by J. A. Owenby
Even though my leg was healed, I was treading carefully in my black high heels. A low whistle reached my ears and my head snapped up. My breath caught in my throat as I spotted Layne in a black tux with a blue cummerbund and bow tie that matched my dress. The blue brought out the color of his eyes, and I nearly stumbled over my own feet. Gorgeous didn’t even begin to describe how he looked.
“I think I’m going to have to sneak off early tonight,” I whispered to Avery.
“Damn straight. Wow. Maybe let him knock a ball into the eighth hole.”
I giggled at Avery’s golf pun. She released my hand, and I joined Layne in the foyer. I paused, greedily soaking him in.
He pulled me to him, and his warm breath grazed my ear as he spoke. “You’re breathtaking, and you’re mine.”
His fingers stroked my bare shoulder, and goosebumps dotted my skin.
“I am yours. Forever.” There was no way I would ever let him go if I had any say in it.
He bent down, brushing his full lips against mine. Heat pulsed through my body, but it would have to wait.
“Are you ready for a party in your honor?” Benji asked, wheeling into the foyer from the kitchen.
I turned to face him. “Good grief, how in the hell do you look better than everyone in this room? It’s illegal to look that damned good.”
Benji chuckled and Avery walked over to him.
“You two look so good together. Too bad you both like boys.” I wiggled my eyebrows at my best friends and laughter filled the air.
“I tried, remember?” Avery squeezed his shoulder. “But we’re together tonight, so I’ll take it.”
Benji grabbed Avery’s hand and placed a kiss on the back of it. “I’m looking forward to it.”
We continued some small talk while we waited for Marilyn and Michael.
“Kids, oh my.” Marilyn’s heels clicked against the marble floor. “I need pictures.” She handed Michael her evening bag and directed us to the living room. “The light is better here.” She smoothed her long, dark-red dress. Her smile reached her eyes as she spoke. “I’m so proud of all of you, but no more of that. I can’t cry and mess up my makeup.”
We laughed while she took pictures.
Marilyn waved at Michael to join us. “Dad, get in there.”
Michael looked dashing in his tux. A broad grin eased across his handsome face as he hurried over. He stood behind us since he was the tallest, then he and Marilyn traded places. Avery snapped the last picture of Michael, Marilyn, Benji, and me. My heart fluttered inside my chest. Everyone was so happy, and so was I. I’d just had my first family photo taken.
“We’d better get going,” Michael said, opening the door for us. “The limo is warm and ready. It’s also fully loaded with champagne. After all, tonight is a celebration.”
Twenty minutes later, we all strolled into the room Michael and Marilyn had rented for the evening. Large windows allowed visual access to the golf course and water feature the club turned on during the warmer months. A dance floor was situated in the front, and a bar with two bartenders was located to the right. Soft classical music flowed through the speakers, and I suddenly longed for my drums.
A few more people arrived that I didn’t know. Although the party was to celebrate the adoption, Michael and Marilyn had invited most of their friends and some business acquaintances.
“Come on.” I took Layne’s hand and excused myself from the room, suddenly feeling stifled.
“Where are we going?” Layne asked, hustling to keep up with me.
“We’ll be right back.” I grabbed my wrap from the coat clerk and flung it around my shoulders. As I pushed the front door open, the cold air greeted me. My hold tightened on Layne’s fingers and I made a mad dash around the building. “I needed air.” I whirled around to face him and brought his mouth to mine, kissing him deeply.
He moaned as my hands slipped beneath his jacket and into the waistband of his tux pants. Before I had a chance to unzip them, someone shined a bright light in my face.
“You two need to make your way back to the party,” a deep male voice said.
“Dammit. I forgot about the extra security tonight.” I shivered, realizing that having a quickie in twenty-degree temps wasn’t the smartest idea I’d ever had.
Layne laughed. “I love you, babe. Try to relax, though. Let’s grab a drink or two.”
I nodded. The security guard obviously wasn’t kidding because he stood there, waiting for us to go back inside.
