27. Chapter 27
Chapter twenty-seven
— BETTY BY TAYLOR SWIFT
As I step into my dress, I hear a knock on my door.
“Can I come in?” Vince’s voice permeates the wall, and I can’t help but smile.
“Yes,” I say, and when the door opens, my mouth drops.
Because Vince Evans is standing in my door frame in a full navy blue suit that looks like it was made just for him. It molds to every muscle in his body, and his hair is curly and all over the place, but in a styled way.
He’s fucking beautiful, and I know what his mouth feels like on mine.
I think it got about ten degrees hotter in here, and when I look down at my pale blue dress, I notice the two of us are matching.
“Did you plan on matching with me tonight?”
He smirks as he steps closer into my room. “No, but Nico insisted I wear navy blue because he’s wearing maroon and didn't want to clash with me.”
I giggle as I imagine that conversation. “Well, you look wonderful.”
“Thank you,” he says as he roams his gaze over my body. I opted for some blue chunky pumps, and my hair is curled down my back, tied with a long white bow. My makeup is simple, so I decided to go with a dark pink lip gloss. Vince must notice because his eyes linger on my lips for a few seconds before he returns to my eyes. “There are no words to describe how enchanting you look tonight, Bree.”
“Thank you, but I’ll look better when I lace my dress up. Can you help me?” I say as I turn around, the threads of my dress hanging to the ground.
“Of course,” he says as he moves closer to me. I feel his hands grab the threads before his face moves closer to mine from behind. My heels give me a bit of height, but he still has to bend down toward my ear. “How do I do this?”
“You just take it and cross it through the holes and then tie it off at the end.” My voice comes out in a whisper, and as his hands start to work across my back, my entire body gets hot.
Can he feel what he does to me? Does he know how much I want him to kiss me again? I thought all the stolen touches from before were enough to drive me crazy, but since we kissed, every touch has felt a thousand times worse.
He ties off the end of the threads in a small bow, my dress now fitting me like a glove. I turn around to thank him, but he’s a lot closer than I thought.
His eyes are piercing into mine, and I notice his hands are still wrapped around my waist, as if he can’t bear to let me go.
I’m staring straight into his eyes, and for this fleeting moment, I pretend he’s mine, that we’re going to this event together. For this moment, I can pretend we’re a real couple, that he helped me get ready, and maybe I tied his tie for him because he needed my help.
Maybe one day, that will be real, but for now, the two of us are in a delicate stage of in-between. We’re not anything, but we’re also not nothing, because I know what he tastes like, and I’ve felt his mouth against mine.
“Are you ready to go?”
“Just a few more seconds, please,” I tell him, still looking into his eyes .
“For what?”
“To pretend it’s real. To pretend that you’re mine,” I whisper.
He leans down and presses a kiss to my forehead. “We’re as real as the air you’re breathing, Bree. You have me, angel. I promise you, I’m not leaving your side.”
“You have me too, Vince.” He smiles at me, and if this wasn’t my event, I would stay here all night, lost in the feel of him. “We can go now. I can’t be late to my own event.”
“Wherever you go, I go, Bree.” He grabs my hand. “Let’s make this the best night ever, okay?”
I can only nod as we descend the staircase, and he whisks me off into the night with a smile on my face the entire time.
Nothing in the world can hit me when Vince is by my side. The two of us deserve some light after all the dark we’ve endured, and tonight feels like the beginning of something new, something good.
And I can't wait to see where it leads us.
As I walk into the ballroom with Vince behind me, I’m stunned at how many bodies I see filling the space. I knew we had invited a ton of people, but actually seeing them all inside the ballroom for a good cause makes my heart soar.
“Bree!” I hear from across the room, and when I move my head to the right, I see all of my favorite people standing together, looking in my direction.
