Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
PIPER
The Lockwood Foundation building sits on the Upper East Side, a Beaux-Arts mansion with four stories of pale limestone, a wrought-iron fence trimmed in gold leaf, and a portico held up by columns thick enough that two of me could hide behind one and never be found.
Goose bumps spread down my arms as I gaze at the impressive architecture through the car window.
This is the kind of building that makes you check what you’re wearing.
Had I selected one of my usual dresses, I would have probably turned back.
I went shopping yesterday courtesy of Levi. I was picked up at my apartment before noon by another one of Levi’s assistants—a lady this time. I was taken to Neiman Marcus, where I was given a personal shopper and told to pick whatever I wanted.
Of course, I feel like I’ve landed in another dream.
Tonight’s dress is a sleeveless black couture from Dior, and my shoes are Louboutins. I look the part. Now I just have to get my mind together.
I’m meeting Levi here. I would have preferred to meet him before so we could arrive together, but he had a late meeting.
My driver eases the car to the curb behind a line of town cars, then he’s out and opening the door for me.
I step out. The cold night air catches the back of my neck, but I walk straight ahead, summoning my inner catwalk model.
Tonight came around fast. I thought I had more time to prepare, but time snuck up on me.
I went over Levi’s notes, which were surprisingly detailed. He gave me the schedule of events and the narrative for our story.
But I don’t think he could have prepared me for this. This… world. His world. But tonight, it’s mine, too.
The thought steadies me.
I follow the line of people gathering at the entrance and walk onto the red carpet. Doormen flank the doors on either side, wearing long charcoal coats. They hold the doors open for arriving guests.
I walk into a domed foyer with a chandelier the size of a small car and a checkerboard marble floor that’s so glossy you can see your reflection in it.
This place is amazing. And it belongs to Arthur. I’m intrigued to find out what else he owns.
The man is on par with the Vales, but he made his billions in the wine industry. Tonight’s fundraiser is a wine auction where he’ll be auctioning wine from the very vineyard Levi and I will be visiting in a few weeks.
Soft string music pulls me deeper, then flashes go off from cameras. I realize the press are here.
My nerves tingle, but I keep my head up as I look around for Levi.
A woman in a black sheath dress steps forward with a tablet. “Miss Andrews.” She smiles at me.
“Hi,” I answer, impressed once more that I’ve never had to wait around for anything. All of Levi’s staff and acquaintances have literally been at my beck and call. All I’ve had to do so far is show up.
“Mr. Vale is expecting you. This way, please.”
I follow her in.
She guides me into a grand hall that steals my breath away.
I can’t help it. I look around, awestruck.
The ceiling lifts impossibly high, coffered and painted in faded fresco. Tall arched windows line one wall, framed in heavy ivory drapes Aunt Bess would kill for, and between every window a marble column climbs all the way up to meet the ceiling.
The floor is dark parquet laid in a herringbone pattern that runs the length of the room toward an arched wall that leads out to a balcony.
I try not to stare too much at the women in their beautiful couture and the men in tuxedos, but everyone looks so polished it’s hard not to.
Ahead, I spot Levi and every cell in my body instantly becomes aware of him.
He’s near the foot of the staircase dressed in a black tailored tuxedo that makes him look like he should always be in a room like this. The sight of him knocks the breath clean out of me.
God, the man wears luxury the way other men wear T-shirts. How does he make everything look so effortless?
The moment he notices me, he looks at me like I’m the only thing worth watching in this room. The effect of his stare is so potent it sets me on fire, stirring all those places inside me he unlocked last week.
I’ve never been so receptive with anyone, least of all my fake boyfriend.
I compose my mind, thinking of the room again. It’s safer.
Next to Levi stands Arthur, with a very beautiful older woman who looks like a pageant queen in her long silver gown. I guess her to be Ellie Mae, Arthur’s wife. They’re standing apart, but she suits the description he gave back at the restaurant.
They see me when I get closer. I wave, my nerves spiking now.
The woman who ushered me leaves, and I cross the rest of the way, right into Levi’s awaiting arms.
“There you are,” Levi says, leaning in to kiss the top of my head. It doesn’t count as a real kiss, but I still feel it.
“Hi.”
He turns me to Arthur and Ellie Mae.
“Arthur, you remember my better half, as you called her.” Levi smiles.
“Of course.” Arthur steps forward and takes both my hands into his. “My dear, it is absolutely fantastic to see you again. And this time, I get to introduce you to my Ellie Mae.”
