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“He was here. I don’t know how he tracked me down, maybe he followed me or something, but he cornered me in the street.”
“What an asshole!”
“You’re telling me,” I groaned. “But they found me, saved me, and insisted on staying the night to watch over me.”
“Oh, sweetie,” Lily laughed. “And you were so uncertain about whether or not to give them roses.”
“I know.” I draped back onto my bed and sighed happily. “I’m glad you’re sending them anyway.”
“They’re already on their way to you.”
“Thank you. I’m sorry it’s just a quick call, I was so excited, and I just had to tell you. And also warn you because Shane is…”
“Shane,” Lily agreed. “Forget about him. I have ten minutes before I have to leave; tell me everything.”
I did. In great detail, I explained how things had gone with Toby, how Lucas had tackled Shane, and how we had spent the night cuddled up with pizza and a movie. It was so sickeningly romantic that Lily couldn’t help but tease me at how it was impossible to keep the affection from my voice. I was rapidly falling in love with three men, and it was heaven.
When Lily ended the call, I called down from room service and ordered coffee and bagels with all the trimmings. It was hard to work out exactly what each of them would like in the morning so getting everything was best. Then I returned to the door and stared out at their handsome, sleeping faces.
If ever I had felt a strong pull to stay in New York, it was right here, right now.
The chance to wake up to this every morning? If this was what my life here could be like, maybe it was time I fully embraced becoming a city girl.
28
SCARLETT
“Scarlett! Over here!”
I turned, scanning the crowd as I smoothed down a few flyaway hair from my up do. Once again, I found myself at a high-class party thrown by Toby for some organization that he’s on the board for, and in his words, it was the perfect place to celebrate our agreement. Out of everything that had happened since I came to the city, navigating the social elite had to be the most exhausting.
Luckily, Camille had sent a dress over in a stroke of surprising kindness. It was a sleek black figure-hugging dress with a leather corset and glittering jade stones all around the bodice. Definitely a sexier dress than anything I owned (apart from Lucas’ purple one), and it flowed around me like water as I weaved through the crowd toward Toby. He met me in the middle and immediately took my hand.
“I’m so glad you could make it!” The genuine warmth in his smile made my heart soar, and I grinned back. “Did you get a chance to read over the papers?”
“Not all of them,” I replied, quickly kissing his cheek. “I was so swept up in work today and then getting here; it was crazy.”
“No problem.” Toby waved one hand. “It’s all laid out for you to read and double-check, but I have officially bought you out of the Estate, and your home is now one hundred percent yours! I also included some stock within the Wine company.”
My brow shot up. “Wait, really? I thought your father was adamant that stayed with you?”
“He was, but honestly, I don’t care.” Toby chuckled, gathering two champagne glasses from a passing tray. “You’re family, and family always has stock in the business. It’s enough to keep you interested should you ever decide to get into the wine business, but if not, then it’s a nice nest egg for you.”
“I— I don’t know what to say.” I accepted the glass with a smile as a shiver of excitement stole across my body, turning my skin into gooseflesh. He was really serious about the family stuff now, huh?
“You don’t have to say anything,” he smiled, then his face twisted slightly, and he leaned closer. “Although maybe keep it quiet that you’re an Ashbluff in this place. Honestly, so many people here either want my money or to plaster our name onto something that it’s impossible to keep track of who genuinely would be a good deal.
Our name. He said our name.
My heart fluttered, and moisture beaded my eyes as I watched my brother straighten up and scan the room.
“In my experience,” I replied, my voice slightly strained. “Go with what your gut tells you. Thirty seconds into a pitch, I can tell if it’s something I want to be behind or not.”
“Thirty seconds,” Toby repeated. “Got it. Oh!” His eyes widened as he caught the eye of someone in the crowd, and then he turned back to me with a smile. “I have to go talk to them, but please, enjoy the party! My friends are around here somewhere.”
“Go, go!” I flapped my free hand, not wanting to get in between Toby and his business, and then he melted into the crowd. I took a deep breath, then drained my glass of champagne and started to weave through the crowds toward the bar. A sea of unknown faces warmed by alcohol moved past and above me, streamers twinkled with the lights and name of whatever organization Toby was supporting tonight.
This was less of a dinner affair and much more of a drink until your check book opens kind of deal. None of it really mattered to me though, because I was still in awe of Toby referring to the family name in a way that included me. That had felt impossible when I’d first arrived here.
