Chapter 30
A lthough my main reason for not wanting to attend Evora’s gala was to spare Andrea, having to wear a tuxedo was a close second. It’s constricting, rigid, and whoever invented bow ties didn’t like breathing. I’m tugging at the damn thing when Tamika opens the door.
She smiles upon seeing me dressed like this and then signs, “Andy is finishing up in her room.”
Then she steps to the side, allowing me in. While she returns to the couch to watch her show, I walk up to Andrea’s door and knock on it. “Come in!” she shouts from inside.
I do, finding her shuffling through a drawer of her dresser. My mouth can’t decide if it should fall open or twist into an appreciative smirk. Her floor-length dress is tight in all the right places, falling over her broad hips with meticulous draping. The light jade color contrasts with her skin, the satin cloth catching the light, giving her an ethereal aura.
When she turns around, I first notice the deep cleavage that stops right before her navel, and then the slit that runs high on her thigh. Fucking Christ, I’ll spend my evening fighting men off to keep them away from my woman. I’m so entranced by her dress that it takes me a moment to notice her hair isn’t curly. Then I see her makeup, which is objectively beautiful and highlights her big eyes and plump lips, but it makes me realize how much I love her in her natural state, bare of anything that isn’t her. At least she isn’t covered in foundation, so her freckles still shine through.
After a quick second of stupor upon seeing my appearance, she utters, “Oh, fuck you, Lex.”
“What? ”
“I’ve been preparing all day—it literally required three professionals to get to this. And all it took was a shower and a tux for you to look like this .”
“I actually went to the barber.”
“Such hardship,” she ironically says with a grin, approaching me. Amorously, she flattens her hands over my chest, caressing the fine fabric of my jacket. “My God, baby, how do you make a bow tie look hot and cute at the same time?”
Worth it .
“What happened there?” I ask, feeling a strand of her hair between my thumb and index.
“I got a blowout. Isn’t it nice like this?”
I don’t respond immediately, trying to think of what to answer. I shouldn’t make her doubt herself minutes before we leave, but I also try to be truthful whenever possible. “It looks nice, yes,” I say. “I prefer it wild and messy, though.”
She laughs. “Well, gala night calls for the opposite of that. But don’t worry, it’ll return to normal as soon as it gets wet.”
“Good.” I bend to kiss her, but she avoids me.
“Lipstick,” she explains.
“You mean I won’t get to kiss you the entire night?!”
“You’ll get to kiss me all you want after. Now, before we go,” she says, ripping herself away from me and twisting around. “Can you see my panty line?”
I look down, never one to refuse an opportunity to stare at her ass. “A little, yes.”
“Ugh, Mason’s friend was right. I can’t wear anything under this dress.”
She hesitates for a second before reaching through the slit high on her thigh. I watch as she shimmies it down her legs and then picks it up. With the delicate black lace in hand, she wonders what to make of it. “Give it to me,” I suggest.
“How naughty of you, Mr. Coleman,” she teases while handing me her discarded underwear.
I ball it up and slip it into my pocket. “It’ll serve as a reminder of what awaits after the gala,” I explain. “Now, can we go?”
“Yep. I just need to grab my coat.”
I offer her my arm, chivalrous, and she hooks hers with it, grinning with delight. Once we’re out on the street, she gapes at the limousine double-parked in front of her building’s entrance—a little surprise I planned for her.
“You got us a limo?!” she exclaims.
“It’s your first gala, so I thought I’d give you the full experience.”
With an incredulous giggle, she walks to the driver standing by the door. He opens it for us, I let her in first and then quickly join her in the luxurious space. There’s a bottle of champagne and two flutes waiting for us in an ice bucket, and I pour us two glasses once we’re off.
Andrea struggles to find a proper thing to toast to, so I suggest, “To your pretty dress and to me ripping it off later tonight.”
She snorts, and when I try to tap my glass with hers, she prevents it. “No, we need something better. Hmm… To forgiveness and growth.”
That’s definitely a good one for us, so I allow her glass to clink with mine. While she only takes a sip of her champagne, I down mine in one go.
“Are you nervous about tonight?” she intuitively asks.
“Not exactly, but I hate these evenings. The crowd, the noise, the overload of things happening everywhere… Plus, I’m still not sure it’s a good idea. I know you didn’t want me to miss Eva’s gala, but I promise I would have been fine not going, freckles.”
