Chapter 7
I put the final touches on my makeup and adjusted the tiara of small white flowers on my head.
I sprayed a little more setting spray just in case.
My hair was partially loose, with a slightly bouffant effect at the top.
I admired the final result in my bedroom mirror, smiling as I slid my hand over the soft fabric of the dress and then stroked my belly.
I picked up the wrapped gift from the dresser and went down to the ground floor.
Today Pietra turned nineteen.
J and I had been busy all week with the preparations.
We chose a luau on the private beach we had access to, where the younger guests could drink and dance as much as they wanted, and a more zen atmosphere outside the mansion for anyone who wanted a calmer vibe.
Torches, little lights, colorful cushions, and floral arrangements made up the décor, as well as two tents on the beach—one larger one housing the dance floor and the other for the buffet.
Waiters moved between the two spaces. Guests were still arriving, but there were already quite a lot of people.
The night was warm beneath a clear, starry sky.
Everything impeccable!
As I moved toward the beach, the breeze wrapped around my hair and the vibrant music pulled me in. It had been a long time since I’d gone to a party. I liked this, the pulsing music, the intense flow of people, the conversations and laughter, the excitement.
“First party with Mommy. Isn’t that nice?” I murmured to my little cub, laughing when he kicked. I truly, madly loved the connection I had with my baby.
I stopped near the buffet tent, not wanting to wander around and tire myself out easily.
A waiter passed beside me, and I picked up a glass of nonalcoholic cocktail.
I sipped distractedly, scanning the area.
I found Adam and Eric beside the bar set up at the back of the dance floor, but no sign of Thor.
Since our last conversation, two days earlier, we hadn’t seen each other again.
On one hand, I was even happy and relieved.
Without him in the mansion, I felt more comfortable and relaxed.
But on the other hand, I also missed him and was curious to know the result of our conversation.
One minute I hoped he believed me and finally saw that there wasn’t a single saintly hair on Norah’s head. But there was a strong possibility she had managed to bend him. That is, if Heithor had even taken me seriously.
The way my lucky streak was going, it was better not to get too excited.
“Babe!” Pietra cried, appearing out of nowhere in front of me and hugging me. “Grazie mille! The party is amazing! I loved every single thing, even the sand.”
I freed myself from her to slide into a hug with Josie.
“Good. J did half the work.”
“And I know it, don’t I? I’ve kissed her enough to make Nathan jealous.”
“Where were you?”
P smiled guiltily. J huffed.
“She didn’t settle down until we went to open the presents.”
“Of course you couldn’t wait like any normal person.”
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
I left my glass on the table and picked up the wrapped gift.
“Happy birthday! It’s from both of us.”
Pietra tore the paper and screamed. “Oh my God! Cartier?”
Josie and I had ordered it. The chain was yellow gold, with delicate engravings that gave it an aged look. The locket had details in little emerald stones and held two photos.
“There’s a surprise inside,” I told her. She opened the locket, her eyes filling with tears. “Your two families, by blood and by heart.”
“It’s beautiful, girls,” Pietra said, emotional, still staring at the jewel. “I had never seen this picture before. Where did you get it?”
J answered. “We asked Auntie if she had things of yours from when you were a child. We wanted to do something original. That photo was in one of the boxes, so we had the idea of bringing your two families together symbolically in one gift.”
The photograph she meant was a priceless rarity, where Pietra was with her biological parents, Heithor, and Martha on a sunny day in the park.
The other was of Martha, J, and me.
Pietra lifted her wet gaze. “I don’t even know what to say. Just… Thank you so much, girls. This means a lot to me.”
We went through a round of hugs and sniffles.
“Want to put it on, or…?”
“Please,” she interrupted, turning around.
I did the honors. She turned back, holding the locket, and my eyes envied the wet shine in hers. I breathed deeply, blinking the burn away.
“We wanted to give you something you could keep forever. Something that would make you remember how special and loved you are. And that, if someday we’re far from each other, you can feel us with you. Always.”
“Damn it! I can’t fall apart now.” Pietra flapped her hands, laughing nervously and somehow clearing the emotional tension. “It isn’t even midnight yet, for God’s sake!”
We laughed and gave ourselves over to another round of hugs and kisses.
“Ooooooookay. Enough with the mush for today,” J decreed.
We toasted with champagne. I took a small sip and abandoned the glass. P offered her arms, and J and I accepted. Then we started walking.
