Haley was even younger looking in person than in her pictures. She introduced me to her sister, Sid.
Lazer took me in hand and made the rounds of the guests, introducing me to everyone, including Justin, who was also quite young, and Kayla, and many of the staff from Flashionista. I shouldn't have been worried. They were all friendly and seemed like regular people.
Eventually we made our way to the lower deck. We were soon parading around Lake Washington in the middle of a Christmas ship flotilla.
Riggins had equipped his yacht with a powerful, clear sound system and mics, and a top-of-the-line karaoke system. Lazer had warned me that Riggins and Jus loved to sing.
Riggins had also amply stocked the booze for this cruise. Every guest had a steaming-hot cocktail. I took a hot buttered rum, hoping it would give me courage to sing.
The lead ship in this parade was a local dinner cruise ship equipped with a sound system and a professional choir who belted out traditional, choir-ish music at every stop and in between. They sang song after song as we caroled to the houses along the shore of Lake Washington and then a park full of spectators.
Lazer pointed out the clam lights to me—wire frames made in the shape of clams with legs. They were programmed to look like the clams ran along shore.
"Clam lights are classic. Mom and Dad took us to see them every year when I was a kid. Then we'd toast peppermint marshmallows that Mom had made in that outdoor fireplace in the gazebo." He pointed it out. There was a crowd of people around it. "And we'd make peppermint s'mores." He laughed. "It was usually raining. Sometimes snowing. We'd watch the ship parade from shore."
"How far you've come." I shivered in the breeze coming off the water. "You don't talk about your family much."
Lazer moved closer to me. "You're cold. I'll ask Riggins to turn the heaters up—"
"No, I'm fine." I shook my head.
Lazer was already shrugging out of his coat. "Take this." He put it around my shoulders before I could protest. Not that I would have protested too hard. It was warm and smelled like him. I wished…well, I wished for a lot of things I couldn't have. Yet.
"Is your family a forbidden topic?" Maybe I shouldn't have pushed, but I couldn't help myself.
"It's just a normal middle-class family," he said. "I had a happy, boring childhood." He paused. "Dad passed away when I was in college. A sudden, massive heart attack. My brother works for a multinational corporation and moves all over the world for the job. He currently lives abroad. Mom remarried a couple of years ago. Now it's her, the stepdad, and me most holidays." He paused. "But damn, I do have a lot of happy Christmas memories. Tradition!" He sounded faraway and sentimental.
I wanted so badly to hug him.
"You don't appreciate them until things change." He moved closer to me until our arms brushed. He had to be cold.
But I couldn't put my arms around him.
"How about you? What's your favorite holiday memory?" He stopped short, as if he'd suddenly evoked the spirit of my late husband. "From childhood."
Someday, if things ever developed between us like I hoped, we'd have to talk about Ruck. For now, I smiled at him. "Times Square on New Year's Eve. One of Dad's brothers has lived in the city forever. Every year we visited him and my aunt and went to see the ball drop in Times Square." It was my turn to get dreamy. "I…"
"What?"
I shook my head. "It's nothing. Just a silly, girlish fantasy I used to have when I was young."
"What? Come on." He touched my shoulder. "You can tell me."
I smiled softly. "It's really silly. But it's one of my earliest memories. My parents always kissed as the ball dropped. I thought that was crazy romantic. I suppose that's where I got this fantasy about being kissed by my true love on New Year's Eve as the ball dropped."
I bit my lip. This was so embarrassing. "It's my version of being awakened from a sleep by a prince's kiss, I guess. I must have first dreamed of this when I was no more than five or six. Way too young to really know what I was wishing for."
I laughed at myself. "I always thought Ruck would kiss me there." I shouldn't have mentioned him. Bringing up the ex was against my rules. "But we never got the chance."
"I'm sorry." Lazer touched my shoulder. The look in his eyes was amazingly tender and sympathetic. "I hope it happens for you. This kiss in Times Square."
I shrugged. "Look at all the boats in our parade. They're pretty fantastic."