My boyfriend wrapped his arm around me, and we began to make our way back to the door. The flashlight moved to the ground, lighting our path for us.
“Thanks,” I said, finally catching a glimpse of who the man was. I halted abruptly. “Vaughn.”
“Good evening, Tensley. I’m happy to see you back on your feet and out in public again.” His expression remained serious, but I’d never seen any of the bodyguards smile, much less laugh.
I peered up at Layne. “Babe, can I have a minute with Vaughn?”
“I’ll make sure she gets in the building safely,” Vaughn assured him.
Layne gave me a quick peck on the lips and left us alone.
My teeth chattered, and Vaughn slipped off his Westbrook Security coat and wrapped it around me.
I huddled beneath the heavy coat, grateful for the warmth. “Thank you. I won’t keep you long—I know you’re working.”
“It’s a little cold for you to be out here tonight anyway.” He paused for a second then asked, “How can I help you?”
I rolled my eyes. “You sound so formal.” I laughed nervously. “I wanted to thank you for helping me and for helping Layne. Please tell Sutton thank you as well. I wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for both of you. But most of all, thank you for being someone Layne could trust.”
His mismatched eyes held my gaze. “It’s my job.”
I shook my head. “No, you went beyond that. You kept a secret from the authorities in order to save me. I’ll never be able to repay you, but I did want to thank you personally. Will you give Sutton my message?”
“You can thank her yourself. She and Pierce will be here any minute. Michael invited them to your party.” The corner of his mouth twitched in an almost smile.
“Oh!” Apparently Michael and Marilyn had gone all out for the party. “I guess I’d better get inside, then.” I slipped off his coat, and before I could stop myself, I flung my arms around him in a hug.
He wrapped one arm around me briefly then released me. “Take care of yourself, Tensley.”
I didn’t miss the compassion in his expression.
Vaughn escorted me to the door, and his brown eye caught the light as I turned to look at him one last time. “See ya.” I gave him a little wave, then joined the crowd of people that had filed in while I’d been outside.
Layne exited the restroom. “How did it go?” Before I could answer, his gaze focused on my mouth. “Babe, your lips are blue. Come here.” He guided me back into the main room and filled a cup with some coffee. “Hold this. I’m not sure it will do your anxiety any good if you drink it, but at least it will warm you up a bit.”
He was right, but I took a sip anyway. The scalding liquid burned my throat and esophagus as it traveled into my stomach.
“It went well with Vaughn. I just thanked him for what he did for us. He said that Michael—I mean Dad—invited Pierce and Sutton, too, so we’ll get to meet her.”
Layne nodded, and I turned toward the doorway. Pierce Westbrook strolled into the room like he owned it. For all I knew, he did. Michael had mentioned he owned the highly successful security firm, and I assumed by the size of the rock on his wife’s hand, he had money. A lot of it.
Sutton Westbrook was one of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen. Her long blond hair flowed down her back, and her emerald-green dress accentuated her blue eyes. She carried herself with confidence as she stood by her husband’s side. Adoration was evident on her face as she glanced up at him. He gave her a sweet k
iss, then began introductions around the room.
Layne squeezed my fingers gently. “Are you ready? We should start mingling. We can take a break any time you need one.”
“I would like to thank Pierce and meet Sutton.” We left the coffee station and made our way to Pierce. Franklin and a woman I assumed was his wife entered, looking gorgeous in her full-length gold colored dress that accentuated her big brown eyes and dark hair.
I approached the small group from the side. “Hi, Franklin.”
“Tensley, it’s so good to see you up and around.” Franklin patted my arm. “How are you feeling?”
“Much better.” A genuine smile spread across my face. “I wanted to meet your wife and thank you again for all of your help.”
“Anytime. You’ve got an excellent young man by your side and a new family. There’s no doubt in my mind that you’re going to be all right. And this is my beautiful wife, Janice.”
