Beyond Control

by Karice Bolton

  “You girls, okay?” he asked, breathless. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what happened.” His face was ashen and his brown eyes wide.

  I hoisted myself out of Brandy’s lap and straightened up to see out the windshield.

  “We’re okay, Bernie. Are you?” I asked.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he muttered, clearly shaken.

  “Not a drop spilt,” Brandy offered, trying to make him feel better with her usual dose of humor.

  I shook my head and looked through the windshield. It looked like we’d hit some sort of white utility trailer. I couldn’t see what kind of vehicle was towing it, but judging by the size of the trailer, it would have to be something beefy. All I knew was getting in an accident on the bridge was every commuter’s worst nightmare. Bernie quickly opened his door and jumped out. I hoped they could quickly trade information and we could move on.

  “Whoa. Sometimes things are meant to be,” she sang, squeezing my elbow.

  “What are you talking about?” I asked. There was nothing worth getting in an accident over, especially as the horns blared behind us.

  “That’s what I’m talking about,” she purred, yanking on me to look outside. “Did you know such perfection was possible?”

  Clearly the bubbles had already gotten to her.

  I craned my neck and saw Bernie hustling over to someone, and that’s when I saw him. I didn’t believe my eyes. Men like this didn’t exist in Seattle. We were a city full of hipsters and techies, but here he was… standing right next to our car. I felt as if my world had done a pause. Just the mere sight of him made my heart flutter like I was back in grade school waiting to open my very first Valentine.

  This was crazy!

  As he exchanged information with Bernie, I watched his every move. From his dark hair that the breeze mussed up slightly to the lopsided grin that he wore, I simply couldn’t look away. There was something so intriguing about him. I mean there was no denying it. The guy was completely built, but there was something more.

  It didn’t hurt that his smile was out of this world, but any guy who just got rear-ended and had the decency to smile about it was unusual. The dark shadow along his jawline signaled a morning without a shave, which complimented his rugged appearance and I just…

  “You stopped breathing,” Brandy mumbled and all I could do was smile.

  He was dressed in a pair of ripped jeans, and his shoulders were broad, filling out his charcoal t-shirt. As my eyes fell back down to his jeans, my insides clashed madly as I glimpsed bronzed skin where his shirt had tugged up slightly. I looked over at Brandy who was in the same zone as me.

  The way the sun was setting, I didn’t think he could see inside, but it somehow felt like his eyes were on me, watching me fidget. Okay. That was probably wishful thinking, but it really did feel that way. So much so that I refused to look in his direction, even though it was killing me not to check him out.

  “Can he see through the windshield, do you think?” Brandy mused.

  “Why?” I asked. “I don’t think so, but I’m not sure since the privacy glass is down.”

  “Well, it looks like he’s captivated by someone back here and it’s not me,” she stated.

  “Yeah. Then he definitely can’t see back here,” I said, feeling the heat run up my body.

  “I’m pretty sure he can, and all I can say is lucky you.”

  I turned my attention back to him and saw him speaking with Bernie, but I will admit his gaze did manage to gravitate in this direction.

  “I think I’d trade my soul for one night with him,” I whispered.

  “That’s my Gabby,” Brandy chuckled. “You just needed a Mr. Perfect to show up.”

  “He’s completely unattainable,” I replied, daring myself to look at him once more. “That’s why I can say it. He’ll drive off, so will we, and I won’t have to worry.”

  His hand gripped a leather wallet, and my gaze followed up his long, muscular arm as I watched him stuff it back in his pocket. How could a slight movement do this to me? His laughter echoed all the way to the car as he patted Bernie’s shoulder and dipped his head to peek through the windshield. This time there was no doubt who he was looking at as our eyes locked, sending a shiver up my spine. His long lashes outlined his amber eyes, and they were like liquescent gold as the sunlight caught the bronze flecks just right. I didn’t even think that was a possible eye color, except maybe in a little movie I happened to love back in high school and college, but still those were contacts. These weren’t. His lip quirked up, and he gave a slight nod. So slight, I wasn’t even sure it happened.

  Brandy squealed and tightened her grip. “He’s coming this way,” she said.

  “Quick. Sit over there.” I pointed to the backseat, and she dove toward it. I started laughing but followed right behind her. I felt the giddiness of high school fill me to the brim, and I had no idea why.

  “How come we just did that?” she muttered, ready for the next commandment as she adjusted her dress.

  “I have no idea,” I confessed.

  I pointed at the Grecian God as he peered into the darkened glass next to us. He did a double tap on the window with his knuckles as his lips twisted into a cocky smile. When he stood back up, I noticed his shirt hugging his flat stomach and began dreaming about my fingers skating across it and started chuckling.

