Chapter 80
HARPER
The elevator dings, and Alex enters, a large bouquet of flowers in his hands.
“You look better,” he says, crossing to me and dropping a kiss on my mouth.
“For me?”
“Of course. I missed you this afternoon,” he says.
I took the afternoon off to visit Callie and baby Logan.
She’s one of the few people I’ve revealed my identity to.
I’ve also told all of Alex’s friends. We invited them around for dinner.
They loved all the cloak-and-dagger secrecy until Alex pointed out my life had been in danger.
Three enormous bouquets turned up the next day, along with poetic notes of apology.
I smile up at him as he leans closer.
“I feel remarkably better,” I say with a grin taking the bouquet and placing it on the side before sliding my hands up his chest and around his neck.
He deepens our kiss. “I’m glad.”
“My miraculous recovery is down to the fabulous Greta.”
“Well, remind me to give her a summer bonus,” he says, kissing me again, before manoeuvring us to the sofa.
“I’ve got something to ask.”
I quirk a brow, and he grins.
“I have a charity event this weekend… before you say anything, it’s closed-door. No press are allowed inside. I’m attending with the guys, and we can stay at the hotel, so you won’t need to walk the red carpet. I can go alone, but it would mean a lot for me to have you by my side.”
My heart rate increases.
“No press?”
“Only outside. They don’t want to publicise the size of the donations or who made them.”
I’ve attended several of these types of events before. Larger donations are often made when the donors can remain anonymous.
I smile and take his hand in mine. “It’s not a question of whether I want to, it’s whether you’re ready to let the rest of the world in if I’m spotted.”
So far, it’s not been too bad. My reappearance barely warranted a mention on page thirty-five of one of the American newspapers.
Since my return, we’ve let several of the main players, like the board of directors, Elise and Sue, in on my true identity, but besides that, I’m still Brooke.
We’ve also disclosed our relationship. The fact that I’m growing baby Bianchi will soon be hard to hide.
Alex grins. “You know my take on this,” he says, pulling me forward and flush against him, my hands resting on his chest.
“Okay then,” I say, with a slight tilt of my lips.
“Okay? Really?” Alex asks, his face lighting up. “Mother and Enzo are going to be there. Callie is also going to be attending. We’ve got our own table, so there shouldn’t be any issues.”
“Callie, really? She didn’t say anything. Er… Alex, how’s your mother going to take it? Us going public?” I tap his chest, and then mine.
“I really don’t give a flying,” he says. “I’m forty years old. I don’t need my mother’s permission. Besides, you’re growing her grandchild. You could run around New York naked, and she’d love you.”
I snort, slapping a hand over my mouth.
“I’ve got nothing to wear.”
My hips and stomach have slightly expanded now that I’m sixteen weeks along.
“Ah, that’s where you’re wrong.”
I furrow my brow.
“Come with me,” he says.
He leads me by the hand into one of the spare rooms, throwing open the closet doors.
Inside is a dress, one I’ve never seen before. It’s made from the fabric we sampled in Italy.
“Alex, oh my goodness, it’s stunning.”
I turn to look at him, noticing the colour rising over his cheekbones.
“I’m glad. I designed it with you in mind.”
“What?” I step forward, my hand reaching for the beautiful floor-length evening gown. “You designed this? When?”
“All that free time you added to my calendar. It’s not all been about work. You gave me back the time for my first love. Designing.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Try it on. Elise had your measurements from your fittings and allowed for a little extra room for the baby. She’s also willing to pop around and make any alterations if you need them.”
“I can’t believe you designed this for me,” I say, turning and wrapping my arms around his neck.
His hands grip my waist. “Let’s just say you inspire me in more ways than one.”
I plant a kiss on his lips before pulling back.
“Are you going to try it on?”
“Absolutely.”
I spin away and strip out of my loungewear.
Alex is holding the dress ready. I shimmy it down my body, allowing him to fasten the hidden zipper. It fits like a glove, hugging me in all the right places, and flowing elegantly where it needs to.
“Alex, this is stunning.”
“You’re stunning,” he says, pulling me back against him. “So, you’ll come?”
“I’ll come,” I say, unable to turn down this wonderful man.
* * *
Of all the hotels in all of New York, the event has to be held at the Frazer Hotel, which Kat found highly amusing when I told her. All the staff have been told to ignore me if they see me.
I should feel relieved and secure, but instead I’m finding it hard to meet anyone’s eyes.
The fragrance is like coming home, the Frazer signature scent, introduced into the chain by our mother thirty-plus years ago, or perhaps it was first used in her parents’ hotel chain.
I’ll have to remember to ask her. The men and women who work here are like family to me.
I’ve visited New York with Kat on multiple occasions over the years.
“Mr Bianchi, your suite is ready,” the concierge says.
“Thank you, An…” I say, stopping myself before I add the rest of her name.
Annie has worked for The Frazer Group for over ten years. She is the go-to person for Kat and me whenever we’re in town.
Annie gives me a sly smile, making Alex chuckle. He wraps an arm around my shoulders.
It’s not much better with the bellboy.
We enter the suite Alex has organised for us, deciding it was safer not to use my family’s suite.
It’s beautiful. I must remember to tell Kat.
She loves feedback on the hotels and guest experiences.
It’s what makes her so good at what she does.
That and the fact she puts up with zero shit from anyone.
“Well, we have four hours. What would you like to do?”
I tap my chin as if contemplating his question before spinning and wrapping my arms around his neck.
“I’m sure we can find something to do,” I say, my mouth capturing his.
* * *
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” he asks for the umpteenth time. “I know how you feel about us being seen in public.”
“Of course I’ll be okay. I’m perfectly capable of taking an elevator to the fifth floor, I promise.” I chuckle.
“If you’d prefer, I can come back up and collect you from the room. Just message me,” he says, his brows furrowing.
“Go,” I say, laughing. “Your mother will be waiting, not to mention Enzo. I’ll be fine, I promise.”
He rolls his eyes. I know he is unsure why Enzo couldn’t accompany their mother on his own. But then that might have a little something to do with me.
“If you change your mind…” he says.
“I won’t, I promise.” I turn in my seat, laughing. “Callie is going to call me when she and David arrive. I’ll wait until they get here and head down then. I won’t be alone.”
“Well, if for some reason—”
I get up from the dressing table and make my way across the room.
“Stop worrying, I’m a big girl. This isn’t my first rodeo. I’ve got this. Now go.”
He drops a kiss on my lips before stepping away.
“Oh, Mr Bianchi,” I say, making him turn to face me. “You look incredibly hot in your suit.”
He growls. “Not helping,” he says with a harrumph. “I need to go, but after the past couple of hours, I would happily blow off this charity event and hole up here in our hotel room.”
I grin and wave him away.
“See you downstairs.”
He snatches another quick kiss before exiting the room.
Five, four, three, two, one… knock.
I throw open the door.
“I thought he was never going to leave,” Callie says, throwing her arms around me. “How are you feeling?”
“Sick to my stomach, and this time it’s not Button causing it.”
“Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Yes. He’s told the board. It’s now time for me to tell the world he’s mine and I’m his.”
“God, I love that,” she says, her eyes glistening. “Damn it, Harper, you’re going to ruin my makeup. Alex deserves so much happiness, and you’ve given him that. In all the time I’ve known him, he’s never looked so alive as he does with you.”
“It goes both ways.”
She grins. “Let’s do this. Enzo will stall Alex if necessary, but hopefully it won’t come to that.”