Avery cried on and off for hours. She finally stopped long enough to close down the DNA site before she powered off her Macbook. She curled up in a fetal position and remained in bed the rest of the day feeling sullen and lost.
When the nanny brought RJ in for his three o’clock feeding, she told her to get some of the stored breast milk to feed the crying baby. She didn’t want to be bothered, and the last thing she wanted to do was nurse. Not now. Her mind was still playing weird tricks on her and she needed time to soak in what the test revealed.
Somehow she had to move on with her life, just like she told God she would do. Now that she knew the truth, she would tell Carlton, or would she? Maybe she would let him remain in the dark. It would serve him right if she did. Yes, I think I just might let you stew in your own pot of soup for a while, Carlton Porter. It’ll serve you right for all you put me through.
Chapter 19
“Sometimes the best things in life are the things you never see coming.” Buffy Andrews
Peyton reserved a small private parking garage for all the guests with a limo service to transport them to her and Derek’s ten thousand square foot mansion.
Meesha, Carlton, Avery, and Ryker looked like they were ready for TMZ to show up at any minute. Eva looked stunning, minus Harper who was called to the hospital earlier that afternoon. Eva hadn’t heard from him since, and frankly couldn’t be happier that she was solo. She wanted to enjoy herself and she couldn’t do that with Harper. She didn’t know what would set him off. Lately, things had been civil between them. He hadn’t had any more of his abusive flare-ups, and Eva slowly, but still on pins and needles, began to relax a bit. When he told her he was called to the hospital, she breathed a welcomed sigh. Thank God for small miracles, she thought as she walked into Peyton and Derek’s lavish home.
As Eva mingled with her friends outside under the lanai, feet away from the party tent awaiting the guest of honor’s arrival, she was quite surprised to see the handsome stranger from the rescue shelter as one of the guests. She watched him closely without him noticing. He was standing with a much older, attractive, silver-haired woman. The woman looked absolutely radiant and sophisticated, and Eva could tell that she was worth millions when she saw the sparkling diamonds dripping from around her neck, ears, and hands. She reeked of high society and money—lots of it.
Avery stood next to Eva and spoke lightly into her ear as she watched Eva staring in the lady’s direction. “That’s Emma Winters. Can you believe she’s eighty-seven years old? She can pass for at least sixty any day. She’s been well preserved. Plastic surgery does do wonders. From what Ryker says, she adores Derek. She’s his best customer. Has her millions in his bank, at least as much as his bank can handle. I’m sure the amount of wealth she has is spread over numerous investments and banks. She is after all, Adverse City’s wealthiest woman. Our money is pennies compared to what that old lady has.”
“Yes, I’ve heard of her, but I’ve never met her or seen her in person.”
“She doesn’t run in our circles, girl.”
“I bet she doesn’t. Who are those two men with her?”
“Her grandsons. The one on her right was recently married. That’s his wife standing next to him. I can’t believe you didn’t read about it. He had a wedding that would rival the royal couple. Peyton and Derek went to it, of course.”
“Oh, yeah, I remember when Peyton told us about that wedding. And the one on the left? Who is he?”
“You mean that fine specimen of a man?” Avery remarked and smiled with lust.
“Yes, fine he is.…” Eva smiled and looked at Avery.
“That’s her other grandson. His name is Quentin. He’s someone you definitely should get to know.”
With flinched eyebrows and a pull back of her neck, Eva looked at her best friend. “Why would I want to meet him? I mean he is definitely fine but I’m a married woman.”
“Girl, please. I said that because you want to be a chef and own your own restaurants, right?”
“Yes, but what does that have to do with him?”
“He has a thriving restaurant in France, another one in New York, and not to mention a boatload of money himself, thanks to grandmommy dearest and to his own good fortune. In addition to him being a five-star chef, he and his brother are real estate tycoons. According to Ryker, Quentin recently moved back to Adverse City to help take care of his aging grandmother. She’s the one that raised him and his brother after their parents died in a terrorist attack overseas where they lived when they were kids.”
That may explain his accent, Eva thought as she listened to Avery.
“Quentin returned to Paris after he graduated from Wharton School of Business. That’s where he opened the restaurant. It’s at the top of the restaurant and food chain over there from what I’ve heard. So is the one in New York. He’s also some kind of an animal enthusiast.”
“Who would have guessed?”
“What did you say?” Avery asked.
“Oh, I was just saying, maybe you’re right. Maybe he is someone I should meet.”
“I thought that little resume’ of his might make you change your mind.”
“No, it’s not the money, if that’s what you mean, but I can’t lie, it doesn’t hurt the situation.” Eva smiled slightly, not telling Avery that she had already met the handsome Quentin Winters.
“I bet. I’ll see if I can get Ryker to introduce you sometime tonight. He handles Mrs. Winters and her grandsons’ legal matters.”
“Okay, that might work, but don’t force it,” Eva stated and they both started talking about something else.
“Don’t you agree that Peyton should be proud of herself? I mean, this party is it, girl. The grounds look amazing and the menu, decorations, everything is better than I could ever have pictured. You know, this might be the icing on the cake that will get her and Derek back together.”
