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We’re not far from the gala, which is being held at a botanical garden just outside the downtown city area. We’re going to arrive about fifteen minutes late, which is exactly what we planned. I need to make an entrance, and I really want to see the look on Truett’s face when I walk in with Sage on my arm.
My mother’s reaction…I’m less excited about.
I wish I could clue her in on everything, but there’s no way to do that without her getting hurt. I just know that seeing me act out is going to disappoint her, and I literally lose sleep every night thinking about it. My mother didn’t do anything wrong. She doesn’t deserve to be lied to.
I knew I should have canceled this.
Sage is typing away on her phone when my eyes cascade over to her. Her leg is exposed all the way up to her hip, and I shift in my seat again at the mere thought of those pretty little thighs of hers wrapped around my waist. She’s so tiny I bet I could fuck her up against a wall, holding her in place with nothing but my cock.
I mean, obviously not, but I love the idea.
I can’t seem to help how lewd my thoughts get when I’m around her, and I’d be more proud of all the gross and filthy things I’d like to do to her if I wasn’t so worried about myself at the same time. This isn’t like me.
“Nervous?” she asks, and my eyes dash to her face.
“No,” I lie. The truth is, I’m nervous as hell. There’s a good chance we’ll walk in and my father will have us escorted right out. Then all of this would be for nothing. At that point, we’ll have to move right on to phase two of the plan, which I’m equally nervous about.
“So, we go in. Listen to some rich people speak about something. Eat our dinner. Dance. And leave.” Sage has run through this plan so many times I’m starting to wonder if she’s the one who’s nervous.
“What are you so worried about? You have the easy part tonight. Brett won’t be there.”
“The easy part?” she asks, leveling me with a tense stare. “I have to walk into a giant roomful of people dressed likethis.”
I nearly slam on the brakes as a feeling of guilt washes over me. “This was your idea. You’re not comfortable with it?”
“I’m comfortable with it,” she argues. “I’m just…nervous.”
I swallow down my rising shame as I let out a deep breath. “Well, if it’s any consolation,” I say, glancing over at her, “you’ll be the most beautiful woman there, by far.”
Her gaze softens as her eyes linger on mine. “That’s very sweet of you.”
The closer we get to the event, the more my anxiety grows. This is so out of character for me I’m trying to disassociate from it entirely. I normally either come to these alone or with some nice churchgoing girl my mother sets up for me. So I just do my best to shed thegood boy Adampersona for one night. With her at my side, it doesn’t feel so unnatural.
I pull the Audi into the valet line and Sage wrings her hands together in her lap. “Ready or not,” she says.
Ready or not.
A moment later, our doors open simultaneously and we each step out into the warm Texas night air. Standing, I readjust my tux, pulling my tie from my neck before putting my arm out for her. She loops hers through mine and squeezes herself close to my body as we make our way to the entrance.
I can already feel people staring. Out here, it’s mostly just guests and the valet attendants, but as we approach the door, I start recognizing the members of my father’s team. His manager, publicist, event coordinator, assistants. Each of them beams at me and then turns their eyes toward Sage. That’s when their smiles fade.
They’re staring. And not in a good way.
It’s an alarmed sort of staring, and I feel my blood starting to boil. They’re silently judging her with their eyes. So I squeeze her tighter against me.
We step into the building as I softly mumble, “Here we go.”
“Where’s the bar?” she replies, and I find myself smiling as we enter the ballroom.
In any large event, it’s always easy to spot my father because of the enthralled people that typically surround him. Tonight is no different. There’s a crowd at the front of the room, and I can already hear his booming voice from here. Haughty laughter and a smug arrogance permeate the room like noxious gas.
“A drink is a good idea.” I pull Sage toward the bar on the left. We get in line, standing in awkward silence until we reach the front and I order myself a whiskey on the rocks and her a vodka martini. Just as we get our drinks, I spot my brother, Caleb, with his wife, Briar, each holding drinks and looking miserable on the edge of the room.
I study their expressions as their eyes settle on Sage at my side. Caleb appears instantly surprised and intrigued, unable to keep the confusion off his face. With his brows pinched together, he glances at me as if he’s trying to place where he knows me from.
Briar only stares at Sage for a moment before quickly looking away, never one for confrontation.
As we approach them, Sage stays close to my side. I put out my hand to greet my brother. He shakes it with a look of amusement. “What are you up to?” he mutters quietly, but I ignore his question.