Liv and Tristan look beautiful in their matching attire, both of them in gray. Nico is wearing a maroon suit, while Teags is wearing her signature color—black—with some bright red heels and lipstick. My best friend is absolutely beautiful. Dom has just returned with a drink in his hand, and he’s opted for his usual all-black suit. His jet-black hair makes him look even more dangerous than he normally is.
My heels click as I walk across the ballroom, and I wrap my sister in a hug when I reach them.
“Bree, you look absolutely beautiful,” she whispers in my ear. Her eyes move behind me. “You don't look too bad yourself, Vince, but my sister has you beat.”
I can hear him laugh as I turn to let him into our circle. “I’m not going to argue with that, Liv.” His eyes move to everyone else. “You guys clean up well.”
“Who are you again?” Dom asks, and I have to fight the urge to laugh.
“Vince Evans, Bree’s bodyguard,” he says as he shakes Dom’s hand.
“Oh, right. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Yeah, you too. Your parents are jewelers, right? I recognize your last name,” Vince tells him. I knew he had dossiers on my social circle, but damn.
“That they are.” Dom rolls his eyes, and I wonder how close he is with his parents. That’s the same way I would talk about my own parents when people found out they were both lawyers.
Tristan starts to laugh as he turns to Dom. “The fact that Vince knows more about your parents than I do is crazy. You told me they were rich, but I didn't know why. Vince, thank you for your service.” He raises his drink to him, a smirk on his face.
“Before I put my foot in my mouth again, I’m gonna make my rounds and check in with my guys. Nico, care to walk with me, buddy?”
Nico only smiles at him before the two of them head to leave, but Vince catches my arm and leans down to my ear.
“Save me a dance?” he questions.
“You’re the only one I want to dance with anyway,” I tell him, my cheeks flushing.
“I’ll be around if you need me, angel. Have fun, okay? ”
I nod at him as Nico drags him away, and when I turn to face my friends again, they’re all looking straight at me. “What?”
“The amount of sexual tension between you two is crazy. Is he your bodyguard or your boyfriend? Or both?” Dom asks before Tristan smacks his arm.
“Dom, shut the fuck up.”
“Come on! It’s a valid question.”
“Is that right?” I say to them, and all of my friends nod their heads. “Damn, okay.”
“We don’t have to talk about this here, Bree,” my sister says. “But it’s nice seeing you happy again. No matter what you two are, I’m thankful your smile is back on your face.”
“Me too,” Teags says as she rolls her eyes. Aw, her love language.
“I’m so thankful my parents didn't make me bring a date to this,” Dom says, looking at me. “Thanks for denying my plus one, Bree. You’ve saved my life.”
“You’re welcome?” I say, confused as to why he’s so happy to be here stag.
“Your parents would force you to bring a date? What kind of parents do you have, Dom?” Liv asks him, a curious look in her eye.
“Pushy ones who won’t get off my back,” Dom says as he downs his drink. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to mingle.”
“I’ll join you, Dom. It is my event, after all,” I say as I tell my friends goodbye and join the crowd of people.
This is my least favorite part about events—mingling. It always feels so fake. But being able to talk about why the foundation is so important to me will always mean the world.
“So,” I say to Dom. “I don't know how long it took me to realize your family owns Graves Jewelry.”
“I’m not exactly an open book when it comes to them, but yeah, the family business has been passed down for generations. I’m next in line to learn, but not before I clean my act up.” Dom smiles as he glances at me.
“Is that so?”
“I’ve gotta please mommy and daddy if I want my inheritance. I have an entire trip planned next summer to prove how good of an employee—I mean, son—I am.”
That was totally on purpose. “I bet you’ll prove a lot of people wrong, Dom. To be fair, I’m glad you’re here in place of them. It’s always good to see you.”
The two of us break off in separate directions. Connie pulls me to the side an hour later, her phone in one hand and her clipboard in the other. “Are you ready for your speech? You’ve got around three minutes.”
“I’m ready.”
