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He nods. “I’m not saying she is, but seriously, how does she not know he’s our biggest competitor? Have you not talked at all about our plans?”
I sigh as I put the phone down on the counter. Running my hand through my hair, I try to think back to our conversations. Problem is, every time Grace and I start to have a serious conversation, one or both of us gets carried away and I end up inside of her instead. I can’t say we’ve talked as much as we should have for how close we’ve become. Or at least not about my business.
I shake my head. “No. There is no way if I had told Grace about tonight that she would knowingly go with Hanson. No matter how much she felt she owed him. That’s not who she is.”
“So what are you going to do?”
I blow out a breath. “I don’t fucking know.”
Things go from bad to worse when Cat arrives. Just as I’m walking out of my room in my black tuxedo, yelling to Carter to help me with my bow tie, Cat walks off the elevator wearing a long black dress with Vanessa tailing her. My heart drops knowing my sister is up to something, and I don’t have time for this shit.
“I can help you,” Vanessa says walking up in her long red dress. It has a sweetheart neckline that dips dangerously low.
I hold up my hand before she can touch me or her scent can infiltrate my space. Everything about tonight is going off the rails, and the last thing I need is to smell like another woman.
Cat struts up to me and grabs my bow tie. “Stop acting like a weirdo and say hello to Vanessa.”
Vanessa smiles. “You look really nice, Cash.”
I’m being an asshole. It’s not Vanessa’s fault that my sister is overly involved in my life. “Thank you, Vanessa. You look beautiful. I take it you’re coming to the event tonight?”
She looks between Cat and me. “Well, Cat told me you wanted me to be your date.”
Cat looks away and I feel my jaw clench. Why does she do this? Why does she feel the need to butt into my life? What if Grace had been my date?
My irritation fires up, but I can’t even say anything because no one other than Carter knows about Grace, and unfortunately my girlfriend would like to keep it that way.
Fuck, this is going to be a bad night. Hanson and Grace. Me and Vanessa.
I force a smile onto my face. “Of course. It’s just a business thing, so it’s not really a date. I’m sorry if Cat gave you other ideas.”
Vanessa’s smile evens. “Oh, I’m used to business dinners, Cash. I get it. Don’t worry, I won’t go all PDA in front of other people.” She walks up and straightens the bow tie and says in a low voice, “But that doesn’t mean everything has to remain professional.”
At that exact moment, the elevator opens again, and Carter walks in with Tessa on his arm. I didn’t even know he’d left.
Why is Tessa here? What is with my siblings not telling me they are bringing people tonight?
Tessa’s smile falters when she spots Vanessa close to me, and the disappointment is clear in her glare. Carter looks equally appalled. I throw my head back in aggravation. “Thank you for fixing my tie, Vanessa. But like I said, tonight is just business. Enjoy your time with Cat.” I walk off, no longer feeling sorry for her. The only person I owe anything to is Grace, and since she isn’t here, business is my only concern.
In the kitchen, I fix myself another drink. Tessa doesn’t waste any time giving me a piece of her mind. “What the hell is she doing here?” she hisses, thumbing behind her toward Vanessa.
I offer her a glass before answering. She takes the drink, and I loosen the bow tie that Cat just tied. “I didn’t invite her if that’s what you’re getting at.”
“Does Grace know she’s here?” Her tone is as accusing as my own thoughts.
“Does Grace know that we are going to the same event?” I counter.
Tessa’s eyes scrunch in confusion. “What are you talking about? She’s going out with Jonathan as a favor because he had her back last week.”
She’s awfully defensive for someone who knows precisely how things went down last week. She knows everything I went through to get Grace out of the position she was in. She knows Grace made me keep my mouth shut. Although, if I’m honest, I didn’t fight her on it. I didn’t want to put my company at risk any more than Grace wanted me to. I was a coward, and now we’re all paying for it.
I blow out a breath. “The event she’s going to is the same one we are. I’ve been trying to call her, but she isn’t picking up. I’ve got to be honest; I’m not fucking happy right now.” I pull on the back of my neck trying to ease the tension, but it only makes it worse.
As if she doesn’t believe me, Tessa pulls out her phone and dials. I listen to the phone ring and ring until Grace’s voice comes over the voicemail. “Grace, it’s me, call me when you get this. As soon as you get this.” She looks at me as she hangs up. “This is a fucking disaster.”
I laugh bitterly. “You’re telling me. What am I supposed to do? I can’t out Grace. I can’t walk in with Vanessa on my arm, either. I have a business to worry about, Tessa.” I implore her to come up with an answer. To come up with anything to fix this.
Tessa’s red hair falls in layers over her face. It’s curled to the side, and she shakes it as she rolls her eyes. “Stop being so dramatic. It’s not ideal, but it’s one night. She’s with you. You guys are moving in together, for God’s sake, right?” She looks around the penthouse, and I see her appraising the throw pillows with a small smirk. “Or she’s already moved in, I see.”
