Chapter 32
Nathan
“ A re there going to be celebrities tonight?” Charlie asks all bug-eyed.
Her shin-length, dark blue, sequin dress makes her blue eyes look bigger and brighter.
So she kind of looks like a lemur in the midst of all her excitement.
The limo driver has had to circle the block three times now because she’s so unwilling to get out.
“Maybe. None as big as Shaylin or anything… Spencer, are you okay?”
Spencer’s sitting next to me, resting her forehead on the cool glass.
Her long ball gown is stunning. It’s pale pink with handsewn flowers decorating the bodice, round Swarovski crystals for the pistils.
The dress hugs her curves and matches her pink diamond studs perfectly.
I wasn’t sure the designer could come up with something in time, but as soon as I sent over Spencer’s size, the Italian legend happily informed me he had something spectacular in stock.
Spencer is breathtakingly stunning, even more so than usual.
When she met me in the foyer after getting herself and Charlie ready, we almost didn’t go.
I wanted to break my rule right then, send Charlie to her room with noise-canceling headphones, and let the dam break.
Such a pretty dress to tear to shreds, but who cares about hundred-thousand-dollar casualties when she looks like that ?
The only problem is Spencer doesn’t seem thrilled.
She’s been mostly still and quiet all night.
Outside of adjusting my matching pink bow tie, she hasn’t touched me.
This isn’t an official date, especially with Charlie in tow, but I thought she’d enjoy a night of luxury on my arm.
I don’t know what can happen between us but tonight was my way of showing everyone that if something new is going to happen in my love life, I choose Spencer.
“I’m fine,” she mumbles, taking shallow breaths.
“You sure?”
She doesn’t get a chance to answer because Charlie suddenly jumps in. “Have you ever met Shaylin?” she asks me.
I quirk my brow, stealing a sideways glance at Spencer, but she’s turned her attention back to the window. “Your sister didn’t tell you? We both did.”
“ What ?” Charlie shrieks. “Are you kidding me? You met Shaylin and you didn’t tell me?” Her shrill accusatory tone is at a decibel only dogs can hear.
“Damn, Charlie. You’re going to crack a window,” I complain.
A sly smirk spreads on her face. She holds out her hand. “Pay up.”
Fuck. I forgot. I pull out my wallet and look through my bills, trying to find anything that isn’t a hundred. I have one five-dollar bill. Charlie pouts as I hand it over.
“It’s ten per cuss.”
“Damn isn’t that serious of a cuss word. I’m giving myself a discount.”
“You can’t do that. We had a verbal agreement.”
“And what did I teach you about verbal agreements?”
She rolls her eyes, grunting. “They’re seldom upheld in court. Follow up with a written contract and wet signature.”
“Attagirl. And did you do that?”
She snatches the Lincoln out of my hand. “Oh, I plan to, Nathan. I plan to. ” She looks at Spencer. “Now as for you . You met Shaylin and kept it from me? What kind of sister are you?”
“Can you yell at me later?” Spencer murmurs, pleadingly.
“Are you not feeling well?” I ask Spencer. Now I’m concerned. She’s been off all night. “Do you not want to go? I can take you back home.”
“No, no, of course I do. I want to support you and Julia.” She glances at Charlie who is staring at her with daggers for eyes. “And I would also like to keep my head.”
“What’s wrong? You seem so upset.” She pivots in her seat the way the Tin Man would move. I feel bad. She’s probably scared of ruining the dress. “This dress is yours, by the way. You don’t have to be so careful in it.”
“Great,” she mutters bitterly.
What the hell? All right, plan B. I’m just going to get her drunk so she lightens up. I grab the champagne bottle and fill our glasses again. Sneaky Charlie holds out her empty glass and I almost pour into her cup on autopilot.
“Excuse me, miss, your juice is over there.” I point across the limo to the sparkling cider. “Would you like a swirly straw as well?”
Charlie pokes her tongue out at me. “I’m almost twelve. I think I should be able to have my first sip of champagne.”
Spencer cuts her a look. “Over my dead body. You can have your first sip at twenty-one.”
I wait until Spencer’s head is turned, then mouth to Charlie, eighteen. I put my finger to my lips. Spencer’s such a rule follower because she’s terrified of Child Services, but I’ll fly them to Europe. Perfectly legal there.
The limo slows to a halt, the back doors lining up with the red carpet leading into the venue. “Showtime, Charlie. We can’t stall anymore.”
She looks around, breathing in deeply, soaking up the ambiance of the limo one more time. “Bye, limo, I’ll miss you.”
Letting myself out first, I hold my hand out for Charlie, then for Spencer.
She winces as she steps out. I glance down at her shoes, wondering if they’re the cause of her sour mood.
These heels really don’t look much different in size and shape than the ones she wears to the office. That can’t be it.
With Charlie strutting boldly in front of us, I hang back and hook Spencer’s arm in mine as we approach the hotel doors. “Are you hungry?”
“A little,” she answers.
“They’re serving hors d’oeuvres, but I arranged a late dinner to be delivered to our room.”
Spencer freezes, halting us both. “You got us a room?” She nods toward Charlie and lowers her voice. “What do you possibly think can happen with my sister here?”
I smirk. “I reserved the penthouse suite. Three bedrooms. We can eat, watch a PG movie together, then go to bed. All innocent.” I grab her hand and run my thumb over her knuckles. “Or, we could leave one of those rooms untouched.”
She scrunches her face. “I thought we weren’t crossing that line. Your rules and all.”