“But I wouldn’t have. I don’t want to be a bitch who doesn’t let anyone near you. Not when you work so hard to prove how much you love me, and how you couldn’t possibly want anyone else. You deserve my trust, Lex. You’ve earned it ten times over. And tonight, going there together is my way of showing you how much I mean it.”
I don’t know why it affects me as much as it does, but my chest tightens at her words. What she said all those weeks ago about having to win her trust back is still fresh in my mind. Knowing I did feels like the most amazing of gifts.
When I bend over to kiss her, she twists away. “Lipstick.”
Fuck, right. “Can I kiss you here?” I ask, grazing the soft expanse of her throat.
“Knock yourself out, baby,” she approves, tilting her head to the side to give me better access.
I bend and kiss her right there, sensing the pulse of her heart right against my lips. She sighs when I lay a second, more insistent kiss. Then I do it like I would her mouth, using my tongue and teeth, doing the best I can with what I have.
“Lex, I’m not wearing underwear,” she reminds me.
“As if I could fucking forget.”
“If I get out of this car and there’s a wet spot on the back of my dress, I will build a doghouse with my own hands so you can sleep in it for the next week.”
Her threat holds no weight. Not when she melts into me, her body begging for more even though her mouth protests. The easy access to her tits emboldens me to reach underneath her cleavage and palm one .
“The fuck is this?” I growl, sensing something foreign there. I slip the shoulder of her dress away, revealing a beige patch that covers her nipple.
“It’s to avoid potential nip slips,” she explains, adjusting her cleavage back in place. When I try to push it again, she escapes with a giggle and sits in the seat opposite mine. “You’re impossible,” she says with a shake of her head.
“And you’re telling me you’re okay with spending the evening with no underwear on, but you need that to feel protected?”
“In my defense, I fully intended on wearing my panties. And I don’t see how I could accidentally flash my pussy to anyone.”
“Maybe you can flash it to me now and then, when no one else is looking,” I suggest with a smirk.
“Like this?”
I’m not ready for it when she spreads the slit of her dress open, parting her knees just enough to flash me her delectable cunt. It doesn’t last long, but enough to trigger the need to kneel before her and sample her. Fuck, I might be the one with a wet patch by the time we get there.
“An hour,” I grunt, looking at the passing streets. “We stay an hour, and then I’ll take you home.”
I feel like I’m in some kind of Cinderella remake as we enter the incredible ballroom of the Campbell Imperial. Someone took our coats when we arrived, and we were then offered a wide choice of welcome cocktails on a lavish table with various hors d’oeuvres. Hundreds of guests and staffers are already there, and the opulence of it all has me feeling incredibly out of place. Especially since I’m not wearing anything under my dress.
It’s crazy to me that I’d never done that before, but it’s the second time in under a month that I find myself going commando like this. Lex really has a knack for taking me out of my comfort zone.
At least I’m very happy with my dress. I owe Mason a huge one for linking me up with his friend. And I owe his friend for finding the most beautiful ballet flats I have ever seen. The bedazzled slippers are so opulent, looking like they are made of gold, that I don’t feel bad about not wearing high heels after all. Better this than tripping every three steps.
The massive room is beautifully decorated for Christmas, with tones of rose gold and teal everywhere. Each table has a large centerpiece of pine tree branches and shiny and delicate ornaments. All around the room, immense Christmas trees have the same color palette, with ribbons, flowers, trinkets, lights… The small tree we assembled with Tami in our living room is pathetic in comparison. But there’s been so much going on that I barely had time to prepare for the Christmas season.
The place is packed, and I assume even more guests will arrive because the chairs are only partially filled. Massive round tables are spread around, and there’s a stage at the far end of the room, where a five-person orchestra plays a jazzy version of “Jingle Bells.” The amount of money being spent here is insane, especially since this is for charity. I can’t imagine how much money Evora hopes to raise to make up for all that extravagance.
Lex’s hand stays on my lower back the whole time the staff member leads us to our table. Once we reach it, we’re greeted by the familiar smiles of Kevin and his wife. They both stand up, and Michelle wraps me in a warm hug, which I wasn’t expecting.
“I was so happy when Kev told me you were coming, Andy,” she says as she releases me. “The boys will handle their business, and we’ll have one another to entertain ourselves.”
I admire her burgundy velvet gown, stunned by her elegance. The mermaid shape does wonders on her hourglass figure, and I can’t believe she had a baby less than two months ago. “You look stunning,” I tell her.
“You too. Look at this gorgeous dress…”
Kevin greets me next, and we all sit down.
