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“I would; however, Ollie is giving me a pleading look. I’ll make sure everything’s okay and join you in a moment.” He places a kiss on my forehead.
“You better.” I meander toward their table, passing a few of the guests and making sure everyone looks happy.
Tonight, for the first time in my life, I don’t feel like a complete fraud amid all of these people. My boyfriend, my clothes, and my words are all my own. Second-guessing my every single move isn’t suffocating me anymore.
It’s freeing.
Sure, I’ve caught myself mirroring a smile or laughing at something that isn’t particularly funny, habits I’ve been trapped in my whole life. Except now I’m aware of them.
I reach my cousins, and Dave pulls me into a hug. I laugh at the unusual gesture. “Molly!”
“Someone’s happy,” Larson slurs, the stench of whisky heavy on his breath.
“Enjoying the drinks?” I eye their almost empty tumblers.
“We’re going to need to stock this at every On Cloud Nine resort,” Dave says approvingly, showing off his glass of the burnt umber liquid. I should ask Ollie for a case for The Griffin.
“Has your father told you about the new line of resorts we’re opening along the Gold Coast?” Larson asks casually.
Did the Bradburys agree to invest without Lance and I getting married? Or did my dad find a new investor? I’ve been so distant from my family lately that I cannot answer his question.
“He mentioned it. I thought he was waiting for the funding to come in before finalizing the build plans.” I try to gauge how much they know.
“Ray just told us about a new investor this morning. Some Aussie.” Dave shrugs.
Someone new? I must be off the hook from marrying Lance for good.
Elation pours over me. If what they’re saying is true, my parents may actually approve my marriage. It would’ve been nice for anyone to tell me the news and not string Matthew and me along all night. But it doesn’t matter.
I’m going to get everything I want without sacrifice.
“We’ll be flying out there next year.” Larson raises his glass to Dave, and they cheers. “Maybe you can join us.”
“I’ll try, but I’m likely going to be busy working on my own project.”
The Griffin, here I come.
A new surge of confidence soars through me. My mother may have kept me out of the resort business, but I’ll make my family see that I was always supposed to be in hospitality. Just like them.
Perhaps after everything goes well today, I can show my father the ideas I’ve been working on for the Tarrytown property. We could even find a way for my business to become a subsidiary of the On Cloud Nine resorts.
Is something like that even possible?
“Tell us more,” the wives coo. I barely know my cousins’ spouses, yet they all seem happy in their arranged marriages. Matthew and I will be able to make the best of this situation.
“You’ll have to wait to find out. Now, I need to talk to my parents, but I’m so happy for both of you.”
“We’ll see you from the stage at the announcement later tonight.”
I nod my head and stalk off. Let’s get this over with. I circle around the crowd, looking for my mother’s copper hair. Nowhere to be found.
Maybe they’re in one of the suites, or even the downstairs foyer? I turn down a hall, and my breath hitches.
Lance strolls toward me. His dirty-blond hair is combed over, and a navy bow tie sits at his neck. His cologne is pungent, even from several steps away.
Can I run in the other direction?No. I don’t hide anymore. He’s the one who needs to leave.
“Molly,” he calls out.
