Dax
Chapter Four
Shit.
I was so keen to impress Mr. Huckle that my plan has a flaw. I’m just not sure if it’s a fatal one yet.
I didn’t consider that there would be people at this party who know me. Who know Alexis. And who will be surprised and delighted that we’re suddenly an item.
And engaged.
Even if we pull this off, the whole town is going to be talking about it. I can’t think ahead, I just need to get this partnership in the bag.
My boss Leo comes over when I arrive. “Hey there Dax, looking sharp in that suit! I don’t think I’ve seen you in one since that client meeting last year.” He’s right, I’m usually project managing a bunch of unruly construction workers and wearing paint-splattered jeans, a T-shirt and work boots.
“Thanks, I didn’t recognize you either.” I tip a head at his tailored outfit. His wife Ella comes over, hands cradling her bump.
“Hey Dax. I’m in on the secret plan. Has your fake fiancée arrived yet?” She winks at me.
“Not yet.” I look around. I can’t remember what I’m meant to do when Alexis arrives. We don’t usually greet each other apart from a hug at the end of the night.
Ella gestures to the buffet table. “Mr. Huckle is over there. He has a special high protein diet so Alex’s sister has made some chicken for him.
” Taylor is having an in-depth conversation with Mr. Huckle, who is munching away at the chicken.
I just hope she’s in on the whole plan and doesn’t give something away.
Mr. Huckle is distinguished-looking in a sharply cut suit and polished shoes, with a full head of grey and white hair which he wears quite long and slicked back from his face.
Although he must be in his seventies, his eyes are a very bright and unusual yellowy-green shade which makes him appear much younger.
He’s also clearly sharp as a tack, which will make this whole plan way more difficult.
Ty Caputo is sidling up to speak to Mr. Huckle.
Damn. He’s my biggest competition in the partnership stakes after he inherited his great uncle’s construction company.
I don’t think he knows the difference between an architect and an interior decorator, but he has enough confidence to pull something like this off.
I’m irritated he’s going to beat me to it.
The band stops playing for a moment and I watch as Ty pauses on his way to speak to Mr. Huckle, distracted by a woman making her way across the wooden floor of the lodge.
Her figure is lusciously curvy in a fitted blue dress, breasts and hips swaying seductively as she walks. Her silky dark hair is curled at the ends and her pouting red lips curve upwards into a smile when she catches me staring at her.
I can’t believe it.
It’s Alexis. The woman I’m gawping at is my childhood friend.
I shake my head and then suddenly remember I’m her fiancé. I can’t look at her like I’m seeing her for the first time. This is the woman I’m meant to marry. I mean, that I’m meant to marry to impress Mr. Huckle as part of this fake plan.
My throat feels dry as I break away from Ella and Leo to meet Alexis halfway across the floor.
Everyone’s watching us as she stands on tip toes to press those soft red lips against mine.
Her scent is a soft wave of jasmine and as she kisses me, I just want to pull her closer so her curves press up against my body.
She pulls back. “Hey there fiancé.”
I can’t speak for a second. “Hey yourself. Alex, you look beyond beautiful.”
Her cheeks turn a rosy pink color and it’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. “You don’t look too bad yourself.” She can’t meet my eyes and we both look around the room awkwardly.
“Can I get you a drink?” I gesture over at the bar.
“Sure, I’ll come over with you.” She follows me up to the long wooden bar, which has snowflakes carved above it and bottles of every type stored along the mirrored wall.
As I’m ordering us both the special Independence Day cocktail, I take another peek at her in the mirror. It’s not that I didn’t already know she was gorgeous, it’s that I can’t remember seeing her dressed up like this before. And pretending to be my fiancée. Lucky me.
As the bartender hands me two drinks which have tiny American flags sticking out the top, Ty pushes his way through the crowd so he’s at Alexis’s other side. He drapes an arm around her shoulders.
“Alex. Wow. Are you on Tinder? You didn’t look like this at school.” He looks like a cartoon dog with his tongue hanging out.
Alex stands up straighter and shrugs his arm away from her shoulders. “I’m here with Dax.”
Ty looks disbelieving. “You guys are just friends. Anyway, why would you want to socialize with this loser?” It’s clear he still hates me. He got in huge trouble after the firework incident, then he was held back a grade, and somehow, in his head, it’s all my fault.
“Take a hike Ty.” I hand the ridiculous cocktail to Alexis. Ty sneers and bumps past me, trying to make me spill my drink. Luckily I’d anticipated that, so it just slops onto the bar.
“That guy is such a dick.” Alex’s brow crumples. “The rest of his family are so nice - why is he such a bad apple?”
“I don’t know. He is going after the same deal I am. However he doesn’t have the advantage I have.” I raise my eyebrows.
Alexis raises hers in return. “And that is…?”
“A stunningly gorgeous fiancée.” I meet her eyes and she blushes again.
“Hey Dax, you’re making me embarrassed. Maybe wait until we see if we can pull this off, hey?” She smiles at me. “I’m a little nervous. Where is this Huckle guy?”
I nod my head at the buffet. Ty’s gone straight back over to continue his charm offensive.
Mr. Huckle is listening to him speak with a serious expression on his face.
Leo walks over to us and I introduce him to Alex.
I’m not sure if it’s harder having so many people know we aren’t really together.