“Avery, I think you might be right,” Meesha intervened as she appeared from out of nowhere and stood next to Eva without Avery seeing her come up. “I sure hope so.”
“Yeah, me too,” said Eva.
“How are you tonight, Miss Lady?” Eva asked Meesha.
“Fabulous. It’s good to get out. Carlton and I have been cooped up in the house all week long. Other than me going to the Academy and him going to the church office, it’s been uneventful. And with the kids, we hardly have much time to be alone. This is a welcome relief. It’s actually our first date night again since Makena was born. It feels amazing.”
“Good for you,” Avery mumbled.
“What did you say?” Meesha asked.
“I said, good for you…and Carlton.”
“You good?” asked Ryker as he walked up next to Avery and spoke into her ear.
“Yes, I’m fine. Thanks for being concerned,” she turned to face him and said so that Meesha, in particular, couldn’t hear, “but I’m not a china doll. I’m not going to break, Ryker. I’m feeling better this evening than I’ve felt in a long time.”
He kissed her on the cheek. “You’re my china doll, and I’m glad to hear that you’re feeling good tonight. I want you to have fun.”
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to do anything to embarrass you,” she said and grabbed hold of his hand as she caught Carlton looking at her with suspicion from a distance.
Avery returned Carlton’s glare with a wicked smile of her own as if warning him not to cross her. She continued to toy with the findings of the DNA results and still played with the idea about whether she should go on and let Carlton off the hook and tell him about it. Then again she reason, RJ wasn’t his kid so she didn’t owe him an explanation about anything. She would leave things as they were for now and enjoy the evening. She didn’t want to do or say anything that would mess things up for Peyton.
The guests continued to mix and mingle until Meesha and the ladies received a text from Peyton telling them they were on their way with Derek.
Peyton’s plans couldn’
t have worked out any better. This evening’s weather was perfect. She, Derek, and Liam had attended Liam’s lacrosse game. After a big win by his team, they stopped at a deli to have a quick sandwich, and to talk about the game. Derek suggested they get something heavier to eat, but Liam told his parents that he had plans to go hang out with some of his teammates after he got home and changed. Derek agreed that in that case they should go home.
The plan was for Liam to leave home for the evening after they said, ‘Surprise’ to his dad. Unbeknownst to Derek, Liam and Peyton had already made plans for the teen to spend the night at his best friend’s house after they went and celebrated his team’s win.
Derek’s birthday wasn’t until the following Monday so he shouldn’t have suspected a thing, especially a birthday party.
Peyton smiled as they entered the house, walked inside, and all was dark. The lights automatically came on in the smart home as they entered. There were no telltale signs of anything out of the ordinary going on, and Peyton released a satisfying smile as she walked between Derek and Liam.
As they made their way deeper inside the expansive residence, Peyton slightly eyed Liam and smiled.
“Something’s going on,” Derek said and halted his step.
“What do you mean? What is it?” Peyton asked.
“You guys hold up right here. Let me check this out.”
“Check what out?” Peyton asked, feigning concern, but smiling inside as she saw the plan unfolding perfectly.
“Look, see the stream of flight coming in through the family room from outside. That shouldn’t be. Looks like the sliding door leading to the back yard is open. Stay right here,” he said again, holding his hand back, cautioning them not to move.
“Be careful, Derek,” Peyton said, with a fake nervousness in her tone.
Derek walked farther into the family room and took cautious steps toward the sliding doors. He reached out, pushed one of the doors back, and it disappeared inside the wall.
Peyton and Liam walked up behind him. Derek looked absolutely stunned when an array of lights came on like bursts of sunlight shining through the dark.
“Surprise!” the guests said in perfect unison. Cell phone cameras flashed, videos started being recorded, and the hired photographer and videographer took picture after picture.
Derek stood like a mannequin for a moment, taking in the display of people standing before him. Next, he looked over at Liam then to the other side at Peyton. He released a big grin that filled his face with pride.
Peyton hugged him and Liam embraced his dad as people clapped.
Derek walked further into the open outside space and his eyes continued to brighten at the sight of his friends. He saw the lavish setup and it looked like tears sparkled in his eyes under a perfect moonlit night. He may not have been the kind of man who liked surprises, but this was a welcomed one. It was an evening he would surely remember for a long time to come—so would Peyton.
Chapter 20
“Until the lion learns to write, every story will glorify the hunter.” African Proverb
The band jammed the latest tunes and the lead singer was amazing. Eva, Avery, and Meesha gossiped and did the fashion police thing about all the guests until Ryker came up, took her by the hand, and whisked Avery to the dance floor. She looked over her shoulder at Eva and Meesha with a smile on her face, shrugging her shoulders happily.
Carlton walked up seconds later and practically did the same to Meesha. Eva was left standing alone with a half-smile plastered on her pretty face. She decided to go to the casita that Peyton had set up for her guests. It had two bathrooms a small living space, and a bedroom.
The way Peyton had the casita arranged for the evening made it the perfect space for the female guests to refresh themselves, use the bathroom, and chill for a minute rather than having to go all the way back inside the main house. She had done the same thing for the men by rearranging the pool house as a space for them, which was a neat idea.
