43. Brant
Brant
I step on the asphalt outside The Larkwood Manor, greeting the teenager running valet. “Thanks, man.”
He nods, handing me my ticket. I place the stub in the sleeve of my wallet and slip the leather case inside my black trousers.
The heat of the evening sun strikes the exposed skin of my forearms. The building exterior is elegant and grand. A combination of classic architectural elements and lush landscaping.
I slip both hands in my pockets, my dress shoes tapping along the pavers. There’re stone columns adorned with mounted lanterns, and large, arched windows frame the entrance of the building.
My gaze locks on the center, and a flock of murmured voices brushes my back. I peek over my shoulder just as my hand reaches for the front door. I swing it open for several people to enter first, noticing the sea of long dresses and ties.
My free fingers absently adjust the meekly open collar of my white dress shirt. I was informed this was business casual, so I’m not too anxious about sticking out like a sore thumb.
I greet the black marble floor, and the woman in front of me half-turns.
“Thank you,” she says. A smirk forms across her glossy lips, her soft blonde curls bouncing over her shoulders.
“You’re welcome.”
I inch inside under the high ceiling. Lavish décor lines the perimeter of the lobby with a classic chandelier dangling from the center point.
There’s about ten to fifteen people scattered about when I park at the end of the check-in line. A couple minutes pass, and then I’m idled across from the two women behind the table.
“Name?”
“Brant Beckett. Nexis Architecture,” I answer.
“Beckett,” the woman mutters, her manicured finger trailing down the length of the roster. “Perfect, you’re all set.” She shines a beaming smile, her bob cut whisking with the motion. “Congratulations on your award.”
“Great, thank you very much.” I walk around the table to the corner of the lobby, searching for my place card.
“We meet again.”
My head rotates to the right, recognizing the blonde woman. Her blue eyes stand out from her fair skin, and she flashes a flirty smile as I return my attention to the place cards.
“Hi,” I reply through a smirk. “What’s your last name? Maybe I can help you find your table number.”
“Watson. But I don’t want to keep you longer.”
“Luckily, my reading skills and eyesight are pretty decent,” I tease before locating her name. I pluck the folded card just as a chuckle slips from her mouth.
She takes the tag from me, and I quickly switch gears.
“Are you receiving an award?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “No, I’m here to support my brother. He’s an engineer.”
I nod, pivoting to find my place card. “Awesome. Maybe I’ll get the chance to meet him inside. Talk his ear off about architecture or something,” I joke.
“Are you an architect?” she inquires cheerfully.
“Yeah,” I answer, finally swiping my tag. “I work for Nexis Architecture.” My body faces hers again, and I offer my hand. “I’m Brant. Nice to meet you.”
I guess it’s the gentleman in me, I don’t know.
“Gabriella.” Her eyes sparkle under the faint lighting from the chandelier, and she cradles her soft palm in mine.
“Congratulations to your brother,” I say as I peel my hand away. “I hope you have a great night.”
She only nods in agreement, almost stunned by my manners. It’s either that, or she enjoys what she sees.
“Sure,” she finally murmurs.
I turn to walk through the double doors of the ballroom, the expansive space engulfing me as I step onto the carpet.
A huge skylight is stationed in the center of the ceiling, the sinking sun casting a glow onto the white marble dance floor.
There’s a blend of modern and classic elements, colored in soft and neutral tones as clusters of people glide around their round tables.
My head flicks around, spotting Jared in his custom suit and Debra in her floral maxi dress. They wave for my attention, and we head to the cocktail room together.
Jared’s palms are kneading my shoulders from behind. He’s already praising me as we slip into the next area of the venue.
“I appreciate the sentiment, but please stop,” I say.
Jared laughs as he falls in step beside me, and Debra pipes up. “If you think I came here tonight to keep you humble, you’re mistaken.”
“When did humility suddenly become taboo?” I mutter.
My eyes drag over the line of arched windows along the seafoam walls.
Seafoam.
The sight of the color taps on my heart. Every window is framed by a delicate mural of flowers—pastel yellows, pinks, and greens popping from the backdrop.
“I really tried to keep her off the guest list.”
I smirk at Jared as we station ourselves around a tall table. My hands dip into my pockets, and then I’m scanning my gaze between him and Debra. “In all seriousness, I really appreciate the both of you being here. It means a lot,” I say.
Jared shines a tight-lipped smile as he pats my shoulder once. “I’m really proud of you.”
I nod before Debra’s voice cuts in. “We wouldn’t have missed this. There’s no one more deserving.”
I flash a shallow grin her way, flinging my hand between them. “Go get drinks, I’m not having one. I’ll hold down the fort.”
Knowing I’m not going to budge, they slip away gratefully.
“Skirt steak?”
I spin around to a wait staff holding a circular tray of skirt steak skewers. “Thank you,” I say, retrieving a toothpick.
The tangy flavor of the marinade falls on my tongue when I chew the tender meat. My head dips as I swallow the bite, only to pop up when I hear a female voice.
“How’s the steak?”
My eyes land on those same blue eyes, abrupt disappointment cascading into my chest. Like an avalanche.
I force a lazy smile, nodding as I maneuver my tongue inside my mouth. When I’m presentable to talk, my eyes hold Gabriella’s. “Good,” I respond. “But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel like an ass for not getting you one while it was nearby.”
She showcases a smirk, wagging her head as she points over the table. “I was just passing by to meet my brother and his colleagues outside. No worries.”
My head turns to follow the direction of her gesture.
Rich-green shrubs are landscaped around the rear of the property. Lively flowers are planted around and in between. Bright pinks and yellows pierce through the forest shade, an ocean of color dragging me in a trance.
