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“Is that a problem?”
There was no way I could refuse. He would know something was wrong. Though Elizabeth and I were nottogether, I knew it was going to be an issue. I would’ve been bothered if I saw her with another man. I didn’t want to ruin her party.Merda.
6
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
The doorman opened the entrance of the tutor mansion-style, member’s only country club. It had been so long since I’d stepped foot in here. Six years, five months, and four days, to be exact. Every Sunday, The Whitman family, my fiancée, and I would always have the upscale Sunday lunch buffet after Mass. It was tradition, and the perfect prime rib roast and baked Alaska dessert were to die for. It was also the place James, our friends, and I played golf. And in the summer, we would lounge by the pool with our women, sipping cocktails while all the kids splashed with their friends in the water.
Suddenly, the whole idea of being here felt wrong. I glanced down at the perfectly wrapped present Marissa had gift-wrapped for me. I was great at a lot of things but creasing paper and taping it in the shape of a box was not one of them. Taking a deep breath, I glimpsed at a nearby mirror, assuring my suit was still crisp and my tie was straight. Two of my men waited for me outside in the parking lot so as not to alarm anyone here.
“Are you here for the Whitman’s party?” I pivoted around to see a grinning, slender brunette in solid white business attire. Her smile soon faded. “Mr. Falzone.”
“Yes.”
“Sorry, I didn’t know it was you. I would have been more—” Clearing her throat, she corrected her outfit, then waved toward another direction. “They’re in the Kingsley Dining Room.”
I offered a single nod. Exchanges with anyone who knew me had been warm and welcoming, or uncomfortable. The news outlets announced when I went to prison and my entire trial was televised. They did not, however, alert the public when I was released. Needless to say, I’d seen a lot of shocked faces recently. Some were happy to see me, others were unsure if I was innocent.
I entered the open French doors into the elegantly decorated party. Pearly rose gold, lavender, and cream balloons with matching flowers were arranged throughout the large dining room. Wisteria weaved through the traditional crystal chandeliers and over the dance floor, while LED fireflies floated near the ceiling. The space was packed with at least three hundred people, if not more.
I glanced down at the gift once again as I sauntered to the lengthy present table just inside the door. A smiling woman stood by, reaching her hand out as I approached. Tucking it closer to my side, I scanned the display. It was much larger than I thought. Hundreds of gifts piled both on and beneath, waiting to be opened.
“I can take that for you,” the woman reassured me.
“I got it.” I didn’t want it to get lost among all the others. Darting my eyes around, I made my way through the crowd, trying to ignore guests staring at me a little too long.
“There he is.” Alicia screeched as she and a stranger emerged in front of me, arms hooked together. She initiated a quick side hug, then beamed at her friend. “Vinnyyy, this is Tabitha.”
Tabitha was an attractive woman to most, I’m sure. Her long, wavy blonde hair was pulled back on one side with diamond barrettes. Her freshly botoxed, bordeaux lips matched her floor-length evening gown; a gold clutch closely tucked under her arm as she extended her hand toward me.
Reciprocating, I shook her hand, trying my best to remain polite, though nothing in me wanted to have a date for this event. “Nice to meet you.”Though you should maybe sue your plastic surgeon.
“I’ve heard so much about you.” She smiled, showing off her excessively white veneers. Something I had never been a fan of. Pushing her fake breasts out, she lowered her gaze, trying her best to draw attention to her chest.
“Well,” Alicia chirped, “I’ll leave you two to get to know one another.”
“I was hoping to give this to Eliza.” I held out the box. “Where is she?”
“Oh, honey,” she giggled, “there’s a table ove—”
“I wanted to give it to her myself.”
“You’re so sweet!” She put her wide grin to the rim of a wine glass and took a gulp while winking at her friend. “I told you he’s so dazzling and breathtaking.”
“I agree.” Tabitha arched a brow at me as much as her recent injections would allow.
I tolerated Alicia because my best friend loved her. Being nice to her was only for the sake of respecting him. She was good to me, but I often wondered if it was out of fear or something more sinister. She’d always been flirty as far back as I could remember. Not only with me, but with every man she found attractive. I know James noticed, but he ignored it from what I could tell.
“I’ll leave you two to get to know one another.” She glanced over her shoulder. “I have to go find James, anyway.”
The moment she scurried away, vanishing into the crowd, Tabitha moved a step closer. She pressed her fake breasts to my arm, but I was scanning the room for Elizabeth.
“What did you get her?”
I snapped my gaze to hers. “What? Oh. Just a little something I hope she’ll like.”
She cackled, resting her palm on my bicep, offering it a slight squeeze. “Isn’t that the point of gifts? To give someone exactly what they want?”