“We’ve been meaning to invite you two for dinner,” Michelle explains. “Do you have any New Year’s Eve plans, Andy?”
“My roommate and I are hosting a small party.”
“Ah, Lex wasn’t sure if you could come or not. I guess we’ll have other opportunities.”
“Maybe I can drop by early on and then go to my party,” I offer.
“Nonsense, you can’t arrive late at your own party. I guess Lex will have to do without you for an evening. If he can, that is,” she humors, glimpsing at my man talking with hers.
Another couple joins us about five minutes later, and Lex introduces me as his girlfriend, omitting the fact that I work for them. It’s definitely better that way. I don’t want side looks from their big-shot investors the whole night. The table arrangement is a little tricky, and while I’m glad to be seated next to Lex, it’s hard to have a conversation with Michelle, three seats from me. We still manage, though, despite the increasing activity in the room.
At some point, Lex rests his hand on my thigh, which is exposed by the slit in my dress. Although his warm palm disturbs me at first, as well as his thumb mindlessly grazing my skin, I don’t prevent it, enjoying the contact. But when he subtly moves it toward my inner thigh, near my exposed pussy, the shivers that run through me become too much.
Bending toward him, I whisper in his ear, “My doghouse threat still stands.” His jaw twitches, and the shadow of a smile bends the corner of his lips upward. But his hand returns to its original position.
“Hello, everyone,” a woman greets to our left.
I freeze all over when I recognize it. And Lex must sense it because he gently squeezes my thigh. I force myself to look at her, containing the embarrassment I feel. I knew I’d see her again, and it was one of the reasons I wanted to come here tonight. I need to apologize for the way I treated her and convince her that I’m not the abusive girlfriend I passed for.
I return her smile the best I can, trying to push back the shame of my terrible behavior the last time we met. Evora is gorgeous, of course, with her wavy dark hair cleverly styled away from her face and makeup that makes her look even more beautiful than she already is. She’s wearing a bright red strapless jumpsuit embroidered with red crystals. Only she can wear pants at such an event and still be the most feminine woman in the room. Especially given how incredible her breasts look in that tight bustier.
Lex loves my boobs, Lex loves my boobs, Lex loves my boobs… I repeat internally.
“This is amazing, Eva,” Shelly says. “You always were gifted for these socialite events.”
“Thank you, darling. I’m sorry I won’t be here much. I have so many things to watch over and handle.”
“Are you seated with us?” Lex wonders.
“Didn’t Kev tell you? He wouldn’t let go until I accepted. I believe I’m right here,” she confirms, pointing at an empty chair not far from me. “But if I have time to sit for more than five consecutive minutes, it’ll be a miracle. If you need anything, ask a staffer. They know this is the actual VIP table.”
She’s off as quickly as she arrived, and the table returns to its discussions. I’m seated next to a representative from the NODA, the National Organization for Deaf Advocacy, which was definitely calculated. Kev has been pushing for a partnership with them for my app, and I get to talk to him about everything we’ve done and what we plan on adding soon.
Our table is full—most of them are—when the music stops. Two hosts walk up to the mic, a man and a woman, all smiles and elegant outfits. “Ladies, gentlemen, and everyone in between, welcome to the annual Elves of Campbell Gala. First of all, we would like to offer our most heartfelt thank you for your generous contributions tonight. So many tables were sold that we had to add a few more, which was a first.”
Everyone applauds, and the man explains the evening’s program. During the six-course dinner, there will be entertainment laced with three auction segments, for which they apparently have a record-breaking number of items gifted by guests. A local celebrity will sing for us, along with boys from the Future Stars Foundation , which aims to support education programs for underprivileged children. They actually come to introduce themselves and their charity, and then two more follow. There’s also Bright Horizons for Autism , which provides resources and help for children on the autism spectrum, and the Healing Hearts Initiative , which focuses on mental health for children in the foster system.
When I hear a familiar pop from Lex’s side, I see he’s cracking his knuckles—something I’ve noticed he does whenever he’s nervous. So, I slip my hand between his, stopping his methodical motions, and entwine my fingers with his thick ones, bringing our joined hands to my thigh and resting them there.
Soon after everyone leaves the stage, the jazzy orchestra returns, and the waiting staff begins serving the first course. That’s when Evora comes back. I’m entirely impressed by the amount of work it must have taken to organize all that, and even more puzzled by the fact that she stays in the shadows despite it being her big night. She’s letting those charities shine, and it only speaks to how much of a selfless person she is. And I treated her like shit I just stepped in…
I definitely don’t feel great about that, so I remain silent for the most part, eating my caviar on a bed of crème fra?che with a chive tuile. Evora leaves once the empty plates have been taken away, and we’re then served lobster bisque with a cognac cream drizzle while the first auction segment starts.
