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8
EASTON
Istared at Noemi’s name on my phone before closing the message and deciding it might be best to call Vincent. It had been a week since they had gotten together and I had been dying to know what had happened. Did she show up? Did she like what they did together? What did he do to her?
I had been on the verge of contacting them several times, Noemi had even called me once but I had been busy with work. I chickened out each time I wanted to call, thinking I had no right to know. This little obsession I had developed had consumed me. I was about to call Vincent again, but I decided against it, throwing my phone on the bed to finish getting ready for the gala tonight.
I grabbed my tux from the closet and laid it on the bed I had fucked Noemi on two weeks ago. Taking a deep breath, I pushed her from my thoughts as I put my black shirt and pants on. Tonight’s gala had to go well. Love4all needed the money to survive and to build another location in the city. Love4all was an organization that helped struggling teens and young adults. They had two programs, one was a big brother/sister and another was for counseling, family and legal services.
I worked part-time in their legal department when they had any issues arise and anytime someone needed legal advice. Lately, a lot of kids had been trying to get emancipated because their families had turned their backs on them. It was those kids I worked the hardest for. No one should have to live with a family that didn’t love them for who they were.
Grabbing my jacket, I slipped it on thinking Genevieve was right. The dark blue velvet jacket looked amazing. I fixed my hair one last time before I grabbed my watch and phone, heading downstairs to my Uber that would be here any minute. The gala was being held at a ballroom that was twenty-seven stories up in one of the downtown high-rises. It would be a gorgeous view and hopefully would make people more gracious with their pocketbooks.
I arrived early to make sure the setup was going well and to see if they needed help with anything. Diane, the executive director, met me at the small red carpet. This year was the first time we had done this in the hope that the bigger names we had invited got their names in papers and local magazines, adding to our appeal.
As much as I loved when people gave to our cause, a lot of people loved to be photographed doing it. And far be it from me to judge that if it got the organization the money it needed.
Ok, maybe I was judging a little.
“I’m so glad you’re here early,” Diane said, dragging me up to the red carpet. “Take some pictures and then I need you to talk to the Valbuenas as soon as they get here. They are going to make a sizable donation, but they wanted to ask a few questions and honestly, you’re the best man for it.”
“How about we skip the photos and I head up to get ready for them,” I said, pulling back.
“Oh no, you have to take pictures. A hunky man like you will draw attention,” she pushed me forward. “We need attention and the lady on the end is doing an article for us, just say hi and give her a few words, please.”
She pushed me forward, scurrying away to the first photographer as the mad flash of the cameras started.
“Easton! Over here!”
That’s all I remember before I walked down, blinded by the fucking lights. I don’t even remember half of the red carpet because I was just trying not to look like a dumb-ass. If this wasn’t going to help, I would have run away.
The journalist was even worse, blatantly flirty with me and she even brushed against me with her chest. I gave her a little backstory and what I did for Love4all. She even asked if I wanted to get coffee, for the article of course. All I wanted to do was roll my eyes and pray I didn’t see her again.
As I finished up with her, people were strolling in for the gala. I think I even spotted Gabriel Medina, the hot model that every gay, bisexual and straight man drooled over. Excitement that he would come to our event gave me hope that we could raise the money we needed.
I strolled inside, heading up the elevators into a ballroom that screamed elegance. Our banner was placed in prime spots along with rainbow floral arrangements that looked stunning.
I checked with the event coordinator to see if anything needed to be done and we fixed a few issues before the first guest arrived. The local band was one of the first groups of kids we helped at the center three years ago. They had been playing the local scene and they were finally getting noticed.
They looked good in tuxes, and it warmed my heart that they had been doing so well even though their lead singer, Gage, had had a really bad upbringing. I passed by the stage waving at them when Gage winked at me. That kid was going to flirt with the wrong person one day, but that’s what made Gage so much fun.
Diane found me right away, steering me to the Valbuenas. I smiled at a few people as we walked across the room, seeing more and more people enter.
“Mr. Valbuena, this is Easton Mercer.” Diane introduced us, and I turned around to see this gorgeous man with none other than Gabriel Medina.
“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Valbuena,” I said, holding out my hand.
“Please, call me Lincoln,” he said, shaking my hand. “This is my wife, Lola, and this is our?—”
“Hi, I’m their husband,” Gabriel Medina said, shaking my hand after I shook Lola’s hand.
I had heard about their relationship, but it had never been confirmed and I was intrigued.
“Uh… It… It’s very nice to meet you.” I stumbled over my words, shaking his hand.
“Gabe, now you’ve made him uncomfortable,” Lola said, smacking his shoulder.
“Oh, no. I would have been flustered around Gabriel without him telling me you are all together,” I said, clearing my throat, glancing at the gorgeous man, hoping my face wasn’t red. “What kind of bisexual man would I be if I didn't preach what I believed? Love is love, no matter the color, the sexual orientation and definitely not the amount of people in a relationship.”