The boats in the flotilla spanned the range from just a step up from rowboat to the large cruise ship, but from smallest to largest, they were all elaborately decorated.
Riggins had spared no expense for his decorations. Every line of his yacht was trimmed with lights programmed to put on a light show timed to music. A large wire-frame tree with a sparkling star on top was in the middle of the lower deck.
The night was misty. A fog hung in patches on the water, making the night mysterious and my hair frizz. But the damp weather didn't dampen the holiday spirit.
Sound carried so well at night across the water that we almost didn't need our speakers. The carols swept across to the people onshore. Everyone was in a merry mood, laughing and shouting between boats. Waving. Singing.
Justin and Riggins sang loudly and well. Lazer's voice wasn't as good or as trained. But it was my favorite. He leaned down and whispered, "I don't hear you singing."
"I am," I said. "Very softly."
"That's cheating," he said with a twinkle in his eye.
"I promised to sing. I never promised to sing loudly or even loud enough for others to hear."
We motored around the lake in dark mode, following the lead ship, lights off except for Christmas lights. When our tour of the lake was over, Riggins pulled up in front of his lakefront mansion and dropped anchor offshore away from the dock.
He turned to Jus. "Let's give my neighbors a show, people."
Lazer whispered to me. "Here we go with tradition. Riggins does this every year. Play along."
"Who are we serenading?" Lazer yelled. "There's no one out." He whispered to me, "Someone has to ask."
Riggins shook his head. "If we sing, they will come." He laughed. "'Jingle Bells,' everyone. Jack, hit the speakers and the music."
He handed Justin a mic. "Justin and I will lead. On three! One, two, three!"
We broke into a rowdy, jazzy version, accompanied by the karaoke music.
Riggins kept singing and turning up the volume until, one by one, neighbor after neighbor appeared. They applauded and raised their glasses to us from shore. Justin and Riggins were high on the thrill of performing, and hammed it up.
"Okay, that's it, people. Show's over!" Riggins finally said. "Merry Christmas! Happy holidays! Thanks for coming. We appreciate your support!" He saluted the crowd. "Hit the lights! Let's get this party started."
The appetizers and booze started flowing. Riggins fired up the karaoke.
Lazer congratulated Riggins. "That was an even better performance by you and Justin than last year."
Riggins laughed. "You say that every year. Has Ashley seen the yacht?"
I shook my head.
Riggins slapped Lazer on the back. "Give her the tour, man."
"If I do, you know I'm going to want a peek at my godson. Am I going to give the nanny a scare if I stop by?"
Riggins grinned with pride. "Nanny will be expecting you. Just don't get the baby worked up. I'm already paying nanny extra."
As Lazer led me up the stairs to the upper deck, he pointed above our heads. A ball of mistletoe hung above us.
Afraid of what might happen if I really kissed him, and who might see, I pecked him on the cheek.
"Nice try," he said. "Riggins has mistletoe hung all over the yacht."
I laughed. "Is that a threat?"
"Maybe." His voice was low and sexy. "At The Nutcracker, Danika accused me of chasing you around the holiday season with a sprig of mistletoe."
"Smart woman." I held his gaze. "Well, are you?"
>
His answering grin made my toes curl. "I know the rules."
He drove me home after the party. When he pulled up to the entrance to the apartments, he pulled a bouquet out of the back seat. "I like to cheat. Maybe I am chasing you around with mistletoe. Not with a sprig. With a whole damn bouquet."
It was beautiful—red roses and mistletoe. I looked him in the eye.
"The women will see—"
"I was hoping for an invitation to use your private entrance."
My pulse roared in my ears. My heart leaped for him. I wanted him. I was mad with lust for him.
His eyes were filled with a returning lust for me. His hand slid up my leg beneath my skirt.
I'd made so many mistakes in this relationship. I had him nearly where I wanted him. If I screwed up now…
I took the bouquet. "It's lovely. Thank you." I kissed him on the cheek. "Maybe next year." I slid out of the car before he could stop me, hoping my own advice and rules were as good as I believed they were.