A few items reach insane prices, like a car or a month-long stay in a massive house in the Hamptons. I didn’t think I could feel more out of my element, but that does it for me. At some point, the auctioneer announces a Cartier watch for men, and although I’m not familiar with the brand, the model is very recognizable.
“Lex, it looks like the one your mother got you for your birthday,” I point out, bending toward him.
“It’s that exact watch, actually.”
Confused, I look at the wide screens above the stage where a woman shows off the watch to the cameras. When I gaze at him again, there’s something mischievous in his smile. He’s very proud of his deed. “Do you think she’ll put two and two together?” he wonders.
Oh, crap. I’ve been so preoccupied by everything else that it entirely slipped my mind that his mother was here. She did mention she was looking forward to it during Lex’s birthday dinner, but the mess that followed immediately after kind of took over.
Remembering that Miriam Coleman is among us somewhere, I anxiously scan the room, trying to catch a glimpse of her. Wherever she is, she isn’t near us. The ugly watch goes for almost eighty thousand dollars, and I nearly choke on air. Oh, my fucking God. What is wrong with rich people?!
Well over an hour goes by, and between the food that keeps on coming, the entertainment, the auctions… I don’t think either Lex or I remember we planned on leaving early. I’m having more fun than I expected, so I don’t feel the need to escape as much as I thought I would.
“Before we start our last bids, we have a very special item for you tonight,” the auctioneer announces when the third segment begins. “Our lovely hostess, the organizer of this wonderful event, Evora Campbell, has offered a date with her as a bid.”
Just as he finishes his sentence, the half-Brazilian beauty enters the stage, waving at the applauding crowd. The cameras follow her, her gorgeous face and smile appearing on the screens.
The auctioneer continues introducing the odd prize. “The date consists of a dinner with Miss Campbell, right here in the dining hall of the Campbell Imperial, and will start at a hundred thousand dollars.”
Hot damn, that’s an expensive dinner.
“This is a little weird, isn’t it?” I discreetly ask Lex.
“It’s tradition. Her father started it, and she kept it going once she took over.”
“Her father offered a date with himself?” I say, confused.
“No, a date with her .” That doesn’t sound right, but I obviously have no idea how things work in the world of the rich and famous.
The bids quickly go up, and when it gets to nearly half a million, I get it. It’s only a few hours in exchange for a shit ton of money. A shame it’s decrepit old men who bid for that date.
“Can’t you guys bid on this?” I ask both Lex and Kevin.
“She knew what she was doing when she offered herself as a prize,” Kev explains.
“You guys are awful friends,” I retort. The biddings slow down, and I seriously consider outbidding the old perverts.
“Five hundred and seventy thousand dollars going once, going twice—”
“A million,” someone shouts.
Oh. My. God. The auctioneer gasps, the whole room gasps, I gasp, and even the chair under me gasps. As if single-minded, we all turn to see who the fuck is crazy enough to pay that much money for one evening with anyone. Evora is gorgeous, but still .
The man is easy to spot, still holding his hand up. At least he isn’t old or fat. Damn, he’s rather attractive, actually. Once the auctioneer dismissed his stupor, he does his job and gavels the deal down.
“A million is insane,” I say once we return our attention to the table.
“That’s the price of a table tonight,” Lex explains.
“Really?”
“Yes. Except the four right before the stage, which are five million each.”
Flabbergasted, I turn to the tables he mentioned. The man who just bid on Evora is at one of them, surrounded by pretty women and men. If he’s that rich, maybe a million dollars makes a little more sense.
“How much would you bid for me?” I playfully ask Lex.
“I don’t have to bid for you, freckles.”
“Hypothetically, though, how much would you be willing to pay if you could win… let’s say a sloppy toppy from me.”
He frowns. “What’s that?”
“A blow job.”
“Oh… Well, morally, I wouldn’t want to pay for that kind of favor from my girlfriend, Miss Walker. But knowing how good you are at it, I’d say way more than a million.”
I giggle, delighted by his answer. “I’ll give you a discount and do it for free.”
“Maybe we should get home and handle that, then.”
“That’s actually a good idea. But I need to use the bathroom first.”
