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“Lex, hold still, or I can’t get it in.”
Inside my hotel suite, my sister, Adriana, is fussing all over me. The bow tie she bought isn’t cooperating, and as usual, it’s the biggest emergency ever. My attempt to cancel was foiled by Adriana giving me a list of clients who will be attending and therefore dubbed the event as a huge business opportunity.
I loathe these damn events.
They are just a parade of people showing off who has the biggest checkbook. Fair enough, it’s for charity, but these leaches donate so their businesses will be all over the media. I’d have happily donated the money and not attend, but when you’re related to Adriana Edwards there’s no such luxury.
“Okay, done.” She stands back, admiring her work. “You scrub up well, big brother. Thanks to me.”
“If it weren’t for the suit, I’d have no hope in hell with the ladies.” I smirk, but quickly, my expression turns serious. “Listen, Adriana, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
“Is it an apology for how you hurt my feelings and left the restaurant in a huff?”
“Uh, no… but I am sorry. Look… you know that wedding bullshit is too much for me.”
“Not to anger the beast again, what is it you want to talk to me about?”
I have been putting it off ever since it happened, but now is the time to bring it up. My head is still a mess, and only Adriana knows the whole story. If anyone can make me understand what the hell is going on it’s my sister, Charlotte’s former best friend.
“What is it?” she repeats, distracted as she fixes herself in the mirror. It’s a beautiful navy gown, Valentino, I remember her saying. Like I give a shit, but she still looks good in it.
“I saw Charlotte.”
She stops adjusting her dress, her eyes meeting mine in the mirror before she abruptly turns around. “Where and when?” Her voice is anxious. I know what Charlotte meant to Adriana. Their friendship was a big part of her life that I screwed up for her. Another person caught up in the shitstorm I had created.
“I had a lunch meeting the other day. She was there at the restaurant with a guy.” I clench on my words, desperately thinking of ways to get rid of him.
“Oh my God, Lex. Seriously? Out of all places, here? Did you speak to her?”
“Yes, I did,” I croak, still feeling the sting from her words. “She was angry. I wasn’t expecting her to be after all these years. I wanted a chance to explain, but she said not to bother, it was just a high school fling.”
“But, Lex, it wasn’t just a high school fling…” Adriana trails off, lowering her gaze. “So, you didn’t get a chance to explain to her what happened with Samantha and the baby?”
“No, I didn’t. She was quick to run off to her… fiancé.” I grit my teeth almost spitting out the words.
“Fiancé? How do you know?” I can hear the hope in her voice. Adriana, ever the optimist. “Maybe it was just a friend?”
“The huge ring on her finger was a dead giveaway. I asked, and she angrily answered that he was her fiancé.”
“Lex, why did you do that?” Adriana raises her hands in frustration. “You know if she’s anything like me, you probably pushed her closer to him.”
“Oh gee, thanks, sis. What a wonderful thought to have in my head.”
Pacing the area in front of us, I rub my hands over my face, regretting my actions once again. Did I really do that? Push her further toward him? They’re engaged for Christ’s sake! How much further can I push her? Fuck, this spiral of thoughts is making it all worse. I sit on the couch, bowing my head as I run my fingers through my hair.
“How did she look?”
Staring at the carpet, I try to calm down. My gaze moves upward until my eyes meet Adriana’s. “Beautiful.”
Our conversation is interrupted as Elijah, Adriana’s fiancé, walks in the room followed by an attractive blonde woman.
“Brooke, please meet my brother-in-law, Lex,” he introduces, forcing me to stand. “Lex, this is Brooke.”
She’s beautiful, short blonde hair, blue eyes—I’m not interested.
There’s only one woman I want now, but I act like the gentleman my mother raised me to be.
Leaning in, I kiss Brooke’s cheek with a welcoming smile. After a quick chat, it’s time to head out. I linger behind her as my sister quickly pulls me aside.