“Remember John?” Pietra asked.
“John? The John?”
If we were talking about the same John, I would never forget him even if I wanted to. He was part of those exclusive, unforgettable first-time memories. John had broken my V-card in a glorious way.
“Yes, John.”
“Wasn’t he in Japan?”
“He came back three months ago and is living in Valencia. I ran into him by chance this week while shopping and invited him to the party. I heard he’s still single. And if you ask me, he’s still drop-dead gorgeous. If I weren’t madly in love with Nathan, I’d place a bet there.”
“Eric forgive me, if I didn’t love him, I’d be tempted too.”
I braked and turned to face Pietra.
“What are you saying?”
She shrugged.
“Only that he’s still the same nice guy from before.”
“You must think I’m a fool, huh?”
Pietra grabbed my arm, and we started walking again. “Actually, I think you’re beautiful, you look hot as hell, and you deserve to have some real fun.”
“I am having fun,” I countered.
“Now who’s playing dumb, huh?”
And just like that, understanding caught me.
“Don’t you dare! Don’t even think about it!”
“Ah! Look, there he is… Hey, John!”
She dragged me closer to him before I could react against it.
The man himself turned, his gaze sliding from Pietra to me, going to my belly and then returning to my face.
I forced a polite smile, freezing it on my lips.
I tensed. He, however, didn’t seem surprised.
In fact, he smiled. The same charming smile as before.
His posture completely carefree. He still had the charming dimples and eyes as blue as I remembered.
Within a minute, P made some excuse and left with J.
To my relief, John wasn’t interested in my frenemy’s craziness either.
Once that discomfort was gone, I was able to enjoy his company.
He was different from the John I had known.
I mean, he was the same in appearance and in his flirtatious behavior, but something had definitely changed in him.
Maybe it was his love for his fiancée. That’s right!
He was engaged and sooooooo in love. As soon as John said goodbye to go pick up his fiancée at LAX, Pietra and Josie got in my face.
I breathed deeply, taming my temper.
I lifted my gaze, and that was when I saw Heithor surrounded by the guys.
I kind of froze at the sight, my heart racing, my gaze far too enchanted with what I saw as I drank in every inch of him up to his face.
Thor wore linen pants and a light-blue shirt, with the sleeves rolled to his elbows.
His hair was combed back, as usual. He looked good enough to make me fall in love with him if I weren’t already. He still had the beard.
Thor turned his head, and his gaze sought mine, as if obeying my call. The back of my neck prickled. I didn’t look away, didn’t even try. I only held the connection, caught in his intensity while we looked at each other.
Suddenly, I had this growing desire to walk over to him, slide my hands into his, twine our fingers together, and rise onto my toes…
Someone cleared their throat.
I lowered my gaze, embarrassed, then lifted it to the guests without really seeing them. I didn’t look at the girls to know they were staring at me.
“Go talk to him,” J suggested.
“What?”
“Heithor. Go talk to him.”
“No.”
“He won’t bite you… unless you ask him to… Come on, Ella. Don’t tell me you’re scared. You of all people?”
“I’m not scared. We just have nothing to talk about.”
“Better to take J’s advice than stand there like two perverts eating each other with your eyes,” Pietra said, irritable.
“I’m not eating anyone!”
From her look, I knew Pietra didn’t believe me for a second, but she didn’t say anything else about it. Not that I cared. However, she didn’t give up trying to be my Cupid, introducing me to as many single men as possible.
I wanted to kill her for the second time that night!
After the happy birthday and speeches, I was ready to withdraw.
I walked along the side of the dance floor, avoiding people, when the DJ announced he would play a few slow hits, drawing couples onto the floor.
A firm hand wrapped around my elbow before I got very far.
I turned and pulled my arm back at the same time, feeling the unfamiliar palm slide along my arm in the process.
My breath caught in my lungs when I found Thor’s face watching me.
Illegible, intense. His jet-black gaze fixed on me.
My gaze ignored my commands, moving lower to catch a delicious slice of golden skin and the hint of sparse hair the first two open buttons of his shirt revealed.
Muscles built like rock. Brutal and powerful.
Thor was hot. I looked back into his eyes.
“Dance with me?”
“I-I… I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why? Am I that bad? Or will your old friend not like it?”
I wrinkled my brow. “Old friend?”