Connie looks around at me, her eyes almost bugging out of her head. “D-did you not write anything down? Where are your note cards?”
“I don't have any. I’m speaking from the heart, Con. It’ll be fine.” I smile, hoping it eases her, but it doesn't seem to be working.
“I believe in you. Sort of,” Connie says as she speed walks away to the stage, and everyone quiets down. “Hello, everyone, and thank you so much for coming. This event has been an absolute blast, and we’ve already surpassed our donation goal, so thank you so much!” A round of applause ensues before I feel a hand caressing my arm. I don't even have to guess who it is.
“Liv, I’m going to be fine. You know I don't hate public speaking as much as you do,” I say as I spin to face my sister.
“I know you’ll be amazing, Bree. I just wanted to stand with you before your speech. And I’m sorry that our parents did what they did.”
“Don’t apologize for their mistakes, Liv.”
“I’m not. Well, I did, but I wasn't trying to. I’m just so proud of you, Bree. I feel like I don’t say it enough, but I am so damn proud of the woman you’ve become. Look at all this good you’re doing for others, even when you’re going through something nobody else can understand. It’s remarkable, Bree. You are remarkable.”
I pull her in for a hug, our heels making us the same height. “I am who I am because of you, Liv.”
“You are who you are because of you , Bree. I had nothing to do with who you’ve become. And no matter what you say, I’m not taking any credit. Now, get up there and show everyone why I’m the writer in the family,” she jokes as she squeezes my hand before she heads back to Tristan, slipping into his side like she was always meant to be there. Tristan’s eyes meet mine, and he gives me a thumbs up before I hear Connie introduce me.
That’s my cue .
I walk up the short staircase before I hug Connie and stand behind the podium. I take a deep breath as I look out into the crowd, the ballroom filled with more people than I could’ve imagined when I first started organizing this event.
“Thank you all for coming. I’m so excited to be hosting this event in honor of the Mental Health Foundation, and the fact that we’ve already passed our donation goal is…insane. So, to anyone who donated, thank you so much. One hundred percent of your donations will be going directly to the foundation to bring mental health access to communities where it’s not easily accessible.”
I pause for the applause, and before I speak again, I lock eyes with my family in the front of the small stage. I knew this wasn't going to be easy, but seeing them here to support me makes the nerves settle in my stomach. And then I spare a glance at Vince in the back of the room, and the look of pride on his face is enough to send me straight through the floor.
He throws me a wink, and I smile to myself. “I know a lot of you have probably heard about my life through the internet. I’ve been putting myself out on the internet since I was a teenager, and I’ve had my best and worst moments broadcasted for everyone to see. A lot of people have had a lot to say, especially in the past few months.”
I look to my sister for some extra strength, and I take another breath to steady myself. “But my story is my own, and nobody should be able to tell it for me. I talk to my therapist every single day. Since that night in May, I’ve had panic attacks, PTSD-induced nightmares, and so much more behind closed doors. It’s been hard, and it’s been the biggest fight of my life, but having someone to talk to about it has made it easier to carry. It was easy for me to have access to a therapist, but others don't have that luxury. This foundation is so close to my heart, so thank you all. I hope the rest of your night is magical. Thank you.”
I walk off the stage, and I’m immediately met with Teags and my sister pulling me into a hug before Teags lets me go to take a sip of her champagne.
“Might want to slow down, Teags,” Dom says as he tries to take her flute from her.
“I’ll bite you, Graves. Don’t touch my drink when I’m having a good time,” she snaps back, and our eyebrows raise. I can almost guarantee we’re both thinking the same thing.
Vince’s hand around my center surprises me, and before I have time to say anything, he whisks me to the dance floor, just as a song comes on that I immediately recognize.
Faithfully by Journey.
“Did you pick this song just for me?” I ask him, wondering if he remembers that the first time he escorted Liv and I home after we met, this was the song playing on the radio.
“Of course I did. Now, let’s get lost in the music for a bit, okay?”