Following the decorated, paved walkway leading to the casita, she eyed the exquisite decorations and marveled at the extent and expense Peyton had gone through to make this evening special and perfect for Derek.
Eva entered the casita, went inside the restroom, relieved herself, and then went to the vanity to wash her hands and refresh her light makeup.
Exiting the casita, she headed back up the lit walkway toward the party tent.
“So, we meet again,” the magnetic voice said, causing Eva to once again stumble. She didn’t have to look around to know that it was him. She felt his arm steady her and she gazed up and into his deep sandy brown eyes. The scent of his cologne, mingled with the gentle breeze of the evening, could easily have taken her breath away, but she placed one hand over her chest as if to calm her rapidly beating heart. Why did this man have this type of effect on her?
“I guess we do,” Eva replied like a bashful schoolgirl.
He flashed a warming smile at her. “So you know these folks, huh?”
“Yes. Peyton is a close friend. And you?”
“Yes, Derek has been my grandmother’s financial advisor and banker for quite some time. She adores the guy.”
“Quentin…Quentin Winters,” he said, as he stopped walking and extended his hand toward Eva.
“Eva Stenberg,” she responded, placing her hand inside his.
“Nice to finally officially meet you,” he said and they continued their walk toward the party tent. “This is a cool party. Looks like his wife went all out for this affair.”
Eva nodded in agreement. “Yes, everything is perfect.”
They arrived at the tent and Eva almost immediately spotted Avery, who gave her a smile and a quick nod as Ryker clung to her like they were fresh newlyweds.
Eva scanned around the space further, and saw Peyton mingling with the guests. Meesha and Carlton were in a circle engaged in conversation with several other couples, and Derek, like his wife, was engaging with the guests. Peyton was the perfect hostess. Whether she thought so or not, she was in her element. She looked happier than she had in a long time, and Eva was happy for her.
When it was time for the five-course dinner to be served, Peyton was escorted to the front of the tent by the party planner. “May I have your attention please,” Peyton said as she stepped up to where the band was located and spoke into the microphone. “We’re going to enjoy another performance by the band. When they’re done please go to your assigned tables and be seated so you can be served.”
The band played a familiar, slow tune.
“May I?”
“May you what?” Eva responded.
“Have this dance?”
Eva raised her hands and shook her head. “Uh, no, I...I’m not the world’s best dancer. You should know that after I’ve stumbled the three times we’ve ran into each other.”
Quentin chuckled. “You mean twice,” he playfully corrected, as he gently placed his hand at the small of her back.
Actually, it has been three times. I first saw you at Central Park about a year ago, she started to say but decided against it. Instead she said, “I don’t know what it is but it seems that when—”
“When you’re around me, you get all weak in the knees.” He flashed another charming smile her way.
“No…that is not what I meant,” she said quickly.
Quentin stood in front of her, and looked at her like he was seeing her for the first time. He studied her features, looked at the outline of her face. He thought back to when he saw her across the street from his pet store. When he stood at her car that day, he felt their paths had crossed before, but he couldn’t remember where. He’d seen his share of beautiful women, but this one was different. There was a certain something about her that captivated him and he wanted to learn more about her.
“No need to take offense. I was just kidding, but you’re right. I guess I stand corrected about the number of times you’ve almost fallen around me. The good thing about it is you know what t
hey say about the number three, right?” He grabbed hold of her hand.
“No, actually I don’t. What do they say?”
“It means you can’t say no to dancing with me.” He led her to the dance floor and pulled her gingerly into his arms as the slow jam played.
The band was on point. The lead singer of the group, a Lauren Hill lookalike, song the melodic, love song, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Roberta Flack.
Without intentionally doing so, and more out of relaxing and listening to the words of the song, Eva rested her head against Quentin’s broad chest as the space closed between them. Her arms felt secure and safe around his neck, and his hands around her torso made her feel some type of way.
She didn’t see Harper when he appeared and stood outside the tent watching like a lurking voyeur. All she cared about at this moment was this moment. Eyes closed, she listened to the words of the song. It described exactly how she felt. “I felt all flushed with fever, embarrassed by the crowd…”
Harper watched and anger filled his eyes. He had made a horrible mistake marrying a girl like Eva. She was ten years his junior and she was nothing more than the equivalent of poor white trash. He had pulled her out of the gutter from where she came, what had he been thinking. He thought he was being led by God when he met her in Bolivia during his mission trip, but boy had he been wrong. Instead of the perfect wife, he had brought home a cheating, unappreciative, little slut who repaid him by sleeping with his son, and not the beautiful, sweet, innocent young woman who was the woman he’d prayed for God to send him.
Look at her. Guess she’s found her next unsuspecting victim. His jawline twitched and a look of disbelief, rage, and frustration shrouded his face. Eyes hooded, mouth pursed, he looked like an evil villain. An eye for an eye will never be enough.
Harper walked up to Eva and Quentin, took her by her elbow, and gently pulled her out of Quentin’s hold.
“Excuse me, Quentin. If you don’t mind, I’d like to dance with my wife,” he said with a broad smile plastered on his handsome face.
The Real Housewives of Adverse city 3 Page 12
