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All morning I’ve been thinking about last night. An image of Penny lying on the bed, her legs spread wide, comes to mind. “It was enjoyable.” I smile internally at the memory. “How was yours?”
“Fine. Although Stephano talked for hours in the bar, we headed to bed about four o’clock this morning.”
At first, I avoided Daphne’s eyes, afraid of what I might see or feel. Ironically, Penny is the one who has helped me through this weekend. The very person Daphne criticized about my proposal setup.
Penny wasn’t to blame. I was. And Daphne knows it too, which is fair. But the ugly words she spat at me at the time about the novice setting stayed with me. She didn’t watch Penny on the beach like I did, considering every detail to make the experience memorable for another couple. While the beach scene didn’t drizzle money, it did have a romantic element with privacy, which is what attracted me to watch Penny work, all to make someone else happy.
I take a long look at Daphne. My brain expects me to weaken after being so anxious in the bar last night. Instead, I notice her bloodshot eyes—an assessment void of emotion. Daphne is not a fan of late nights. She is a workaholic like me and demands her beauty sleep as we both used to start work at the crack of dawn.
I want to say the bar offered us something different since it’s where Penny decided to make me smile.
What were the chances I would see Penny again after my disastrous proposal? To be honest, I would have said none. But last night, it took me a few minutes to recognize her again, but I have never forgotten her beautiful, innocent face. That day on the beach intrigued me, and last night, my curiosity shifted to thinking aboutherhappiness.
Instead, I say, “Perhaps you could take a power nap after lunch?”
“You might need a power nap yourself?” She eyes me suspiciously. “Did I see a woman leave your room early this morning?”
If only she knew the truth.
It’s ironic, really.
I lean in close to her diamond-studded ear. “If someone did leave my room, it’s no longer your concern.”
Her face drops. “I regret it every day.”
I take a step back. “Don’t do this. Not here.”
“When? I need to talk to you,” she pleads.
I shake my head. Not today when tension is high with the wedding and work. I’ve been checking notifications every freaking minute, waiting for an email from my assistant, who is expecting a call so we can get the ball rolling for my father to take ownership of the basketball team.
I scan the room, hoping Noah will appear when my gaze meets Penny.Fuck! That woman steals my breath away.She sees who I’m talking to and turns away before moving through the crowd until I no longer see her. I don’t usually care about a woman I was with for one night, but I do care about Penny for some reason.
Lowering my voice, I say, “You did the right thing ending us. We were too focused on our careers.”My father was right. “I’m not the right person for you, Daph.” Needing space, I walk toward the bar without looking back at Daphne’s expression.
I check my watch for the time.
Is midday too early to drink?
After the bartender pours a whiskey on ice, I swirl the gold liquid before taking the first mouthful.
“Ready?” Noah’s hand lands on my shoulder.
I turn to him, dressed in a navy tux with a gold bow tie. “You scrub up well.”
He hits my shoulder several times. “Let’s do this.”
I down the drink and shake my head with the burn at the back of my throat.
The staff scurries past, carrying an arch covered with flowers, and positions it at the front of the room.
Tap. Tap. Tap. The microphone is tested.
Plastic chairs are carried out, stacked in threes, and pulled apart. About fifty chairs are lined and divided by an aisle. The crowd is buzzing, and a few whispers have struck up as some guests begin to guess what this party is really for.
“Ladies and gentlemen…” A woman in black trousers, red shirt, and matching suit jacket holds the microphone. “Please join us in celebrating the love between Noah and Olivia.”
A hum of excited chatter rises above the crowd.