“Me too. Then we’ll say goodbye to everyone and take our leave.”
“Perfect. Let’s go.”
Lex and I walk to the bathroom, then separate to our gendered ones. I do my business quickly, eager to get home, and as I’m washing my hands, I see a familiar face appear in the mirror in front of me. Evora is in one of the stalls, awkwardly passing her head out of it as she looks around. When she sees me, something lights up on her face.
“Andrea, perfect!” she says as she waves for me to join her.
Really fucking confused, I dry my hands and walk up to her. I don’t have time to ask what’s happening before she tugs me into the stall with her, holding the front of her loose bustier with her arm. Thankfully, the stalls are spacious, like every single part of this hotel, it seems, so we aren’t awkwardly pushed into one another.
“I am so sorry,” she explains. “I have a wardrobe malfunction, and my assistant isn’t picking up her phone, and I’ve been trying to fix it for five minutes, and—”
“Turn around,” I quickly say, ready to help. She complies and gathers her hair over her shoulder. Oh, the hook at the top of her corset is broken. I pull her zipper up, but it immediately slides down again from the tight fit.
“Shit,” I mutter, trying to find a way to make it hold.
“I swear to God, I’m never wearing anything like this ever again. Having to get naked to pee is one thing, but this? What was I thinking?!” she laments.
“You look incredible, so don’t let a little hiccup take that away from you.”
She lets out a small laugh. “Thank you.”
“It did get you a million-dollar date,” I tell her.
“Ugh, don’t remind me. Especially given who won it.”
“You know him?” I wonder, still trying to find a solution.
“Yes, his family is our most direct rival. And now, I’m forced into an evening with this pompous and pretentious… man.”
“I mean, you married Lex, so it’s not like you aren’t used to that,” I joke. That falls so flat that I consider abandoning her to her unruly zipper. Why the fuck do I always have to say the most awkward things?!
“Can I have this?” I ask, touching a pin in her hair.
“Yes, go ahead,” she approves, taking it out herself to hand it to me. “I have a million things to do, so whatever it takes to not get back out there with my breasts out.”
“That’d probably get you two million for a date.”
She laughs frankly, which makes holding the corset together a little complicated. “You’re funny,” she notes.
“I’m told I’m even funnier when I’m drunk. Though you might disagree,” I add with an embarrassed wince.
“If it’s reassuring, you make a much better second impression than the first.” That is reassuring. A lot more than it should. “Are you managing,” she asks, twisting her head to the side.
“Almost there. It helps that you’re so tall it’s almost at eye level for me.”
“It was worth wearing those heels, then—even if they’re killing me.”
“You should have gone with flats, like me.”
She looks down at my feet, so I bring one forward to show her a shoe. “Those are so cute! You’ll have to let me know where you found them. And your dress as well—it’s beautiful.”
“It’s from a small Seattle creator. I’ll send you his Instagram. He got me the shoes, too.”
Once I have the hairpin in place, I lift the zipper and tell her to let go of the front of her bustier. She does, and everything stays in place. She tries moving around a little, taking a deep breath, twisting to the sides, and nothing moves .
“God, you’re a genius, thank you so much,” she appreciatively says, turning around.
“My pleasure, really. I actually hoped I’d get a moment alone with you tonight to apologize for my behavior the other day.”
Evora’s smile is compassionate, which isn’t the emotion I expected. “Lex has that effect on us, doesn’t he? He used to drive me insane.”
“He did?”
She folds her slender arms together, visibly flustered. “I don’t want this to be weird because it was a long time ago and I have moved on, but yes, he really did.”
I never could understand why she would agree to that terrible sex deal for four entire years, but I think I get it now. Only one thing could have such a woman endure it for that long.
“You were in love with him,” I let out before I can think. The way her eyes go huge with shock shows how inappropriate my assumption is. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t want to imply anything. It was an intrusive thought that just—”
“No, it’s okay. You caught me off guard is all. I was, yes. Kev knew, but Lex never figured it out. I still don’t think he knows. Back then, part of me hoped he’d see it and reciprocate, so I pushed it until marriage, which was like… Wake up, girl!” she says to herself.
“Honestly, I get it. There’s something about him that’s so lovable, it’s hard not to.”
“Exactly. And I was young, foolish, and so excited. I mentioned getting a house together hours after the ceremony, and he told me there was no point in doing that since things worked perfectly the way they were.”
