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After a brief handshake, Mr. Forrester excuses himself to mingle with other guests. "I'll be right back, honey," he tells Rachael, leaving us with her.
Mrs. Forrester gives us a warm smile. "You both look absolutely lovely tonight. Happy holidays."
"Thank you, Rachael," I reply, feeling the festive spirit.
She then inquires about our project, especially about her oldest son. "I trust the interviews for The Bachelor series are going well? I'm sure Knox will be quite the topic of conversation."
Robyn, standing next to me, tenses slightly, but I try to keep the conversation light. "Knox has been great to work with. He might even have a special someone in mind."
Rachael's interest is piqued, her perfectly arched eyebrows lifting in curiosity. "Oh? Do tell, who might that be?"
I glance at Robyn, who looks a bit anxious, and decide to play it coy. "That’s for the article to reveal, Mrs. Forrester."
Just then, Knox and Reece join us, each impeccably dressed in high-end designer suits, looking every bit the part of dashing Forrester men. They greet their mother affectionately, and a photographer quickly snaps a picture, capturing the family moment.
After the photo, Rachael lightly admonishes them for their tardiness. "Boys, you're late. The party's been in full swing for over an hour."
Reece rolls his eyes subtly at her choice of words but remains respectful.
"There was business to attend to, Mom," Reece interjects, his voice carrying a hint of frustration.
Rachael looks at him with concern. "Is everything alright? Do you need to involve your father?"
"No, Mom, it's already handled. We would've involved Dad if necessary," Reece replies, trying to calm the situation. He glances at his mother's slightly hurt expression, aware that his words might have been sharper than intended. Rachael always had a way of pushing Reece more than she did with Knox or Talon.
Knox, sensing the tension, chimes in to lighten the mood. "You ladies look stunning tonight." His gaze lingers on Robyn, admiration clear in his eyes. Robyn blushes, caught under his attentive gaze.
"Thank you," Robyn manages to say, while Rachael observes the exchange with narrowed eyes as if piecing together a puzzle.
I also thank Knox, hoping to draw attention away from the budding romance. "Thank you, Knox. You're looking quite sharp yourself. It's nice to see you out of the office for a change," I add with a light laugh.
As I turn to Reece, I find his gaze already on me, intense and captivating. "Happy holidays, Reece," I say, trying to maintain my composure under his intense scrutiny.
"Happy holidays, Genesis. You look beautiful," he replies, his voice low and resonant, sending a shiver down my spine. It's a tone he shouldn't use, especially not in front of his mother.
Clearing my throat, I glance across the room and spot Talon engaged in a deep conversation with a strikingly beautiful woman, clad in an elegant holiday dress. Their interaction seems tense; Talon appears upset, and the woman looks utterly bewildered. I wonder if she's Kiri.
Turning back to the group, I mention to Robyn, "We were just about to head over to the carving stations. I'm absolutely famished—haven't eaten all day."
Rachael, ever the gracious hostess, encourages us. "Of course, don't let us hold you up. Please, enjoy the party. And don't forget about our New Year's Eve party at our home. It starts around 10:00 p.m.; you should come, Genesis. It'll be a great opportunity to meet the other candidates for The Bachelor series."
Catching Reece's eye, I notice a subtle twitch in his jaw, a sign of his displeasure. "I'll be there, Rachael. Thank you for the invitation," I respond.
Reece jumps in, addressing Robyn. "You should come as well. Since it seems New Year's Eve is doubling as a work event, we might as well all make an appearance."
Rachael, slightly annoyed, retorts, "Reece, it's a party, not a work event. I just thought it'd be nice for the ladies to meet everyone. Is there a problem with that?"
"No problem at all, Mother," Reece replies smoothly, then turns his attention to me. "Allow me to escort you to the carving stations."
Offering his arm, Reece's gaze meets mine, and I'm momentarily lost in the depth of his eyes. There's a warmth there, a hint of something more that tugs at me.
"Thank you, Reece, that would be lovely," I say, slipping my arm through his. His smile is genuine and infectious, and I find myself smiling back.
"We better get you something to eat then," he says, leading me away from the group, and for the moment, I forget all about the tensions of the evening, focusing instead on the comfort of his presence.
ChapterEleven
Reece