I lean back, admiring her from head to toe. I duck down to put my lips to her ear so no one else can hear the grizzly desire in my tone. “It’s your fault. The way you look tonight… I think we’re bound to break some rules.”
“Julia,” I bellow so loudly, I startle several guests. I’ve been looking for her all night. Finally spotting her in her gold, sparkling gown, I weave through the crowd, making my way to the host. Eyes wide in surprise when she faces me, she ends the call she’s in.
“Nate! Sorry.” She puts her palm to her forehead. “I mean Nathan. Your dad said you prefer?—”
“Nate is fine.” I hold out my arms, feeling awkward as fuck, but I’m forcing myself out of my comfort zone. “May I?”
“Of course.” She hits me hard in the chest like a lineman. She’s sturdy for her petite frame. I thought she’d bounce off of me, instead she sends me backward one step as she wraps her arms around my waist in a bear hug. “I’m so surprised you came. Thank you.”
“It’s a beautiful event.”
She pulls away, a wide smile on her face. “Everything is falling apart.” Her Vanna White smile is confusing. “I wanted tonight to be perfect, but—” She throws her hands in the air. Oh. I see now. She’s smiling so hard so she doesn’t cry.
I guide her by the elbow out of earshot of guests. “What’s wrong?”
“I couldn’t decide between the silent auction or selling tables. I opted for hors d’oeuvres and auctioning jewelry, but everyone’s wallets are apparently glued shut. Everyone walked by the jewelry cases, yet no one’s bid yet. I should’ve just done a five-course meal and charged per plate.”
“I wouldn’t worry too much. Once the liquor starts flowing?—”
“We’re already out of champagne,” she admits.
Shit. “What else?”
“I promised everyone a performance.” She glances behind her to the stage. There’s a piano and four chairs. “There’s supposed to be a string quartet from the New York Philharmonic and the opera singer Italia Lucci. I just got a call that all we’re getting is a second-chair violinist.”
“What happened?”
“Lucci got a better gig evidently. And I’m still waiting to find out why I only got a quarter of the strings I ordered.” She forces out a deep, anguished breath.
“Anything else?”
“I ordered escargot with the caterers. The snails went bad, so they substituted Rocky Mountain oysters. I realize that’s low on the list of concerns, but this is a fancy event. I didn’t want to serve?—”
“Cow balls. Got it. Where’s my dad?”
Her eyes snap to mine. “Please don’t tell him. I told James I had it under control. He offered to help so many times. Evidently your mom hosted events like this in her sleep. I’m failing at this.”
I pat her shoulder, trying to provide reassurance. Then, I pull out my phone and text Byron.
Me
I need you to hit every single liquor store in a ten-mile radius and buy every bottle of Dom Perignon in stock. Bring them to the back of the hotel.
Byron
Moving now.
Except I spot Byron in his tuxedo tucking his phone back in his pocket and following a butler and a silver tray. Grinding my teeth, I text him again.
Me
Great. Quit stuffing your face and move faster.
He looks up, searching for me around the ballroom. While I have eyes on him, he can’t find me. Fearing my omniscient presence, he heads toward the exit.
Byron
Roger that.
People used to cower around me, desperate to leap into action at my mere request.
Spencer has softened me up into a gummy bear to the point no one flinches when I speak anymore. I’m debating if that’s a good thing.
“More champagne is on the way,” I assure Julia.
“Usually with silent auctions, they need someone to break the ice. Go put down my name as the starting bid for each piece of jewelry, anywhere from a quarter to half a million. In twenty minutes if there’s no movement, double the bid under Dawn’s name.
If she actually wins anything, make sure to bill me.
I’d like to keep my balls intact, thanks. ”
A smile overtakes face, even though she still looks on the brink of tears. “Why are you being so wonderful? I thought you hated me.”
“Why would you think that?” I ask, knowing damn well the answer.
“I’ve literally seen you run away when I approached.”
I cringe, rubbing the back of my neck. “I can be a tough case to crack. I’m sorry.”
“If nothing else comes of this night, you speaking to me is a big win.”
I hold out my hand and she proceeds to give me a firm handshake. Instead, I pull her hand to my lips and peck the back of it. “Cheers to fresh starts, right?”
She nods, her smile relaxing into genuine appreciation. “I’d love that.”
“Just don’t make me call you Mom.”
She cackles. “Fair enough.”
“And just so you know, you’re not failing.
You did a fantastic job. Look around. This place looks incredible and everyone is enjoying the attention to detail.
My mother was fantastic at ordering things and bossing people around.
Gun to her head, she could not tell you what was on the menu at any of her events.
I’m certain my dad is already impressed. He loves you very much.”
Curling her finger, she touches her knuckle in a dabbing motion under her eyes. “Please don’t make me cry right now. My makeup is not waterproof, and I don’t want to look like a wet racoon.”
Her phone pings and she rolls her eyes at the text message. “Lucci,” she grumbles. “Excuses, excuses. I only needed her for one song. She’s on my shit list for life.”
I nod toward the stage. “Is that piano tuned, or just for show?”
“I have no idea.”
I’m taking a leap of faith which may cost me my life, but as much as I’ve put Julia through, she’s been nothing but forgiving and kind toward me. I have to try to help. “After your opening speech, instead of announcing Lucci, just give me the stage.”
“You can sing?”
“God no. But I know someone who can. Just do me a favor and tell everyone no recording and no flash photography.”
“What?”
“Trust me?” I offer.
Twisting her lips, she debates it for a millisecond. “Fine.”
It’s an attempt to secure our new bond, more than actually having faith in my eleventh-hour plan. But it’s something.
Now all I have to do is convince Spencer not to murder me.