Chapter 14 #2
“A lot.” Lexi blinks up at me before turning her attention back to him. “But I think you should tell me what that Mustang represents. You kinda owe me for tricking me.”
His head falls back with laughter. “No can do. Bros before hos.”
I expect Lexi to be offended, but she joins in on the joke. “I’ll find out why you chose that car, Weston. That’s a promise.”
My brother’s eyes flick toward me, and Lexi’s ruby-red lips tilt into a smile.
He gives her a playful purr. “Feisty little firecracker. You two are more than perfect together. I almost didn’t believe it, but seeing you two like this is … wow. Explosive. I want a special thank-you for playing matchmaker.”
“Okay, okay,” I tell him, trying to reel him back. “You’re going overboard.”
He pats me on my back and leans in until only I can hear him. “She’s the one. Bet me.”
I meet his eyes, even more confused. “ What ?”
Someone bumps into Weston and he almost spills his champagne.
“Billie!” he yells.
“Billie?” I turn around, wrapping my arms around her. She turned thirty last month and launched a clothing line, so she’s been occupied. Being a part of the family business was the last thing she wanted in life, so she created her own. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I didn’t either. Decided to fly at the last minute to support Heather and Samuel.”
“I’m so glad to see you. I want to introduce you to someone. This is Alexis, but she prefers to be called Lexi.”
Billie holds out her hand, and a diamond bangle hangs from her wrist. “Hello. I’m Billie Calloway.”
Lexi immediately relaxes. Weston notices, too, but I try to ignore him.
“Jesus.” She places her hand over her heart. “I thought you were royalty. ”
Lexi glances in my direction, but I’m already locked on her. She’s mesmerizing.
She continues, “ These are your brothers? I’m so sorry. How did you manage it, growing up?”
Billie bursts into laughter. “Okay, I like her a lot.”
I nod.
“Well, Alexis, Lexi, I hope you stick around. What day are we on?” Billie asks, looking between me and Weston.
My sister knows about my cycle, so it’s become a joke between the three of us.
“Nine days, apparently,” Lexi says.
Billie’s eyes widen as a cocky smile meets my lips.
“You told her about your commitment issues ?” Her voice lowers.
“I did,” I say, looking between Billie and Weston.
They’re giving me the same expression.
“Those are Fight Club rules. You don’t share that with anyone,” Billie whispers.
“Lexi isn’t just anyone ,” I say, wrapping my arm around this beautiful woman.
She grins up at me like I could be her world. She’s so good at this, almost too good.
“Well, tonight has been interesting,” Billie says to Weston, and they turn their attention to me.
“Please stop doing whatever it is you’re doing right now,” I say, noticing how they’re each grinning like the Cheshire cat.
Lexi chuckles as a few colleagues interrupt us.
“We’ll see you around,” I say to everyone, and I take Lexi’s hand.
I don’t want to get wrapped up in a business conversation, not tonight. We pass one of my old friends, Chase, on the way to see Heather and Samuel. Our parents were friends and attended the same social events growing up.
“Easton! I didn’t think you were coming,” he says, then notices Alexis.
“Yeah, I got tied up,” I say.
He lifts a brow.
“I’m Lexi. Sorry, Easton must’ve forgotten his manners at home.” Her Southern drawl is charming.
“Nice to meet you, Lexi. Are you two …”
“ Dating. I’m trying to figure out if I want to give him a chance.” Her soft gaze meets mine, but I know she’s telling the truth.
“Oh, so you’ve finally met your match,” Chase says to me.
“What can I say? I’ve been unable to get her off my mind since we bumped into each other,” I say. Another truth spilled, even though she already knew that one.
“We’re on day eight,” Lexi happily shares.
Shock spreads over his face. He gives me the same expression that Billie had.
I find it amusing, and so does Lexi. It’s a punch line to a joke.
“She knows. It’s all out in the open,” I say.
“All of it?” Chase asks. “Even …”
“The princess?” Lexi finishes. “Yes. But I think Easton’s currently searching for his queen. Right?”
“Hot damn, this is … speechless ,” Chase says. “Do you have a sister?”
“No, just two older brothers,” Lexi tells him. “But I have friends. Lots of them.”
Before this conversation can go any further, I give him a smile and a handshake. “Okay, okay. We need to visit Sammy and Heather and give our congratulations.”
I cannot leave this party until that happens, so it needs to be next on our list. Not that I want to leave, not yet. I’m actually having a good time.
“Maybe I’ll be giving congrats to you two next,” he says, glancing between us. “Nice to meet you, Lexi. Hope to see you past fourteen.”
“Me too,” she says sweetly, perfectly .