I can only nod at him as my grip on his hand tightens, and I let him lead while we dance. I’m not the best dancer, but Vince seems to be amazing at it. He’s got this confidence about him when he dances, and with the way he’s looking at me, I could melt into a puddle on the floor.
I’m hyper-aware of all the cameras, but I’m also aware of his hand on my back, guiding my movements. The way his hand feels in mine is too good, and I hate that the song is almost over because I could dance with him all night and never get tired of it.
I like being close to him like this. It almost feels more intimate than our other interactions. Our entire relationship can be explained through how we’re dancing. He’s the one guiding me, holding me steady and safe, and I’m the one naturally following his lead. The two of us make so much sense, but all these other factors keep getting in the way, and I can’t wait until those walls aren't blocking us anymore.
I want to be able to dance with him any time I want. I want him to kiss me like nobody's watching, even if we’re surrounded by people. I want us to be real.
But I have to wait for that moment, and I’d wait forever if it meant I could have him for real in the end. I’d wait as long as it takes if Vince is by my side the entire time.
I’m about to ask if he wants to dance to another song before murmuring ensues by the door, and a few people start to cheer.
“What’s going on, guys?” Nico asks me as he appears by our side.
“I’m not sure,” Vince tells him. “You two stay here while I go check it out.” His head flicks to where Emerson and Duncan stand, but then a familiar face pops into view, wearing a suit and that same pretty boy smile he shows everyone in Hollywood.
Alex is here, even though he was not on the guest list.
“Bree! My beautiful Bree,” he says as he all but slides over to where I’m standing with Nico. He grabs both of my hands before he leans into my ear. “Play along, okay?”
“What?” I whisper at him before he pulls back from me and gets on both of his knees. “What the hell are you doing here? ”
“Bree Hart, the worst things I’ve done in my life are the things I’ve done to you these past few weeks. I am so sorry for breaking your trust in me, and I’m sorry you found out from someone other than me. It was a mistake, a slip-up, a casual thing with all of them. It meant nothing to me.”
“Alex,” I say, nervously looking around at the scene he’s now created at an event that means way too much to me. I can’t believe he’s done this. Now, all of the coverage tomorrow is going to be about this moment instead of the foundation. “Please get up.”
“Not until you forgive me. I wanted to make a grand gesture here in front of everyone to show you how sorry I am. A big gesture like in one of those books you love so much.”
“And you thought showing up and crashing my event was the best way to do that?” I question, a smile on my face but anger in my tone. I all but yank him off the floor and drag him to a small, private area outside the venue. By the time we’re outside, he drops the phony boyfriend act. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“My team told me I should make a big show of faith to you, to show the media we’re doing better than ever. Did it work? Do you think they believed it?”
“Oh my God, you’re such an idiot,” I say as I pace around on the cobblestone beneath my feet. I have no idea how I’m supposed to go back out there and continue the night after the scene he made. I’m hoping Connie is trying to end the event early or make some other gesture that could get people to forget about this, but I doubt it will help.
“Bree, I thought this would be okay. Why are you freaking out right now?”
“Because this event meant something to me, and you ruined it with your stupid declaration! Now this is all people are going to be talking about for days! And why the hell did you think apologizing for cheating on me in front of everybody was a good idea? ”
“The main part was over! I thought it would be okay! The only thing I wanted to do was show the media we’re still together despite me being a young idiot. I figured showing up here, at your event, was the best bet to get people to notice.”
Is he blaming all this on the fact that we’re young? “Well, you thought wrong, Alex! Oh my God, this is a mess,” I say as I place my hand on my head and a few seconds later, the door opens, and in comes Vince and Nico. The two of them are staring at Alex, both looking rather murderous, but Vince’s gaze shifts to mine.
“Did he touch you, Bree? Did he break the fucking rules again because he’s an idiot who doesn't care about anyone but himself?”
