leans forward to kiss me on the cheek. “Ms. Gallo, you sure clean up well when you’re not getting wasted at my bar.”
I roll my eyes. “That was one time, and you already saw me dressed up since then. And enough with the … well, whatever you think is going on with us.” I glance at Ashton quickly, then flick my eyes away when I realize he’s looking at me. Fuck, this is awkward. “Do none of you mind your business?”
“No,” they all say at once.
“Hello, have you ever lived in a small town?” Griffin asks, holding out a tray of wrapped figs toward me without even waiting for my answer. My eyes widen.
“Oh wow, Bec wasn’t lying. Those look incredible.” I take one then bite into it carefully. The flavor of salted meat, goat cheese, honey, and fig bursts in my mouth. “That’s sinful,” I moan.
“Wait till you try everything else,” he says.
“Who’s minding the restaurant while you’re here?”
He shakes his head. “Are you kidding? The whole town is here. We closed down shop and my servers are here instead.” He waves his hand toward the already larger crowd in the building, and I see several people in white shirts and black pants weaving through groups of people with large trays of food.
A buffet table is off to the side, artfully arranged with charcuterie, fresh bread, desserts, and glasses full of champagne.
The band starts up, a bluegrass group that everyone seems to know, judging by the way the crowd cheers upon the first notes.
I’m pretty sure this is going to cost me a fortune. I must have said so because Griffin shakes his head. “It’s not going to cost you a thing,” he assures me.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say that out loud,” I say, completely embarrassed. “Of course I’ll pay, and I’ll tip.”
“We have it covered,” he insists. “Come on.”
He takes my arm, and I look back at Ashton, who grins and nods me forward before he goes in search of Bec and his daughter.
Griffin shows me the huge, empty water jug at the entrance.
On it is a sign that reads “Donations for Local Staff,” and inside is a growing pile of money, getting larger with every person that enters through the door.
“We take care of our own,” Griffin tells me.
“That’s what it means to be in a small town. ”
He leaves me standing there by the bottle, feeling the floor drop out from under me.
Corporate town.
Alexander’s plans for this place tear at my gut. These people have no idea what’s in store for them. I don’t even know, but I have a pretty good idea.
And I can’t say a thing.
Alexander doesn’t deserve this shop. He doesn’t deserve this town. If he gets away with his plans, he’ll make a ruin of all the people here and force them out of town.
I take in the smiles of everyone around me, watching as they greet each other like family.
Many of them offer me the same warm looks, some touching my arm to thank me for bringing us all together, to exclaim over the use of this space, or to mention how they recognize some of the items from stores they love.
I smile back, though I’m starting to feel a little weak in my stomach. I grab a glass of champagne from a passing tray and down it before grabbing another.
“This is some party,” a voice says next to me. I turn, my breath catching at the sight of Bernie beside me.
We’ve avoided each other this whole time. Our first interaction soured me, though Ashton’s stories of her kindness softened the bitterness. Still, I’m sore about the armoire she wouldn’t sell. It shouldn’t matter—I’m leaving soon—but I can’t stop thinking about it.
“Hello Bernie,” I say coolly. I glance at her, then gawk.
She looks completely different than the last time I saw her.
Gone is the hotel uniform. She’s wearing a black evening gown, her silver hair in waves as it cascades around her shoulders, her face done up with light makeup. Frankly, she’s lovely.
“You look beautiful,” I breathe. She smiles, a stunning move. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her smile that way before, at least not in my direction. It softens her features, makes her look pretty even.
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” she says. I laugh, soliciting a wider grin from her. “I have to say, I had my doubts about you, but this place looks magnificent. It’s missing something, though.”
I peer around us, trying to spot anything that’s out of place. “What?”
“That armoire you fell in love with,” she says.
I feel a prickle of disappointment in my gut. She’s fucking with me, I just know it.
“Listen, if you came here to throw it in my—”
“No,” she says, holding her hands up, “I’m offering it to you.
For sale, of course. I know how much you wanted it.
Look, we got off on the wrong foot, and I’m afraid I wasn’t my best self.
” She looks around, then gestures at the whole of the room.
“I mean, look at what you’ve done, how you’ve brought us all together.
” A sad look crosses her expression as she looks around again.
“This is what this town is all about,” she says softly.
Oh man, how I want that piece. But knowing I’m leaving in two days, it seems even less important to have. I mean, Alexander won’t see the value in it, even with the high price tag. He likes new and modern, but this is a piece with history.
No, it belongs with someone who understands the stories within the piece.
“Bernie, I can’t. I know how much you love that piece, and honestly, you shouldn’t ever sell it. It was a part of your family’s history, and it belongs with you.”
She shakes her head. “Things are meant to be parted with. It’s the people you can’t replace. And what am I going to do with a silly old armoire? Especially since I have no place to put it.”
“What do you mean? You have Lock & Key, it belongs there.”
“That’s no longer her store,” a voice says behind me.
The air shifts, and I turn.
And there, in the doorway, is Alexander.