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“Hello,” we say, and wait for him to move on.
I shake my head. “The publicity has been crazy. There are photographers everywhere. I’m afraid I’m going to screw this up. Rumors have started buzzing around that we’re not even really married.”
Tyler nods. “Yeah. I saw that. People need to mind their own business and get a fucking life.”
“Vince asked me to talk to Petal. Get her to approve a press announcement quelling any rumors. I don’t know if she’ll do it, though. She’s not as invested in this as I am.”
“Like I said, talk to her. She’s a good girl. She’s not gonna fuck with you. She might not do everything you want, but she’ll be straight with you. She’s that kind of person. Hey, you bringing her to the party this weekend?”
I look down at my fingers, still wrinkled from my long shower. “I haven’t asked her yet. I just assumed she wouldn’twant to. But I think I need her to. You know, put in an appearance and all?”
Tyler pats me on the back. “I don’t know what you’re waiting for. Go home and talk to the woman. Get it out in the open. And buy her a present. Women love gifts.”
I stand up and pull my street clothes out of my locker. “Yeah. I’ll do that.”
“Dude, get it together,” he says, heading for the shower.
What have I done to myself?
28
PETAL
“Are you nervous?”
I look over at Rake, seated next to me in the Town Car he hired. I have to say, he’s so damn dashing in his tuxedo that I’m practically vibrating.
“Do Ilooknervous?” I ask like the smartass I am. I smooth out the green silk of the dress he chose for me and look out the window as we make our way from his condo to the Fairmont Hotel.
If I wasn’t dressed like this, hell, I would have just walked up to Nob Hill, where the hotel sits in all its glory. It would have been a great, sweaty workout. But not one you do when you’re dressed to impress.
He snakes a finger across the top of my hand. “You look a little nervous.”
Now he’s making me even more so.
And I have no idea why. I’ve been to dozens of fancy parties in my lifetime, dolled up to the nines, in the most beautiful venues in the city. Most of the time they’re pretty boring, andI end up making small talk with the same people I see around, anyway. The only difference is the competition to see who has the best dress.
Something I always lose. I am so not a fashion person.
But tonight I am feeling pretty damn good. Who knew Rake had such good taste in women’s clothes?
“Areyounervous?” I ask.
He presses his lips together. “I am. A little.”
I twist in my seat so I can really see him. “Are you kidding? You’re a star athlete. A public figure. How can you be nervous about anything?”
“Sometimes social situations are nerve-wracking. It’s totally normal. You don’t know what to expect, stuff like that.”
“I never thought you would admit to something like that,” I say.
“Guess I’m not the Neanderthal you thought I was going to be.”
“Hmmm. Jury’s still out,” I say with a sniff.
The Town Car pulls into the semi-circle in front of the hotel, so I put my hand on the door handle to get out.
But Rake stops me. “Let the driver do it.”