“I also promise I can hold a conversation better.”
I whip my attention to Gabriella when she sighs nervously. Her eyes are awkwardly averted, and then I’m shaking my head. “No, I’m sorry. I was ...” My voice tapers when I fully face her. “I was thrown off by the garden. I didn’t know there was a garden here.”
As soon as the explanation leaves me, I realize how fucking stupid it sounds without context.
“The garden?” she asks.
My palm rubs the back of my neck as I wince. “Yeah, I’m a great reader, but being coherent in a conversation is not my forte apparently.”
Another chuckle falls from her. “Did you want to go out to the garden? You’re more than welcome to join us.”
I playfully squint my eyes in her direction. “Really?” I shoot back. “Even though I’m making a total of zero sense right now?”
Gabriella pops a shoulder, the crook of her mouth tipping up. “Hey, you’re keeping me intrigued.”
A smile flashes across my lips. “Fair enough, but I’ll sit this one out for now.”
She gracefully exits, her jasmine scent drifting in the air as she strolls off. A minute later, Debra and Jared return, conversation ensuing among the three of us.
Every so often, my head is tugged around the room as I draw a sip of water.
I told myself that I wouldn’t make this about her tonight and I would enjoy this moment for me.
More than that, Callie never actually gave me a definitive answer as to whether she was coming or not.
I included her name on the guest list in case, but my hope dwindles every time my eyes fling to the entryway of the cocktail room.
“You look like something is on your mind.”
Debra’s propping her elbow on the small table. She’s resting her chin in her palm as she studies my face. Jared’s engaged in conversation with someone in my peripheral, so I’m left to entertain this discussion.
Thanks, Jared.
Luckily, wit was always my strong suit. “Just thinking about how awkward it’s going to get when the attention is on me.”
Debra laughs, her fingers whisking her feathered strands from her temple. “That’s what the bar is for. Come on, you should at least get one.”
A slanted smile creeps across my face, and I shake my head. “I’ll be fine.” Then I drag my gaze around the black-tie crowd. “You think I should have worn a suit jacket and tie?”
“What? No,” Debra scoffs. “You look as handsome as ever. This is supposed to be business casual, but you know how some of these people are. You’ve been to a few networking events.”
When my eyes return to her, I narrow them in debate. “I probably should have gone with the jacket.”
She laughs. “Why didn’t you? Not that you need one …”
I gently scrunch my nose, peeking around the room again. “I don’t know,” I answer. “Me and upscale places don’t exactly mesh naturally.”
“Why’s that?” she asks, her stare pensive.
“I’ve always appreciated the smaller things in life,” I confess. “Venues like this are great, don’t get me wrong. I just feel out of place.”
Debra raises her brows. “Well, you didn’t look out of place when you were talking to that blonde.”
She never misses a beat. Not a single detail, no matter how pixelated. But just as I’m about to toss her a rebuttal, Jared leans in to let us know they’re moving everyone to the ballroom to start presentations.
Debra and Jared escort their drinks to the main area, and I let them know I’m stepping outside.
Just for a minute.
I dig my hands into my trouser pockets, inching a few slow steps along the paved pathway. I’m the only one venturing outside as a handful of people voyage their way back in. Strangely enough, it feels exactly how it should.
Women dressed to the nines in their cocktail dresses and men in full suits. Then there’s me…donning a white dress shirt and slacks. Sleeves cuffed at my elbows and the top two buttons undone.
But I like it this way.
I was never the person who desired to blend into a crowd or follow the pack. I’ve always just been ... me.
I softly squint, padding down the brick pavers lined with trimmed hedges.
At the very end of the trail is a low-sitting reflecting pool, two white pergolas and trellises stationed on either side.
Bright pink and yellow shrubs frame the outside of the pool, and the evening glow shimmers atop the ripples of the water.
My movement halts, body stopping to absorb the scene and sweet aroma. So many colors trap my attention, but the beauty comes up short.
Tonight represents more than the recognition of my work as an architect. It means more than receiving an award and taking a photo.
Tonight isn’t for me.
It’s for him.
Tonight is for the boy who grew up in a trailer park in Willowhart. Whose only hope to be successful was to live on a prayer.
It’s for the boy who endured heartache day after day because his mom cared more about a bottle of vodka than she did her own kid. Tonight is letting that boy know I didn’t forget him. That all the agony he was forced to endure wasn’t for nothing.
A lot of days, I miss that boy.
There are plenty more opportunities here. Lower hurdles to jump. But the framework of my soul still sits under those loblolly pine trees. I didn’t take it when I left because she was the one who built the foundation with me.
Every tale of my past is laced within Callie’s eyes. When I look into them, it’s like she’s telling me the stories from her perspective. It’s free of judgment and disgust. She makes sure to highlight the good.
She has this ability to dissolve my emotional wounds. She always has. That’s another thing about the other side I never realized before.
On this side, we’re two imperfect people who see each other as perfect.
But on the other side … we were perfect.
We were perfect together.
There wasn’t a single mountain we couldn’t move when it was her and I against the world. We’re the perfect mold.
A pair of white doves.
That’s where the true beauty lies, and that’s where all the colors are. Not here, while I’m trailing my eyes over a collection of flower petals.
The beauty of my life lies within her.
She’s always been mine, and I’ve always been hers to keep. Even if she decides to stay with Jesse, my heart will still beat for her. The blood in my veins will still run for her.
Only her.
My Callie.
That’s the power of eternal love.
That’s what I was granted on the other side.
And when we find our way back, that boy will finally have everything he ever wanted.