Janice didn’t bother with a handshake. Instead, she released her husband’s arm and hugged me. Her affection caught me off guard, and it took me a moment to return her embrace. She stepped back, compassion filling her big brown eyes. “You’re just as beautiful as Marilyn said you were. I’m so happy that you’re safe and sound. It will take some time to heal, but it gets better. I promise.” She moved back, allowing Pierce to shake Layne’s hand.
“Good to see you again,” Layne said, grasping Pierce’s outstretched hand.
“You take good care of her. You’ve got good instincts. Listen to them. And if you ever want a job …” Pierce paused, assessing Layne’s reaction.
Layne’s brows shot up. “Really? I might have to see what that looks like.”
Pierce handed him a business card. “Call me if you’re interested.”
I stared at them dumbly, butterflies fluttering in my stomach. Layne, a bodyguard? I didn’t think I liked the sound of that, not at all.
“I’m looking to fill several positions inside the company. I’ve got a strong team of bodyguards but not enough good people behind the scenes, so let’s do lunch soon.” Pierce patted Layne on the back and returned to his wife’s side.
I mentally sighed, relief flooding through me.
A soft laugh reached my ears, and my gaze landed on Sutton.
“It’s all right, Tensley. We won’t put him in too much danger if he comes on board.” Her smile lit up the room.
“I think I’ve had enough danger to last a lifetime,” I said. “But I wanted to thank you for delivering the chip so Vaughn and Layne could hide it in my coat. It saved my life. We were up in the mountains …” I felt a sharp pang in my chest. I didn’t want to discuss it. I was determined to stay focused on the future. A flush crept over my cheeks as my pulse spiked. I couldn’t think about what had happened, not right then. “Anyway, thank you.”
She gave me a brief hug. “You’re very welcome. And congrats on the adoption.”
“Can I have everyone’s attention, please?” Michael’s voice boomed through the speakers. “If everyone would take a seat for just a few minutes …”
Layne guided me to a table toward the front. We joined Marilyn and Avery, and I looked around. I hadn’t seen Benji in a while and wondered where he was. My pulse spiked as my mind fucked with me. My biggest unexpressed fear was that Jack had an acquaintance in his line of work that would come after me or the people I loved.
“Thank you all for coming tonight. As the invitation mentioned, Marilyn and I have officially adopted Tensley into our family.”
Where is Benji? He should be present for this. My body began to tremble.
“Babe?” Layne whispered in my ear. “What’s wrong?”
“Benji. Where’s Benji? He should be here with us.” I bit my lip, willing myself to not go into a full-on frenzy.
“Tensley, would you come up here, please?”
Fuck. Now? Dammit. My knees wobbled as I stood. I willed myself to take the twenty steps toward Michael without collapsing. Blood pounded in my ears, and I hoped like hell I wouldn’t pass out.
Michael took my hand and lowered the microphone. “Are you okay?” he whispered.
I nodded, then smiled at him.
“Don’t be nervous. I’m right here with you,” he reassured me.
“I know, but where’s your son?”
Michael squeezed my fingers and raised the mic again. “One of the things I’ve always loved and respected about Tensley is that she doesn’t miss a thing. She’s sharp and has a keen ability to read people and assess a situation.”
Like my father.
“Benji, I don’t think we can hide it any longer. She’s about to pass out up here, she’s so worried about you.”
I turned to face Michael, confused as hell. “What?”
Michael nodded toward the door of the room, and my mouth dropped open. Tears immediately filled my eyes, and my hands flew over my face as I attempted to hold it together in front of everyone. Benji took a step toward me using crutches. Then he slowly took another, and another.
“Benji,” I whispered through my tears. “You’re walking.”
The beautiful smile I loved so much spread across his face. “Just a little something I’ve been working on.” He chuckled and took another step.
I bolted across the room and threw my arms around him while the entire audience stood and clapped.
“Careful. Don’t knock me over.” He leaned his head on my shoulder, unable to return my hug due to the crutches.
I laughed and stood back. “How? When?” I had so many questions.
“I wanted to be able to dance with you tonight. Ya know, not only as best friends, but as brother and sister.”
