27. Gabby
27
Gabby
A small orchestra plays a classical number as we make our way through a huge crowd. The lights, sounds, and people send me into sensory overload. It’s an unusual feeling for me, but I guess I’m on high alert. During the limo drive to the party, I learned even more about the Jones family, the high expectations they have, and how critical they are of their children’s partners. As a girl who grew up in a low-income household and later became an orphan, I know I’m already starting out with several strikes against me.
“I hate this kind of music.” Alex leans down and whispers in my ear. “It makes me feel like I’m trapped in an elevator.” He tugs on his bow tie. He looks devastatingly handsome and totally uncomfortable at the same time.
I nod in agreement as I take in my surroundings. Guests in designer suits and gowns make small talk as waiters carrying a variety of hors d’oeuvres and champagne weave their way through the crowd. Though I feel like a fish out of water, I’m relieved Lilli took me dress shopping. At least I blend in with the rest of these stuffy people.
“Alex,” a nasally voice calls from behind us. We spin around to the sight of a short man with jet-black hair, brown eyes, and glasses too big for his face. Without the eyewear, he could almost pass for the female version of Elena.
“Luis.” Alex pastes on a smile as I wrack my brain, trying to remember details about each sibling.
“I didn’t know you were coming.” Luis pushes up his glasses.
“It’s Mom and Dad’s anniversary. Why wouldn’t I be here?” Alex frowns.
“You don’t show up to everything.”
“I might not show up to every party or fundraiser, but I do when it counts.” Alex’s voice takes a bitter tone.
“Hmm, yeah, I guess.” Luis turns to me. “Who are you?”
“I’m Gabby. I’m here with Alex.” I lean into my date and place my hand affectionally over his chest.
“What’s your favorite insect?” Luis’s eyes narrow on me like my answer will determine if he approves of me or not.
“Oh! Umm. I don’t think anyone has ever asked me that before. I guess ladybugs are nice.” My voice lifts at the end, making it sound more like a question than a statement.
“There are over 5,000 different species of ladybugs around the world and around 150 types in the United States alone. Could you be more specific?”
“Uh…the red ones with the black dots?” My hand on Alex’s chest begins to vibrate and I know he’s silently laughing.
“But that’s—” Luis tilts his head to the side, completely baffled.
“Hey! Look! I see Victoria and Seamus. We better go say hi.” Alex cuts off his brother as he simultaneously puts both of his hands on my shoulders and leads me farther into the crowd. “The red ones with the black dots?” he says into my ear.
“I may have panicked a bit.” I look up at him.
“A bit?” Alex lets out a deep chuckle. “That was adorable.”
“He was…” My voice trails off as I try to come up with a word to describe his brother.
“Different?” Alex offers.
“Sure, we can go with that.”
“Luis is okay. He’s a bit eccentric and certainly doesn’t pick up on social cues, but next to Lilli, he’s the easiest and least judgmental of the siblings.”
“So I should consider that little meeting a warm-up?” I ask as we get closer to a dark-haired woman in an emerald-green form-fitting gown. Standing next to her is a tall, redheaded man who appears to be glued to his phone.
“We’re walking on thin ice from here on out. Just a reminder, Victoria and Seamus are the ones who work at the news station,” Alex murmurs out of the corner of his mouth as we approach the couple.
“Got it,” I whisper, grateful for the information.
“If you’re coming over here on Luis’s behalf, I don’t want to hear it.” Victoria puts her hands up in surrender as we approach. Seamus, her husband, doesn’t even bother to look up from his phone.
“Nice to see you too, sis,” Alex deadpans. “I wanted to introduce you to my date, Gabby.”
“Hi.” I give a tiny wave, not sure what to think of this odd interaction.
“Oh. Sorry about that.” Victoria shakes her head. “Luis has been hounding me to let him do a reoccurring segment on the importance of sending representatives from every insect species to Mars in the event that humans colonize the planet.”
“What?” Alex and I say in unison .
“He insists it will increase our ratings.” Victoria rolls her eyes, then scans me from head to toe. “What was your name again?”
“I’m Gabby.” I try to offer my warmest smile.
“I’ve never seen you before.” She studies me.
“Oh! This is my first time here.” I fumble with a stray piece of my hair. “I live in Starboard Beach, like Alex. Actually, that’s how we met. We’re—”
“Don’t tell me Luis is on that bug segment thing again,” a woman with light brunette hair in an updo and hazel eyes interrupts.
“He’s called me every day this week." The woman sighs exasperatedly. “I showed him the projected stats. The number of viewers interested in that niche just aren’t there. The station is not going to take a gamble on something like that. I’ll go talk to him.” She turns to leave.
