Chapter 20 #2
“If you could excuse me, I’d like to have some one-on-one time with my date,” Aidan interjects.
I don’t even think before today Mr. Whitmore acknowledged my existence. Today, I was inducted into the family crest.
They are all smiling at me as we exit the circle.
Aidan swoops me away with his hand on my lower back, whispering, “Who was that girl?”
A jolt of excitement courses through my body.
He spins me away from his family and onto the dance floor.
I’m smiling ear to ear. A real turning point for us after the other night.
Maybe if Aidan is satisfied by this weekend, we can go back to normal.
Before Memorial Day weekend, where it all got just a little out of control.
Aidan grazes the small of my back, whispering, “You impressed him.” He presses his lips to my forehead.
A minute into the song, he leans into whisper in my ear, “You just need to remember how to do it tactfully next time. A partnership like that requires credibility. It’s different coming from me than from you.”
His voice is deep and low, unwavering in his statement. My teeth clench together tightly as he spins me like we have done this time and time again.
“I was helping you,” I whisper back.
“Investors need foreplay when you interact with them. Building relationships with them before you overwhelm them with facts.”
“Your dad thought I did fine.”
“He is not going to tell you that you did badly in front of him.” Aidan laughs. “You should have weaved me into your ideas beforehand, so we could’ve discussed the game plan together.”
“You were out fishing with your dad this afternoon. We didn’t have any time to talk.”
“We could have in the last twenty minutes before you disappeared.”
I take a large, deep breath, trying to hold back what is building up inside of me. It’s rising up and down, trying to contain any bit of composure I have left.
“Who are you?” I say quietly. “You almost sound like—”
“Like what?”
“My boss.”
My words cut sharper than I intended, not leaving any room for Aidan to answer. The Whitmores’ eyes are still on us. There is no point in talking about this right now, because with them standing there, I’ll never get a true version of him.
“I think I am going to get some food.”
I brush off his arm on my shoulder and head to the long table on the back wall filled with food. Aidan does the same on the opposite end of the room.
Both of us giving each other space.
Space seems to be the key to our problems lately.
When I look down at my necklace, it’s the dullest pendant I’ve ever seen. At the back wall, I fill my plate with mini quiches. I’m excited to silence the growling in my stomach.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see familiar tousled brown locks. I don’t look up. My only concern is stuffing this quiche in my mouth.
“I didn’t realize this was your boyfriend’s family thing.”
I start choking. He called this sixty-thousand-dollar event a “thing.”
“You never asked,” I say finally, when my throat is clear. I keep my eyes focused on Aidan’s blonde head of hair on the other side of the room. He is stuffing his face with cheese tarts.
“How long have you been dating?” Holden moves more in my eyeline so I can’t avoid his eyes.
“Four years.”
He swipes his tongue across his teeth, taking a few moments to process what I just said.
“Interesting. You never mention him much.” His body moves to the other side of me.
“What are you getting at?” My whisper grows louder. I divert my eyes from Holden to Aidan. From Aidan to Holden. My vision blurs between the two of them.
When Holden steps even closer, the scent of vanilla and musk consumes me. He is completely unfazed that my boyfriend is a few feet away. If I let him step any closer to me, this will definitely be a scene.
“Follow me.”
My words are sharp and concise as I keep walking. Aidan’s back is turned away from us as we slip onto the elaborate lawn that has flowers stretching out on the field of grass.
White peonies, red roses, purple hydrangeas. Everything is beautifully manicured as the string lights hang above, lifting the ambiance. His hand cups mine as if we have done this many times before.
“As you wish, m’lady.”
All I see is a flicker of a grin spread across his face as we walk through the white doors to the open pond at the back of the garden.
Nobody is here.
Funny, since the whole event is called a “garden party” yet nobody seems to enjoy the scenery of this well-landscaped venue.
When our feet meet the stone wall of the pond, I throw my hands up in the air, begging him, “Why are you here?”
Holden looks at me for a long, hard few seconds before letting out an exasperated breath.
“I received this invitation months ago. Plus, Chris told me you took off work to come here.”
“I knew it. If it’s about the document—”
“To date me?” He fills in like I had forgotten.
“Right. Fake-date you. I haven’t even decided if I’m going to sign that yet,” I add.
“You will…”
“Holden, please…”
He gives me a slight smirk as we both watch each other. Waiting for the next play.
A smirk from him probably works on most people. A simple look that takes all his edges and tucks them away because he has charm. Holden Strauss oozes charm.
Before I can even say another word, a glaring light hits our eyes. Rapid yelling and flashes take us all at once.
When the dots in my vision disappear, I catch about six cameras all vying for the best angle. Questions come from behind the lenses.
“Is this your new girlfriend?”
“What’s her name?”
“Is this the girl from the photo the other day?”
My throat feels tight as heavy bile rises through it. Blackburn Press was at the helm of this the whole time.
The commotion sends smoke signals to everyone inside. I can’t even run away because I am trapped by the swarm of men taking our pictures.
Aidan appears out of thin air, narrowing his eyes on me. In a crowd of people, I can see his vein bulging from his forehead. He looks like a red tomato, waiting to burst. With Mr. Carlson and his dad by his side, Aidan displays restraint perfectly.
So, I decide for everyone.
I lean into Holden’s chest, pressing my lips against his, allowing my mouth to do all the work for me. We both sink into each other, letting the noises dim and the faces fade into the background.