Ellie Mae moves closer in the same manner as Arthur. When he releases my hands, she takes them and gives me a dazzling smile.
“It’s wonderful to meet you,” she says in a sweet Dolly Parton drawl.
“And you, too.”
“Levi has told me so much about you. We definitely have to talk. I hear you’re starting up a marketing consultancy.”
I glance at Levi and smile. “Yes. I’m just getting off the ground.”
“Oh, wow, you must tell me everything. Levi has spoken so highly of you.”
“That’s nice. Thank you.” I look back at him again, and he gives me that boyish grin.
“There are so many amazing things to tell.” He nods.
“You are such a love.” Ellie Mae taps his shoulder, then turns back to me. “Well, I just started a new business and am in need of a marketing person. When you’re good and ready, I’ll be waiting.”
My entire body stills. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. She—Ellie Mae Lockwood—wants to hire me. And I don’t even have my website up yet?
Good Lord. I can’t breathe, and I’m having a hard time stopping myself from screaming with joy.
“Oh my gosh. Thank you so much.” It’s a wonder how I can speak.
“You are so welcome, sugar. I look forward to working with you. We’ll plan to talk when you’re ready.”
“Absolutely.”
Did I seriously just land my first client?
Things are working out even better than I thought. I look up at Levi and mouth a thank you. He winks back at me.
That cocky wink does crazy things to my nervous system.
“Come along now. We can finish talking at the table,” Arthur says, waving us forward. “Dinner will be served in a few minutes.”
We head into a dining room, where we’re greeted by a string quartet and a long table with a delicious-looking spread of food.
White peonies in center pieces decorate the table, and three enormous chandeliers hang in a line down the middle of the ceiling.
Crystal glasses sparkle beneath the lighting, and everything feels magnificent down to the smallest detail. Again, I’m in awe.
Levi and I sit together near Arthur and Ellie Mae, who sit at the head of the table.
Levi leans in and whispers in my ear, “You okay?” His voice brushes against my skin as much as his breath does.
“Yes.” I turn to face him, and my cheek brushes against him. I imagine that the accidental closeness makes us look exactly as we’re supposed to appear. My thoughts are confirmed when I catch Arthur watching us out the corner of my eye.
More food is brought out by uniformed waiters, and soon, everyone is eating and talking.
There are about twenty people around the table.
Arthur starts with a discussion about the wine for the auction that engages everyone, then little groups of conversations break off.
Since we’re so close to Arthur and Ellie Mae, they continue talking to us.
So far, everything Levi preempted has come up.
How we met.
How long we’ve been together.
What our plans are for the rest of the year, and other couple-y questions.
The narrative we produced was a mixture of half-truths.
We still met at the club, except in this version, it was a little over a year ago. We celebrated our anniversary a few weeks ago, and we’re planning to go to Antigua in the fall.
I work my ass off, becoming the perfect actress, but in truth, Levi and I both sound so believable I almost fall for it. Our story certainly sounds nice, like it could be real.
“Well, now,” Arthur says, settling back in his chair. His eyes move between us, assessing. “You’ve told us how you met. What I’d like to know is what made you stay.”
The question almost sounds rude, but it’s not. Arthur looks like he genuinely wants to know.
Ellie Mae smiles sweetly next to him, her gaze curious. “Yes, darling,” she joins in, “first meetings are easy. It’s what comes after that tells you something.”
I feel Levi’s hand brush mine beneath the table.
“We just… clicked,” I say, keeping my voice steady.
Arthur hums. “Clicked, huh? And what do you say, Levi?”
“I don’t waste my time on anything that doesn’t hold my attention.” Levi gives him a smug smile.
Ellie Mae leans forward slightly. “And what is it about Piper that does?”
The question settles between us, heavier than it should be.
These are questions you can’t prepare for. They’re the natural kind with answers that come from knowing each other.
Levi turns his head toward me, his expression softening just enough to look real. Except suddenly I’m not entirely convinced he’s pretending. “She’s not impressed by any of it. My wealth,” he says, studying my face. “She sees me, not what comes with me.”
That’s… true. When I look at him, I don’t think about his net worth. That would probably scare me away. I just see him. A man who somehow makes me feel both nervous and safe at the exact same time.
Ellie Mae’s smile deepens. “That’s a dangerous kind of woman to fall for.”