Chapter 15
THANE
I’ve never shied away from hard work.
Moving furniture? Call me. Moving your whole house? I’m your guy.
Keeping my hands off Audra during the ceremony, though, is the hardest labor I’ve ever done.
My arm is latched around her constantly, except when we’re applauding – especially when Robert steps up to receive his award.
I looked up what he did to receive the award. It seems he financed the right people at the right time, and they were so grateful that they put him down as a collaborator. That’s fine. I invest in plenty of things I don't understand too. Doesn't make me an innovator, though.
Not like my crazy cousins, who have managed to turn freaking bird calls into a company valued at over a billion dollars. Now that is truly wild.
We make it through the ceremony, then congratulate Audra's father quickly one last time before he's descended upon by a half dozen men vying for his attention.
Marlena turns to me as we make a move to leave. "How long are you staying in New York?" she asks.
I turn to Audra. "We haven’t thought that far ahead. We could go home tomorrow afternoon, or we can stay in the city a few days. It's completely up to her.”
Audra looks up at me in surprise. "Really?"
"Of course, angel. Your call. Kai's assistant can book the jet back whenever we want."
Marlena's eyes gleam. "You came here by private jet?"
Somehow, I manage to keep my grin under control as I nod nonchalantly. "Well… We were in a hurry. I didn't want Audra to miss this."
"Yes, I'm glad I was here." She squeezes my hand. "Thank you.”
Marlena's hand rests on my arm for a few seconds. "I'm glad my daughter has found someone who understands priorities. Family is what's important."
"I like that Thane appreciates how important my soundscapes are to me," Audra adds. "He’s been extremely helpful with them."
Marlena shakes her head. "I’ve always assumed that's just a phase you're going through. Of course, now that you've found a quality man—"
I cut her off before she can say another word. “Audra will continue to do her work, or whatever else she likes. She's the one in charge of her life. I'm just grateful to be invited along for the ride."
Marlena blinks in surprise, looking back and forth between the two of us. Her mouth opens and closes like a guppy’s. Then she nods. "Well… Okay then. It was lovely to meet you, Thane. Audra, I'm so glad that you dropped in." She spins on her heel and marches toward a crowd of women near the bar.
Audra squeezes my fingers, practically vibrating. "Wow. That was amazing!"
"What was?"
She laughs. "Nobody has ever told my mother off like that before."
"I didn't really tell her off…"
"Please. You interrupted her. You disagreed with her. Trust me, that's more than anyone has dared to do in ages.”
My hand glides up to settle on the bare skin between her shoulder blades. "Someday you're going to tell me all about your weird childhood, right?"
She nods slowly. "Yeah. Definitely. Just…not this week, okay?"
"Sure."
I look around at the clusters of people mostly gathered around the bar. "Would you like a drink, or— "
"Let's bolt." Her eyes sparkle. "We've done our duty. Now I want…" Her hand slips into my jacket and presses against the side of my chest.
"You're not suggesting that I should ever take off this immaculate suit?"
"Oh, that's exactly what I'm suggesting.”