“Wait!” Alex calls out. “Isabella, you didn’t meet Gabby.”
“Oh.” Alex’s sister looks at her brother as if she’s just realizing he’s been standing next to her. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
“Of course I’d be here,” Alex groans. “Why is it so surprising that I showed up for our parents’ anniversary?”
“Your attendance rate at these events continues to decrease,” Isabella states matter-of-factly. “You attend approximately four percent of family gatherings, so the probability of you showing up today was slim.”
“Ah, you must be the math genius.” I snap my fingers as I continue to sort out who’s who.
“Who are you?” Isabella tilts her head to the side.
“I’m Gab—”
“Gabriella Ramirez of Starboard Beach. She’s a registered nurse and our baby brother’s date.” A man with a predatory look pushes past the two sisters. He grabs my hand and kisses the back of it before I can pull it out of his clutches.
“Cool it, Angel.” Alex steps in front of me and stares down his brother. I rub the back of my hand on my dress. I feel like I’m back in kindergarten and he just gave me cooties.
“Relax, baby brother. I was just coming over to introduce myself to your friend here,” Angel’s voice taunts. “Lilli caught me as soon as Camilla and I walked in and read us the riot act.” He holds his hand up like a Boy Scout oath. “I promise to be on my best behavior. After all, this night is for Mom and Dad. Unlike someone else we know, I don’t want to disappoint them.”
The vibe this guy gives off sends a shiver right down my spine. It’s easy to see why Alex isn’t a fan of his brother. I’m happy Lilli was looking out for me…wherever she went. Unfortunately, as soon as we entered the building, someone pulled her away and I haven’t seen her since. She warned me that would probably happen. Still, it would be comforting to see her kind and familiar face right now.
Wanting a sense of security, I take a step closer to Alex. As if on instinct, he places his arm around my waist.
“So you live in the same town as my brother?” Victoria asks.
“Yes.” I perk up a bit. I’m glad for the shift off Angel. “We live next door to each other.”
“Isn’t that charming?” Angel supplies a snarky retort. “Looks like our brother didn’t have to look too far to find a date.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” The grip Alex has around my waist tightens.
Before Angel can respond, another member of the Jones family enters the ring.
“Alex!” A man with similar features to Luis’s comes up alongside Victoria. It’s then I realize Isabella is nowhere to be found. With the size of this crowd, I didn’t even see her walk away.
“What do you want, Roberto?” It’s still early into the event, yet Alex sounds exhausted from his family already and I can see why.
“Mom and Dad want to see you in the family suite.” Roberto points to a hallway on the left.
“I know where it is.” Alex’s hand glides from my waist to the small of my back. “What do they want?”
“I don’t know,” Roberto scoffs. “They just told me to find you and bring you back.”
“I think they mentioned discussing speeches or something like that,” Angel replies, but a gut feeling tells me he’s not being truthful. “I already signed up for the first slot.”
“I’m sure you did.” Alex starts to lead me in the direction of the hallway. “Come on.”
“Uh…” Roberto stops us. “Mom and Dad specifically asked for Alex only.” His eyes shift to me. “You’ll have to stay back.”
“No!” Alex goes rigid. “I don’t know what’s going on, but Gabby is my date and she’s coming with me.”
“I-it’s okay,” I stammer. “Besides the quick meeting last night, you haven’t seen your mom and dad in a while. I can understand why they want to spend some time with you alone.” Plus, Alex’s response was louder than intended and we’ve drawn a crowd of onlookers. The last thing we need is to bring any negative attention our way.
Alex dips down and whispers in my ear, “I feel like I’m feeding you to the wolves if I leave you by yourself.” He looks up and scans the room around us. “I’d feel much better if Lilli were around.”
“Then I’ll walk around and try to find her,” I reassure him. “You should probably go. Your brother is looking impatient. ”
Alex gives one last desperate scan around the room before conceding. “Okay.” He swallows. “Text me if something happens and I’ll be back as soon as I can—and you!” He points over my shoulder to Angel. “Stay away from her.”
“No worries, little brother. I’m running for city commissioner and I just spotted the mayor. So if you’ll excuse me.” He glides past us and adds, “I need to go shake some hands and rub some elbows.”
“Hope the mayor washes his hands and elbows after that meeting,” I say under my breath, earning a swoon-worthy grin from my date.
“I’ll be as fast as I can.” He looks over my shoulder once more. “I don’t know where Victoria went, but that’s probably for the best anyway. Just concentrate on finding Lilli and hang out with her until I get back.”
“You got it.” I give him a wink with a confidence I don’t feel.
“Alex,” Roberto whines.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming.”