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We chatted amongst our friends for a moment before my phone vibrated in my pocket. I placed it to my ear. This is James.
Hey, you told me to call?
Yeah, of course. One second, let me step to a quieter place. I lowered the phone. “Excuse me. I have to take a work call for a moment.” I exchanged a glance with Vincenzo, who did his best to hide his annoyed expression. After he and Elizabeth had their secret moments, he knew he couldn’t protest.
I waltzed out of the dining room, down the hall to the bathroom, opening the door. I peeked back and forth to ensure no one saw me disappear into the powder room area and locked it behind me. I spun around, nestling my phone back into my pocket.
Maddie’s lip was pinned between her teeth with a smile, waiting for me to make the first move.
“Come here.” I grabbed her hand, yanking her into my body. “We can't do everything I want to do right now, but if I don't kiss you, I'm going to lose my fucking mind.”
She opened her mouth to respond, but I crashed my lips into hers, cutting off her words. I wanted to bend her over the counter and make her watch me fuck her from behind in the mirror. But tonight wasn't about us. And I didn't want to push our luck by being away from the party for too long. I just needed a few moments alone with the woman that I’d fallen for.
Our kiss deepened, the hunger from both of us growing stronger by the second as our tongues entwined. Her lips were soft and the red wine-colored lipstick she’d chosen for the evening tasted slightly fruity. With great reluctance, I broke our kiss.
I swiped my thumb under her bottom lip, erasing the minor smudge from her lipstick. “Damn, that's some strong lipstick.”
“It's made to last and moments like this.” She snickered.
“Good.” I nodded. “I know Vinny already talked to you about us needing to come clean after the party.”
She nodded, worry appearing on her face. Taking her palms in mine, I brought the back of her hands to my lips, kissing them. Hanging on tight, I lowered them between us. “Are you ready to tell my kids our secret tonight after the party?”
“I don't know that I'll ever be fully ready, but I know they deserve to know the truth, and part of loving you is being truthful with them.” She withdrew one of her hands, placing it on my jaw. “I just want you to know whatever happens, I will stand by you in the end.”
“I really hope it doesn't ruin your friendship with her, but I have a feeling it's going to be rocky for a little bit.”
“I know. Probably similar to what you and Vinny went through. I’m more concerned about your relationship with her, though. She’s your flesh and blood.”
I shrugged. “Hopefully, once the Band-Aid is ripped off, we can all move forward, and you and I can enjoy a beautiful future together.” I pressed my lips to hers again. “How does that sound to you?”
The sound of a vibration coming from both of us drew us out of our conversation. She took her phone out of her black clutch, and I got mine out of my pocket. “I got a message from Eliza,” we said at the same time.
OMG Where are you and Maddie?! Mom is here!
“Oh, shit!” I spun around, wrenching the door open, and parading down the hall.
Maddie shadowed closely behind. “She asked where we were, what’s wrong?”
“Alicia’s here.” I tried to open the side door to the room, but it was locked, so we trekked back to the main entrances, stepping into the dining room. “Oh, no.”
“…so I wanted to come by and wish my gorgeousss daughter and her much older fiancé a wonderful future.” Her gaze homed in on Maddie and me. “THERE!” Alicia shouted from the platform at the back of the room, just as Vincenzo jumped on stage to pull her down.
A scuffle broke out between them, as he was doing his best not to hurt her in front of anyone. Elizabeth was frozen. Maddie and I hurried to her side.
“Alicia, let the microphone go.” Vincenzo pried her hands away from it. “It’s time for you to go.”
“AHHH!” she wailed. “Eliza, your father is sleeping with Maddie and th—!”
The mic fell to the floor, and Vincenzo carried her over his shoulder out a rear entrance leading onto the terrace. Several of his men followed. Elizabeth turned to Maddie and me, her eyes pooled with tears.
“Eliza,” I exhaled.
She glanced back and forth between Maddie and me. “Her speech actually started out nice, and he was going to pull her off the stage, but I told him to let her speak because I thought she was going to try to actually redeem herself and wanted happiness for me. I’m a fucking idiot.” Tears rolled down her cheeks, and she hurried past us out the front entrance.
“Let me handle this,” I muttered to Maddie before I rushed after my daughter.
Elizabeth threw open the main entrance in the lobby and stormed outside. She sobbed into her hands as I came to a stop behind her. All I wanted was to wrap her in my arms and hug her, but I knew that would only make her angrier. So, I stood in silence for a moment before I couldn't take it any longer and I took a step toward her.