I interlock my fingers with hers and lean in. My mouth brushes the shell of her ear. “You’re amazing.”
“You make it easy,” she admits, squeezing three times, and I grin, giving her two pulses.
“Need you’re a game,” I tell her, hoping she understands.
Sammy and I went to the same boarding school. Both of us are stone-cold when it comes to business. For years, neither of us thought we’d find our person. He did.
I greet him with a grin and a tight side hug before turning toward Heather.
“He’s been on his best behavior?” I ask her.
“Yes,” she says. “I wouldn’t be marrying him otherwise.”
“I’m happy for both of you,” I admit, glancing between them, seeing the spark they share. “I’d like to introduce you to Lexi. My girlfriend.”
When the words leave my mouth, her face softens.
“Hello. It’s so lovely to meet you both. Congratulations on the engagement. The venue is gorgeous. You two look great together.”
Samuel’s eyes meet mine, and he nods like it’s an approval.
Lexi and Heather quickly fall into a conversation about the flowers and her dress. No matter where Lexi goes, she makes everyone feel like they’re her bestie. She’s genuine, and it radiates from her like sunshine.
Samuel turns to me. “I’m trying to recall the last time you brought someone around I didn’t immediately dislike.”
“Never,” I admit. “But it’s different this time.”
“I can tell.”
As I cross my arms over my chest, I grow concerned because this is too simple. “What do you mean?”
“The way you look at her, it’s different.”
“Huh?” Now, I’m confused.
“You look at her like you found what you’d been searching a lifetime for,” he says.
My mouth slightly parts. This plan is working too well, almost like Weston told everyone and they’re in on the joke.
“You mean that?” I ask, knowing he wouldn’t lie.
“Yes,” he says. “When you know, you know. And so does everyone else.”
I search his face, and as soon as I open my mouth to say something else, Heather walks over, laughing.
“You’d better marry her,” she says, and Lexi moves next to me.
“I think I might.” I look directly at Lexi, who beams, and I love to fucking see it.
As other people walk over to chat with the happy couple, we move to the side.
“Would you like to dance?”
“Thought you’d never ask,” she says as we get lost in the crowd.
She wraps her arms around my neck and I place my hands firmly on her waist. My eyes wander around the room, and I spot different friends and colleagues chatting.
“Well?” she asks in a whisper.
“This is effortless,” I tell her, aware people are watching us.
“What do you mean?” She creates enough space so she can look up into my eyes.
“You might’ve broken my record,” I tell her. “They love you.”
Somehow, I knew they would though.
She laughs. “That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”
“Yes. But it’s suspicious .”
“Maybe they don’t want to have the drop that ho convo while I’m around? I’ll grab some champagne and mingle. Maybe they’re being polite since you’re being a helicopter boyfriend ?”
My brows furrow. “What does that mean?”
“It means you’re being overprotective, like you’re afraid I’ll run away.” She smiles. “I’m not going anywhere, I promise. I’m not your hostage … yet .”
“I like to have my eyes on you at all times,” I admit, meaning every word.
That twinkle in her eye reappears. “I’ve noticed.”
The song ends and she gives me a devilish grin.
“I’ll get some champagne and slowly make my way around the room. Twenty minutes, then we’ll report back,” she says, and I glance down at my watch, giving her a nod.
Lexi turns and struts across the room like a fucking queen. Her chin doesn’t drop once, and the invisible crown stays put. I shove my hands in my pockets, utterly mesmerized as she works the room like it’s her stage. She steals a glance at me over her shoulder and licks her lips. Flirty as fuck.
I shake my head and she barely hides the smile before bringing her focus back forward. Lexi is the main character. All eyes are on her, especially mine.
It takes all my strength to pull my attention away, and as soon as Weston ends his conversation with someone, I join him.
Across the room, I spot Lexi chatting with our sister. They’re laughing about something and it warms my heart. Billie has never once clicked with any woman I introduced to her.
Another first.
My brother clears his throat, keeping his voice low. “I know that look.”
“Not sure what you’re talking about.”
He chuckles at me, taking a sip of his champagne. “This will be the greatest show of the fucking century. I’m ready for this season, little brother.”
My jaw clenches. “Did you tell anyone?”
I don’t have to finish. He knows what I’m referring to.
“No. Absolutely not.” He gives me his firm tone, the one we use when we’re not fucking around.
He’s a vault . But then that means …
“Stop overanalyzing shit and have fun. You still have five days. Make it count.” He pats me on the shoulder.
Billie and Lexi look like they’re friends, and maybe they will be.
“I can’t believe you told her about the car and your issue .”
“I have nothing to worry about. In thirteen months, everything will go back to normal.”
“You sure about that?” he asks.