AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Because I said,” is all that Nicholas replies.
“You are being that grumpy, boring boss man already. I hope that doesn’t continue all night long.” Flynn starts tapping his leg with his hand, and I realize he is just as nervous as Nicholas, he just won’t admit it.
“Flynn, surely you have worked out by now that he has done that for me. I’m a mess if I have too much to drink. I fall over, say things I shouldn’t, talk with a potty mouth like a drunken sailor, and that’s all before the third drink. Do you really want to hang out with me after I start drinking early?” Trying to take the attention off Nicholas is working, with everyone laughing at what I wish was a joke, but sadly, they all know is true.
“Fuck yes, I do. I’ll be buying you the first drink. It will be way more entertaining than the rest of the old farts in that room.” That he is always looking for a fun night is what I get from Flynn’s comments.
“You included?” Lou pipes up, and we all laugh harder.
“Oh, we’ll keep you.” Rem claps at Lou’s comment directed at Flynn. “Anyone who puts the clown over there in his place is welcome in this circus.”
“Why is everyone ganging up on me all of a sudden?” Flynn looks a little perplexed.
“Because we can. You make it so easy,” Forrest adds in just to make everyone laugh harder. Even Nicholas is starting to join in, although it’s not as relaxed a laugh as everyone else’s.
The car starts to slow as we pull up out front of The Savoy Hotel. My hand falls to Lou’s, and we hang onto each other for dear life. This is so far out of our league that I’m so glad I have her to help calm me. I know she is as anxious as I am, but if anyone will have my back and help me not make a fool of myself, it’s her. Nicholas has his own thoughts that will be racing but will be oblivious that for Lou and me, this is more than the drama that is circling him.
I have never felt so prim and proper but totally out of place in my life. I have walked past this hotel but never stepped foot inside it. It’s just not somewhere I belong. The grandness of the entrance and all the gold has my body starting to shake involuntarily.
“Breathe, we’ve got this. We are as good as any toffy-nosed bitches in there. And they’re all feeling the pain of these fucking uncomfortable shapewears too,” Lou whispers into my ear as the guys are all filing out of the car until there is only us two and Nicholas left.
It’s exactly what I need to take my mind off how out of my depth I feel.
“Thanks,” I tell her, giving her a hug before she slides out of the car—with Flynn’s help, of course.
The deep sigh I hear from Nicholas tells me it’s time to go.
As I start to move, he wraps his hand around my waist and pulls me tight against him.
“You don’t have to do this. Just say the word and we leave. I’m asking way too much of you.” The vulnerability in his voice tells me that he knows the moment we step out there, there is no going back. We will be the most talked about couple in tomorrow’s gossip columns like he warned me. But part of me is worried that maybe this is something he isn’t sure he wants either. He has been pushed along the merry-go-round since we met because so much has happened so quickly.
He wants me, I don’t doubt that.
But is he ready for this? To be all in with me, attached to someone who tests him more than he knows how to cope with? It scares him. His mother’s voice is in my head, reminding me that when he tries to run, I have to push back hard, and that’s what I intend to do.
“Are you embarrassed to have me as your date?” I ask, knowing exactly what I’m doing.
“No!”
And before he can say another word, I continue, “Right, then get out of this car. I didn’t spend three hours trying to look like this just to sit in here all night.” I take his hand and bring it to my lips, lightly kissing the top of it but not hard enough to smudge my lipstick or leave an imprint of my lips on his skin. “I’ve got you, and as long as you’ve got me, then we can do this.” I say it out loud, also trying to convince myself.
“You have no idea how amazing you are.” He leans down, kissing my neck as I feel him take a deep breath and absorb the strength he needs from me. I’m shivering all over. His words make me feel special, but I only wish I could believe what he is saying.
Sitting back up, I see his walls come up, and he is ready to handle whatever gets thrown his way tonight.
His stare into my eyes tells me all he can’t say in words. Then he steps out of the car, and I know it’s time.
I can do this, I repeat over and over again as I step out behind him. He helps me stand then immediately slides his hand into place on my lower back, claiming me so everyone around knows I’m his.
Trying to get my bearings as I stand up straight, I hope that every part of my outfit is still sitting the way it should. I look across at Lou who looks as petrified as I feel. Both of us put on a fake smile, and Nicholas moves us forward toward the doors, as there are a few photographers taking pictures. He must look like someone important with his entourage following behind him. If only the outside world knew the real people walking with us. They are some of the most genuine people I have met, and their wealth means nothing to them. It’s just part of what they are, but it does not define them. Otherwise, there’s no way I would be walking in on Nicholas’s arm tonight. I don’t do fake or pretentious, and he is neither of those.
There are a few people in front of us as we walk toward the ballroom doors. One of them is a woman who looks very much like the disco ball dress lady from the bar. Ugh, why didn’t I think about all the ex-flings that I will see here tonight? I was so focused on the whole drug allegations, his business associates, and trying to fit into this dress that my brain didn’t even get as far as that thought.
And by the look on her face as she spots us, it’s not going to be a fun encounter.
Standing at her side is the woman that Flynn took home with him that same night, and they both look like they want to take daggers to Lou and me and make us disappear. Here Nicholas was talking about fighting off all the men tonight, but it will more likely be me fighting off the women.
If they have had sex with my man before, firstly I want to stab them too, but I understand why they want to come back for more.
