The blonde beauty disappears from view, and Ash and I both expel our breath.
“I lied. I’m excited for tonight.” Ash grins.
“I bet.” I laugh.
I push away from the railing, and we do our handshake without effort—something we’ve done thousands of times before. Ash heads back inside, and I’m left alone with my thoughts again—annoying, nagging thoughts that won’t leave me alone.
But then her image appears in my mind again.
That’s one thought I don’t hate in the slightest.
Maybe tonight won’t be too horrible after all.
An hour later, I can’t imagine the night getting duller or more dreadful. Especially with no sighting of the mystery girl.
I’m usually on my A game, ready to be a perfect host.
But tonight, I can feel that storm brewing inside of me—the same one I usually keep at bay, locked away in a chest. I’m scared of it breaking through, nervous about what wreckage it may cause.
“Dean.” My father waves me over from the cocktail table, where I’m standing a few feet away.
I approach, and he grabs the back of my neck, appearing loving to any onlookers, but I know what it really is—a collar, and he’s reminding me how short my leash is.
“Don’t make tonight about your disapproval of this engagement. Keep a smile on your face and do your job.”
“Myjob?” I have to forcefully stop myself from laughing.
It’s a family celebration, and it’s like I’m on the clock, ready to win an Oscar for this performance.
He smiles and waves at a few guests, dressed to the nines, as they walk by.
With a fake smile on his face, he scolds, “What has gotten into you lately?”
I’m shocked at the utter hypocrisy.
“I could ask you the same.” I pause, fixing my tie and shrugging his hand and arm off my neck. “But it seems your opinion is the only one that matters nowadays.”
“Dean…” He inhales, sounding genuinely hurt. “Please. We need this night to go perfectly.”
“Don’t worry; you’ve taught me how to hide my emotion deep inside while keeping a smile on my face. I learned from the best.” I show off exactly what I mean as I take a sip of my water, a perfect grin forming on my lips as I swallow.
“We’ll finish this conversation later,” he mutters as Harrison Wilford—a business colleague of ours—strolls over to speak with him.
Can’t wait.
Maria, my assistant—more like my dad’s spy—finds my side. “Mr. and Mrs. Ballinger are walking this way. Remember to congratulate them on their recent vow renewal.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Ballinger.” I clap my hands together as they approach. “I heard you two lovebirds recently renewed your vows. Congratulations. I’m sure it was beautiful.”
Mrs. Ballinger’s face lights up. “Oh, it was.” She beams. “Thank you.”
“Of course. We’re happy you guys are joining us tonight.”
Mr. Ballinger pipes up, “Had to be here to support.”
Maria nonchalantly pokes my side, telling me to move on from this conversation to the next.
I smile and shake his outstretched hand. “You guys enjoy yourselves. And please, let us know if we can do anything to improve it.”