Chapter 14
Lazer
Ashley and Danika went home to New York for Christmas on the twenty-third. I dutifully spent Christmas Eve with Mom and Rob. And found myself at odds the week between Christmas and New Year's. Too much time to think.
Ashley was right—the thought of spending New Year's Eve alone was enough to drive anyone mad. I always had a date. Never had a problem getting one. Could have still gotten one.
The difference now was Ashley. The problem was Pair Us. If I went out on a date I wasn't matched with, our female clients cried foul. If I took someone besides Danika out, rumors would fly that we'd split. I wasn't ready to blow my cover. Or was I?
I wasn't sure what I wanted long term. Whether Ashley realized it or not, I'd been platonically dating her for months now, according to plan. Publicly dating, even if we tended to call it business. I wanted more. Things had to come to a head. She was driving me mad.
I'd tried everything. I wanted to hang out with her any time, all the time. I wanted her in my bed. On a regular basis. And was willing to do just about anything to get her there.
It hit me, as great inspiration often does, in the shower—Times Square on New Year's Eve. A kiss to remember. A fantasy made true. She'd be there. In a fucking crowd.
I frowned. How would I find her?
The app. I could trick her into downloading a test version of the app without the security feature enabled, and it would lead me right to her.
I would surprise her. And kiss her as the ball dropped. Neither of us had to be alone on New Year's Eve.
Ashley
I knew about missing a man. In the worst way possible. I knew heartbreak and loneliness. I knew aching with an impossible want. And now I knew it double. I missed two men. Had an ache one couldn't cure and the other wouldn't.
I stood in the middle of Times Square in the crush of a crowd on New Year's Eve, just like every year. Surrounded by friends. Dreaming of a love that seemed like it would never be.
I'd had a wonderful Christmas. A fun, and busy, week between. I'd reconnected with some of my Manhattan clients, some who were now happily settled former clients. I'd awkwardly bumped into Elizabeth. In a city this large, why did I have to run into her?
I'd talked to Lazer nearly every day. I'd pimped Pair Us everywhere I went. Our app had taken off in Seattle. The citywide beta was a success. Clients were streaming in. The national media was picking up the news of the beta. Peter had found jobs for over half of my Manhattan women, those who'd decided to stay.
As the year ended, I reflected on all that and considered all my blessings. I was rich in them. And lonely. And full of resolutions.
Now that my heart was awake, I was sure of one thing—next year I didn't want to be alone on New Year's. I wanted a husband. A family. I wasn't getting any younger. If I wasn't with Lazer, I'd find someone else. The thought broke my heart. If he couldn't see that I was in love with him, if that didn't matter and he refused to even consider a life with me, or anyone, then I was out.
I smiled at my friends, all coupled up. I was the odd woman out. For the last time.
Lazer
I had a suite in a hotel in Times Square. I spent the day in the city, planning my surprise for Ashley, eager beyond belief. I watched the crowd from my room, looking for her. Which was crazy. The odds of finding her in the crowd were miniscule.
As midnight approached, I checked the app and found her. Since she was the only one in the city with the modified app, I knew the single woman it was indicating was her.
I pushed my way through the crowd toward her. The timing had to be perfect. Seconds before midnight, I'd call her. Just as the ball dropped, I'd appear beside her and pull her into the kiss we'd both been dreaming of. Here in New York, in a crowd the size of the one outside, who would see us?
Ashley
My phone rang. I pulled it out of my pocket, hoping Lazer would call. Futilely hoping…
I looked at the screen and frowned. "Danika? What's up? Happy New Year?"
"Not quite." She sounded worried and upset.
"What's wrong?" It had to be dire if she was calling me seconds before midnight. All kinds of horror scenarios ran through my mind.
"I'm hanging out with some of my journalist friends ringing in the New Year and had to call you and warn you. The buzz is that the evening entertainment shows are planning to run a story tomorrow about how Pair Us is a scam—"
"What?" I couldn't hear her. Something about Pair Us and a scam. I plugged one ear with my finger. "Say that again? I'm in a crowd."
