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The smooth, silky deep voice that danced from his beautifully defined lips. The way he said her name, smooth like warm honey and how it slid down her spine and brought shivers of delight coursing through her body.
Stop it, Lucy! He’s only a man.
And a hot, sexy one at that. One who would ruin her world if she didn’t meet his demands this Friday.
This Friday.
This Friday.
Oh, why was she both terrified and eager to see this Friday appear?
She was terrified of what he might do to her or her business. He acted like a man not to be reckoned with. At the same time, she would be seeing him again this week, right?
Stop it, Lucy! You’re not that desperate, are you?
Lucy and Maxine both went through the playlist one more time. Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’ would be amongst the tunes blaring through the speakers in addition to some classical tunes, the Beatles’ Come Together, Avril Lavigne’s Hot, some Beyonce, Britney Spears, Motown artists, Nat King Cole, and all other tunes including Bob Marley’s One Love near the end.
“Wow, that’s quite a collection. So…eclectic.”
“Thanks,” Maxine blushed. “Your aunt was an eclectic-loving woman, you know.”
“I just hope the crowd is okay with that.”
“Oh, trust me. They’ll love it. It’s a mixed audience, you know. A lot of young folks will be in attendance.”
“Okay.” Lucy just thought about something. “What are we going to wear? I haven’t been to any black-tie affairs in so long…” What she had meant to say was that she could not ever remember going to a black-tie affair.
“Don’t worry, girl. I’ve got it covered.”
“You do?”
“Yeah! We’re going shopping before the Bridal Show anyway. We’re going to Yorkdale Shopping Center.”
“I hope this is all in our budget, Maxine.” Lucy sighed deeply. She wanted to look good but she’d recently taken over her auntie’s business and right now finances were tight. Not to mention that impending lawsuit from one of their former bride clients.
“Here’s the invitation.” Maxine handed her a digitally-designed sheet of parchment paper.
Lucy paused.
Romero Realty Inc.
Cordially invites you and a guest to attend its annual Diamond Ball fundraiser to benefit the
Society for a Brighter Future: Helping Young People Succeed
Thursday, September 30th
6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
The Romero Estate - Banquet Hall
18550 Young Street
Black tie.
A night of dinner and dance.
Cocktails 6:00 pm
Dinner 6:30 pm
All proceeds will fund the Society for a Brighter Future: Helping Young People Succeed
If Lucy had been standing, she knew she would have probably collapsed. She felt weak in her limbs. Her mouth was as parched as a desert landscape. She was sure her jaw had dropped to the ground. It sure as hell felt like it. “Maxine, you didn’t tell me that the Romeros were hosting this thing.”
Lucy read over the heading of the invitation: Romero Realty Inc.
It could not be. How could it be? How had she missed this? Romero Realty hosted the annual Diamond Ball fundraiser? An event they were committed to attending but she had no idea about beforehand?
“But I thought you knew. I mean, everyone knows it’s the RR Diamond Ball fundraiser. Romero Realty.”
“I didn’t,” Lucy said quietly trying to swallow the hard lump surging in her throat. She thought she would choke any moment. This entire situation was getting to be more difficult than she imagined. No way could she attend now. And then what about Antonio I’s wishes? And Antonio III’s crazy demands that she end it for his grandfather?
“Girl, you look as if you’re turning blue. You okay? You need oxygen or something?”
Lucy let out a deep breath. She hadn’t realized she’d not inhaled.
As if things could not get any worse, Darla pinged her on the intercom.
“Yes, Darla?”
“Hi, Lucy. Antonio Romero is on the phone.”
Fear and anxiety knotted inside Lucy. A sense of inadequacy swept through her but it was too late. She couldn’t handle this. She should have never gotten into the business. There went her heart fluttering about in her chest again.
