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My mother mimics my confused look and then rolls her eyes in exasperation. “He didn’t fall in love with just anyone. He didn’t invite you so just anyone would show up. He asked you. You should go.”
The truth about my father coming out, seems to have liberated my mother. She’s not a whole new person, but she’s definitely a whole new kind of parent.
“Okay, I’ll change,” I say, and she starts tugging my zipper down and follows me to the closet.
Ten minutes later, with both their stamps of approval, I’m on my way.
“Mom,” Eva calls after me, as I hustle down the stairs. I look up and our eyes meet. “Be happy.” She grins and gives me a thumbs up.
With those words beneath my wings, I go get my man.
Scarlet
Stone
“Holy Mother of God, you do not deserve all of that.” Dare nudges me. I look up from the email I’m drafting under the cover of the tablecloth.
“Huh?” He’s staring, with rapt attention across the room. Bewildered, I glance at Beau, and find his attention focused in the same direction. In fact, everyone at our table is looking at something and whatever it is, it’s making Hayes’ jaw clench furiously.
I follow their gaze and then, I understand.
It’s Regan. The man she’s speaking with points in my direction and she looks up sharply. The distress on her face vanishes and is instantly replaced with a smile that speaks of complete satisfaction. When she steps onto the crowded dance floor, a path clears for her.
She’s stunning and the meaning of what she’s wearing isn’t lost on me for a single second. Her dress is a scarlet satin with a neckline that plunges to her navel where it knots in a bow before falling all the way to the floor in a curve hugging sea of fabric that shimmers with every step she takes.
Her hair is pin straight and is scraped back and caught into one long ponytail that I know is going to wrap nice around my fist later.
Her heart-shaped mouth is painted the same siren red as her dress and the smile that lifts the corners of it grows wider with every step she takes.
As she passes them, I notice people’s eyes moving to, and lingering on, her back.
Her gaze is locked on me. Her eyes alight with an emotion that no one can misread. She is the tip of Cupid’s arrow moving toward her target. I stand, wanting to make sure it’s my heart she pierces.
When she texted to say she couldn’t come because of Eva, I’d understood. Yet, disappointed didn’t begin to describe how I felt.
But here she is, walking toward me, looking for all the world like a woman in love. I start toward her but Hayes’ hand on my shoulder stops me. I turn toward him, braced for whatever he’s about to say. Even though he did everything I asked of him, he and Regan haven’t had a détente yet.
“Give me a chance,” he says when he sees my wary, impatient expression.
“Hurry,” I bite out.
“I’m sorry I stood in your way and asked you to give up, what is evident from that smile on her face. You’re the smartest, hardest-working man I know, Stone. And if you get any shit for this. I’ll help you. Just--"
“Glad you see the light, brother,” I cut him off. “But can you save it for later?”
He grins and I turn around just in time to take two steps and close the gap between us. I reach for her, wrap my arms around her waist, and her arms slide up my neck. I encounter bare skin when I lay my hands on the small of her back. No wonder everyone is staring. Her tattoo is on display.
“Hi,” I whisper and lean down to drop a kiss on her mouth. She presses her body into mine and I growl into her mouth. But I break our kiss.
“Surprise.” She gazes at me.
“Indeed. Come on, let’s sit.” I take her hands and we walk back to the table I’m sharing with my brother, my advisor and his family. We make introductions and I can’t stifle my chuckle at the look of surprise on Regan’s face when Hayes stands to pull out her chair. Hayes has always been great at pivoting. But this has got to be a record. Maybe fatherhood has mellowed him out, or maybe he really can see how much I love her, but either way, I’m glad.
She joins us at the table, and I introduce her to everyone she doesn’t know. Confidence squeals and jumps up to wrap her arms around her neck, Regan laughs out loud and hugs her back.
It’s an amazing evening. She shines brighter than anyone else in the room. We dance all night, except for the one that Hayes cut in for. Dancing is also something he never does. They didn’t hug when they were done, but they were both smiling when they came back to the table.
On our way out, we stop to use the Photo Booth and we create our infamous pose - the kiss, my hands palming her luscious little ass, my mouth devouring hers. The Jezebel tattoo is clear as day and this time, we make sure that my face is, too.