She started talking. I still couldn't hear.
"Hang on." I started working my way to the edge of the crowd, a nearly impossible task.
Lazer
Ashley was moving. Quickly. Away from the center of the square.
I cursed. The countdown began. I was running out of time. I grabbed my phone and dialed her. She didn't answer. It rang and rang. Pick up. Pick up!
Ashley
The ball was about to drop. I glanced back at it ruefully. But what did it matter? I had no one to kiss. I'd already made my resolutions. I dodged into the lobby of a hotel. My phone beeped, annoyingly. I had another call coming in. I ignored it. "All right. What were you saying?"
"I hate to ruin New Year's. But we have a problem," Danika said. "The entertainment shows are going to run a story tomorrow about Pair Us being a scam. About how you and Lazer have been dating all along. That it's BS that he was ever in the dating pool. That he was just bait."
"That's ridiculous," I said, stunned.
The persistent caller wouldn't hang up.
I was too annoyed to see who the idiot was who wouldn't leave a message. It was clear I was on another call and didn't want the interruption. "How? Who? Why?"
"That's all moot now," Danika said. "The question is—how do we stop it?"
Lazer
She didn't pick up.
"Three. Two." The crowd counted as one, worked up to a frenzy as they rang the new year in. "One! Happy New Year!"
The ball dropped. It was the New Year. I stood alone in the crowd, surrounded by people, heart in my hand. Surprise ruined. Hopes dashed.
"Fuck." I hung up.
Ashley
I hung up with Danika, stunned and angry. I needed to talk to Lazer. We had to decide what to do. This wasn't the way I wanted to wish him happy New Year.
I looked at my phone. I'd missed a call from him. I smiled softly. He was the idiot. Well, he was, wasn't he? If he couldn't see…
He was probably calling to wish me happy New Year. Which made me ridiculously happy. And irritated with the timing. Under any other circumstance, I would have answered it. It was minutes after midnight here, but only nine in Seattle. Still last year there. Sweet of him to think of me.
I should have called him back. But I couldn't. Not with bad news. Tomorrow. I'd call him tomorrow. Instead, I texted him.
Happy New Year, New York time. Enjoy your last hours of the old year.
>
Lazer
She didn't call me back. She texted. I couldn't talk to her in the mood I was in. I replied to her text, went back to my hotel room, called my pilot to prepare for flight, and checked out.
Happy New Year, indeed.
I was in a black mood when I flew into Seattle in the early morning hours of New Year's Day. It was still dark when I arrived. A cold front had moved through. I jumped in my car and peeled out of the airport, driving faster than I should have. Screw it.
I turned the music up loud. I'd missed the opportunity of the year to surprise Ashley. I'd have to think of something else.
But what? There was always Valentine's Day. That was clichéd. Ashley had to have another fantasy…
The wee hours of the new year were as dark and cold as my mood. Which was a real feat. My heart was iced over with disappointment. A stark contrast to the way my anger burned white hot.
I stepped on the gas and took a familiar corner near home faster than normal. Why play by the rules? Why have a high-performance sports car if you couldn't push the limits—
The car went into a sideways skid. I corrected. Nothing. The car didn't respond. I slid sideways toward an embankment and stand of evergreens.
Black ice. Damn it! Black ice.
I had no traction. None.
I turned into the slide and slowly accelerated in an attempt to drive through. My expensive tires couldn't get traction. The car spun out of control. A thousand thoughts raced through my mind.
The trees rushed toward me. If I went over the embankment, I'd roll. The underbrush was heavy. There was a good chance no one would find me for hours. Or days.
I realized with calm fatalism that I wasn't driving my way out of this one. There was an instant where a tire made contact with the gravel at the edge of the road. The steering wheel responded. It was too little, too late.
I was airborne for a fraction of a second. Just long enough for a few last thoughts as the trees rushed up to greet me. Did I have any regrets? Just at impact, Ashley's face flashed before me.
Dating Lazer: The Billionaire Matchmaker, Part Four Page 14