There’s a part of me that feels so proud she’s my date tonight.
“You guys ready?” Leo asks. I nod my head and Alex smiles. I can tell she’s apprehensive but hopefully that will just come across as shyness or something.
As Mr. Huckle politely excuses himself from Ty and walks up to the bar, Leo reaches his arm out and says: “Magnus, I have some folks to introduce you to. This is Dax, who works in our construction management arm and his lovely fiancée Alexis.”
Mr. Huckle politely extends his hand and we shake. “Delighted to meet you.” His accent has a slight Scandinavian lilt.
“The lodge is beautiful, Mr. Huckle.” Alex beams at him.
“Thank you my dear. I love to design in Snowflake Falls. It’s such a beautiful place.
There is some aspect of the surroundings which is uniquely romantic.
In fact, it keeps drawing me back. That’s why I’d like to do more special buildings here.
” He smiles gently back. “You and your fiancé will be married here in Snowflake Falls?”
Alex nods her head. “We were thinking maybe of doing it here at Peppermint Lodge.”
“Oh I’m honored. It’s a special place for a wedding. And Dax, please tell me about your plans for the area.”
“Well Mr. Huckle, I’d like to incorporate the fantastic materials we have available here in Snowflake.
Our company uses an ecologically friendly system; we plant trees with local woodsmen and in return they help us find the finest wood to use.
I believe that the local landscape and materials can feed into the creative designs of an architect to produce outstanding results. ”
Mr. Huckle is slowly nodding his head. “I agree. The environment is a special concern of mine. I don’t want to work against it. I hate to see it destroyed for no reason.”
Leo pats my shoulder. “Dax is Snowflake Falls born and bred. And so is Alex, I believe?”
Alex smiles again. “Yes, our family has been here for over a hundred years. My great grandparents had a farm not far from where we’re standing right now. It’s a special place, Mr. Huckle.”
He smiles. “Please, my dear, call me Magnus. It’s a pleasure to talk to young people who understand continuity and tradition.
Mix that with creative thinking and it has a magical result.
” He turns to me. “Dax I’d be delighted to talk to you further about your ideas.
Perhaps Leo can set the three of us up with a meeting? ”
“I’d love to. Thank you.” I feel like punching the air. Out of the corner of my eye I can see Ty scowling at us from across the room. Well, alternately scowling and looking Alexis up and down. Now I feel like punching him in the mouth. Sleaze.
Alex puts her arm around me and gives me a squeeze. Her body is warm and soft as I circle her waist with my hand. Leo leads Mr. Huckle off to talk to Ella, who gives us another wink.
I bend down to whisper in her ear. “I think that was a spectacular success.”
“Home run, fiancé.” Her face is close to mine and I can’t resist running my fingers across her chin and dropping my lips down for another kiss. My cock hardens as she kisses me back.
She pulls away again, cheeks pink and her voice breathless as she whispers. “Wow. Dax. I never knew you were such a good kisser.”
An hour later the band are in full swing and everyone’s getting into the party spirit.
They play a slow version of American Pie as Alex and I dance closely together, gazing into each other’s eyes.
I could stay here forever. It’s like there’s only her in the room, despite all the other guests and noise.
This feels so special, maybe because it’s so unexpected.
Except it’s a surprise that feels like coming home, in a way.
I know her so well, but in another sense I don’t know her at all.
And I want to, desperately, now I appreciate how special the two of us together - like this - could be.
Out of the corner of my eye I catch Ty talking intently to Mr. Huckle again, who has a frown on his face. His gaze falls on me, pauses and then skates over the room again.
Shit. Has Ty managed to work out what our plan is? Has he said something about Alex and I just being friends?
Alex pulls away from me. “I have to visit the ladies’ room. And my feet are starting to hurt in these ridiculous shoes - can you find us somewhere to sit down when I get back?”
I scout around for a table and spot Leo waving at me. I walk over, weaving through the swaying bodies of the dancers.
“Okay Dax, give us a sit rep.” Leo exchanges glances with his wife.
“I haven’t spoken to Mr. Huckle again. Although I saw Ty Caputo deep in conversation with him, which makes me a little worried.”
“Oh. Ella and I were more interested in how well you and Alexis were getting on. Are you sure you’re just good friends?” He smiles at me.
I open my mouth to tell him Alex and I have known each other since childhood, there’s nothing there, but something stops me.
I’d always throw some kind of block in the way when I thought about how stunning she was, or how much we laughed when we were together, or how relaxed and happy I always felt in her company.
Here, at this party, it’s like my self-imposed blocks have dissolved away and all I can see is her, right there, perfectly aligned with me.
I chat to Leo and Ella, trying to steer them away from the subject of Alexis and me. Leo is encouraged by Mr. Huckle’s response and starts a discussion about what we could talk to him about at the meeting.
After ten minutes I stand up. Where is Alexis? I circle the party, looking for dark hair and a blue dress. The crowd has thinned out, so she should be easy to spot. Is she locked in the ladies’ room?
I go stand outside the door. No one comes out. Her twin, Taylor, passes me on her way inside and I ask her to check if Alexis is okay. She comes back out and says there’s no one inside.
So where is she?
I thought we were having a good time.
Have I said something wrong?
Or has she decided we’re getting too close?