My jaw actually drops at that. “What an asshole…”
“You said it, not me. Four years. It took me four years to realize I was waiting for a miracle that would never happen. And I’m glad I didn’t stick around because it took him over eight more years to finally fall in love,” she adds. “And now that I’ve met you sober, I think I get why he did.”
I’m tongue-tied, unsure how to even answer that. I didn’t expect any kind of approval from her. Hell, I didn’t even expect her to forgive me for the way I treated her two weeks ago. But there she is, giving me her blessing.
“Jesus fuck, you’re unreal,” I say, too shocked to think properly.
Slightly taken aback, she asks, “Excuse me?”
“Sorry, I-I knew your public persona, and honestly, it sounded ridiculous because no one is actually that nice and perfect. But you really are, aren’t you? You’re literally the best person to have ever existed. ”
Her pearly laugh is ridiculously opulent, the perfect blend of wealth and genuineness. “I’m not sure I’d say that, but I always try to be the best person I can.”
“And you’re blowing it way out of the park. You can slow down a little, have a few scandals attached to you or something.”
I swear I don’t keep making her laugh because I love the sound of it. But almost. “From what Lex and Kev told me, you’re not so bad yourself. Thank you, by the way, for convincing him to come tonight.”
“You know about that?”
“Yes, Kev shared that little detail with me. I think he wants us to get along since I’m an important part of his life, and you’re on your way to becoming one as well.”
“Wait until we tell him what happened in this stall,” I humor.
“Thank you, again. And don’t worry about the other night. If I had a significant other who met his ex like that, I’d go nuts, too.”
“Especially if his ex is as hot as you are.”
She flattens a hand over her chest at the compliment. “Maybe you should have bid on that date.”
“I almost did, to save you from those decaying old men. I would have made Lex pay up.”
Evora shakes her head with amusement, her lush hair flowing over her shoulders. “A date with your boyfriend’s ex paid for by your boyfriend… You really are one of a kind, Andrea.”
“Andy, please. I just spent five minutes breathing down your neck to fix your zipper. Or like, down your back”
“Then I’m Eva.” She extends her hand like she did that night, and I immediately shake it this time. “It’s very nice finally meeting you, Andy.”
“And I never thought I’d say that, but it’s very nice meeting you too, Eva.”
Something passes between us, and I think the last shred of doubt I might have had about her and Lex vanishes. She’s an incredible person, and if anyone’s to blame in this whole mess, it’s Lex. He should have fallen in love with her back then.
What an idiot …
“Alright, as much as I wish I could stay and talk, I need to ensure everything is running smoothly. So, thank you again for helping me out, Andy, and I genuinely hope we’ll meet again soon.”
“Yeah, me too. Lex and I are heading out, but we had a fantastic evening. Thank you so much for organizing all that.”
“My pleasure, darling. Until next time,” she greets, unlocking the stall and stepping out. I stand there alone for a moment, kind of in shock at what happened. But when a woman opens the door, I’m reminded that I can’t stay here, and that Lex is waiting for me.
I find him by a tall Christmas tree near the restroom, checking on his watch. “I’m here, sorry,” I wince as I join him.
“What did you do in there?” he wonders as he slips a hand around my waist.
“I was protecting your ex-wife’s modesty.” He frowns down at me, confused. “She had a wardrobe malfunction and needed a hand. I got to apologize for how I handled our first encounter, and we talked a little.”
“You did?” It isn’t lost on me that he’s tense, surely worried there’s a new fire to put out.
“Yes, and I reached the conclusion that you’re an absolute idiot.”
“Why?”
“Because she’s genuinely incredible, and you should have fallen in love with her when you had the opportunity.”
He chuckles, tugging me closer. “That’s a privilege I reserve for foul-mouthed raccoons. Speaking of your mouth, you owe me a free… sloppy toppy, was it?”
“Yep. Let’s head home.” He chuckles again, and we turn around, ready to go. Our enthusiasm is instantly killed when we come face-to-face with the last person I want to see right now.
Miriam Coleman glares at me with the same annoyance she did the last time I met her. But as troubling as she is in her golden dress and perfectly matching jewelry, the man standing next to her brings even more dread.
At least a decade older than her, he stands tall in his impeccable tuxedo. His wrinkled face is too familiar not to know exactly who that is. Not when I’ve stared into similar gray irises for as long as I have.
“Aren’t you going to introduce us, Alexander?” the man asks, looking at Lex with contentment.
Fuck me. I’m about to meet Lex’s father, and as I did for the rest of his family, I’m not wearing underwear.
Gotta appreciate the consistency.