“Shit.” The tears kept coming. “You’re messing up my makeup. I was terrified something bad had happened to you.”
“Nope. I wouldn’t miss tonight for anything. Now, would you be so kind as to allow me to escort you back to Dad?” Benji’s eyes misted over, and I gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“Absolutely.”
Michael continued to talk about what I’d overcome and how proud he was of both his kids. I got Benji settled at the table with us as relief flooded through me. I slipped into my chair next to Layne and discreetly dabbed my eyes, hoping my mascara wasn’t running down my cheeks.
Layne planted a kiss on my temple and rubbed little circles on my back. My heartrate began to slow as I pulled myself back together. Gratitude washed over me because, not only was Benji okay, but he was walking again. After he’d been attacked, the doctors hadn’t been able to determine if that were a possibility or not. Apparently it was. But I suspected Benji’s raw determination had a lot to do with it as well.
“We’ve all grown to love Tensley so much, and we wanted to legally make her a part of our family. We couldn’t be more honored to call her our daughter.”
Everyone clapped and cheered. A flush crept up my neck. I wasn’t used to being the center of attention, and it was a bit overwhelming.
Layne scooted his chair out and released my hand.
“Where are you going?” I asked, frowning.
He nodded then strolled up to the front and joined Michael. Michael hugged him then handed him the microphone.
What is he doing?
“I met Tensley in high school. In Arkansas, actually. It was fate that we both ended up in Spokane together. She’s by far the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Babe, will you come up here for a minute?”
What in the world is he up to? I shot a look at Marilyn, Benji, and Avery, but they just shrugged.
I stood, then made my way next to him.
“I’ve found over the years that all the crap that happens in life also steers us toward what we want, to who we want. The moment I laid eyes on you in high school, I knew. But then life happened, and it pulled us in opposite directions.”
Layne knelt down on one knee and produced a small box from the inside of his tux. “There is no doubt in my heart that you’re the one for me. You’re strong, genuine,
smart, and beautiful. I’d be a fool not to want you by my side for the rest of our lives. Tensley Parker, will you marry me?”
My knees gave out, and I sank to the floor with him. He lowered the microphone and held the engagement ring in his hand. “I can’t live without you,” he said quietly. “You’re the beat of my heart, my entire world.”
My gaze landed on the beautiful diamond ring, then shot up to his face. There was so much love in his eyes for me. He owned every part of me. He had touched my soul and given light to some of the darkest places inside me. There was no one else I wanted to be with.
“Yes.” I nodded then laughed. “Yes.”
He slipped the ring on my finger then stood, pulling me up with him. Thunderous clapping filled the room as Layne kissed me. “Tonight, we will celebrate when we’re alone.” He took my hand in his and guided us back to the table.
Marilyn jumped up and hugged us. “I know you’ll need to take your time and graduate college first, but I can’t wait to help you plan your wedding!” She kissed my cheek.
Michael, Benji, and Avery all congratulated us. My heart overflowed with the love that surrounded me. I’d gone from nearly dying in a garbage dumpster to an amazing life. Love, safety, and family—everything I’d ever dreamed of—had finally materialized in front of me.
Michael grabbed the microphone once again. “Thank you all for joining us tonight. We obviously have a lot to celebrate, so let’s get it underway.”
Over the next hour, the alcohol flowed, and I danced with Layne, Michael, and Benji. Avery and I agreed we would save our dances for the bar. My feet were killing me in my heels, but for the first time since I could remember, I was happy—genuinely, truly happy.
The music slowed and Layne closed the gap between us as “I Wish I Was the Moon” began to play. I snuggled up to him and laid my head on his chest. In his arms was the best place to be.
He tilted his head to the side of us and grinned. “Ten, look.”
“Holy shit.” I clamped my mouth shut, thankful the music was too loud for anyone other than my fiancé to have heard me. My head whipped back around. “Are Gemma Thompson and Hendrix Harrington from August Clover really dancing next to us, or did you put something in my drink? And when did they get here?” I peeked back over at them, and Gemma gave me a friendly smile and a little wave.