Vince starts towards Alex, and I place my hand on his chest. “No, he didn't, Vince. I’m fine. I’m just pissed is all.”
“If you touch her without permission again, I’m calling this deal between you two off, and then I’ll kick your pretty boy face in.”
“Vince…” Nico warns as he wades into dangerous territory, but Alex doesn't let up.
“It’s funny, Evans. Did I see the two of you dancing before I came in, or did my eyes deceive me? I don't want to make any assumptions, but those looks you shared were very telling.” Alex smiles, and Vince takes another step forward before Nico grabs his arm.
“He’s not worth it, buddy. If you go back out there after kicking his teeth in, the media will go even crazier than they are now.”
“Please don't make this worse, Vince. I’m fine; he didn't touch me.”
“But he ruined your night.” Vince clenches his jaw.
“Not all of it was ruined,” I tell him as his muscles start to relax. “Alex, we have one more fake date left. After that, you’re free to date and fuck whoever you want, as am I. Please leave before you make things worse. Connie will be in touch with your people.”
“Okay,” he says as he opens the door. “I miss you already, Bree. I’ll see you soon, baby. ”
I know he’s saying all that because people can hear him, and it pisses me off. Where the fuck does he get off doing all this at my event?
Did he really think that showing up here and making some bold statement was going to make everyone believe we were all fine and dandy? Did he think I was going to kiss him, hold him in my arms, and forgive him just so our contract would hold up? He’s an even bigger idiot than I thought. What happened to that guy in the bookstore all those weeks ago? Where did the real Alex go, and why does he keep up this stupid persona when he’s fine as is beneath his exterior?
I turn to face Nico and Vince, who both have the same look on their face—concern for me and anger at the situation, I assume.
“Are you okay?” they both ask me at the same time, and I can only nod.
“I’ll be fine. How bad is it out there?”
“According to my guys, bad. I don't even know how Alex got in, and someone’s getting fired or demoted when I find out—”
I walk up to Vince and put my hand against his chest, hoping it will be enough to calm him down. “Vince, stop. If Alex wanted to get in, he would get in. I’m sure it was nobody’s fault.”
“She’s right, Vincey. That kid has more tenacity than we did at his age. Look, I’ll try and get some of the headlines featuring Alex taken down by the morning so your event has the front page, Bree.”
“Thanks, Nico. I appreciate that.”
“Anything for you, princess.” He smiles at me, and I only roll my eyes.
“Nico, get the fuck out and meet me by the entrance,” Vince commands, and he leaves without a fight. When the door closes, Vince and I are alone again, and my body becomes all too aware of how close he is to me. “Are you okay, baby?”
Baby . I don't know why that term of endearment makes my heart beat a little faster. “I am now,” I say as I wrap my arms around his middle and press my body to his. “Now I feel a lot better. ”
I feel his chest rise and fall, as if he’s laughing, before his arms tighten around me. “I’m glad he didn't ruin your night completely.” His hand grabs my chin and tilts my head up to meet his. “You even sparkle in the moonlight, Bree.”
“Stop making me blush, Vince, or people are going to think we’re doing something out here.”
“The pink of your cheeks is my favorite color, Bree, so why would I stop? Let them think we’re doing something. I can handle anything that all those nobodies say about us.”
And then he presses his lips to mine, kissing me how I’ve wanted to be kissed since we danced in each other's arms. His lips take over, and his tongue swipes into my mouth as the two of us breathe heavily under the starry sky.
“More, Vince,” I tell him, and he grips the back of my neck, kissing me deeper and rougher than the first time.
Fuck , I think to myself. This is what I needed; he is what I needed.
He pulls back from me, breathing heavily as he centers himself. “Bree, I’d love nothing more than to get lost in your lips all night, but we should really get you out of here before it gets too crowded outside.”
I steal one more kiss from him while we’re alone, before the cameras come back to us and I have to pretend like I don't know what his lips feel like on mine.