  “What’s so funny?” Brandy quipped and I shook my head.

  “I have no effing idea, but this mirage of a man is turning me into a mess.”

  “He’s no mirage,” she replied.

  I watched as the man threw us another lopsided smile, but I also knew this time he couldn’t see us. He just seemed to like the idea of messing with us.

  “So, you got the President inside here or a bunch of giggling high school girls on their way to prom?” His voice low, scalding my insides.

  Brandy looked at me horrified. “This is why you hate riding in this thing,” she stated.

  I nodded quickly, keeping my eyes on the guy who was slowly moving toward the door.

  “Completely pretentious modes of transportation will never lead to good things.” I took a deep breath in.

  “Yep. My bet is that it’s a bunch of sixteen year olds,” he said coyly, arrogance filling his every word and gesture. “Waiting to get—”

  Brandy’s breathing stopped at about the same time mine did.

  My heart fell to my toes as he opened the door and ducked his head inside the limo. He was gorgeous. No. That’s not true. He was beyond gorgeous. His amber eyes filled with mischief as he looked at Brandy and then at me.

  He looked to be in his late twenties. I heard Bernie talking, but I couldn’t decipher what he was saying. All I could do was look at this piece of perfection as he toyed with us and obviously enjoyed it. My hand slid up by my necklace as I attempted to block my scar from his view, but all that did was make me more self-conscious.

  “Are you two okay?” he asked.

  I nodded, speechless, and looked away.

  “That was quite a hit,” he continued. “I’m an EMT if…”

  I whipped my head around, intending to give him a mocking glance, but instead I wound up blushing as his smile turned to a wonderfully wicked grin with his eyes capturing my discomfort.

  “If he can do that with his eyes, I can’t even imagine what he can do with…” Brandy whispered in my ear.

  “What was that?” the man’s voice rumbled, eyeing me, not Brandy.

  “Okay, you’ve had your fun,” I told him, flushing from the inside out. “We’ve got an event we’re late for.” I watched his eyes follow my lips as I spoke, which did nothing but create a hornets nest inside of me. How could his eyes do that to me, penetrate me like that?

  “You’re right. What was I thinking? You’re the only ones who have a place to be.” He flashed me another wide grin. The intensity in him shifted only slightly as he pretended to be annoyed. “I wasn’t on my way to anywhere in particular. In fact, I had only pl
anned on driving back and forth on the bridge all night. One side… Then the other…”

  “I didn’t mean that where we had to go was more important than you,” I sputtered out. This is what I hated about riding in these things. Limos automatically put people in the ass-hat category. However, wanting to live up to the already laid reputation, my lips pinched together, and my arms crossed automatically.

  “Maybe we’re headed to the same place,” he replied, his eyes carefully reading my actions, teasing me. “Although, judging by how you’re dressed, it’s doubtful.”

  I frowned and looked away from the guy and mumbled, “You really should drive more carefully.”

  The guy laughed and my eyes flicked back to his. “That’s what most people hear when they’ve just gotten rear-ended,” he replied. “Well, I think I struck out here so my insurance will be in touch.” He gave me a wink and ducked out of the car.

  I watched Bernie and the guy trade goodbyes quickly before he jogged back to whatever vehicle was pulling the trailer.

  Brandy reached for the bottle of champagne and replenished both of our flutes. “I think someone’s got a crush on the mystery man.”

  “I do not.”

  “You always get this way when you do,” she continued laughing.

  “What way?” I demanded.

  “Snippety.” She smiled as if she’d won the battle.

  Bernie climbed back into the car, apologizing profusely, and Brandy and I both resituated back to the side seat. I watched as the utility trailer pulled away and we followed.

  “It looks like it did more damage to this car than his trailer,” Bernie said. “It’s gonna be in the shop for awhile.”

  “That’s a shame,” Brandy replied sarcastically. Finally the woman was on my side about riding in this car.

  “So what’s that guy’s name?” Brandy asked Bernie. I jabbed her in the ribs, and all she did was laugh.

  “Jason something or other,” Bernie replied. “I’ve got it written down. He certainly got a kick out of you two, didn’t he?”

  “Jason,” Brandy repeated it for me as if I didn’t hear it the first time. “That’s a nice name.”

  She was about to get on one of her ‘pair up Gabby’ kicks so I quickly deterred her, hoping her champagne consumption would aid in my rescue.

  I turned to her and asked, “You wanna know what’s more ridiculous than showing up to places in a limo?”

  “What?” she asked playfully, batting her lashes and forgetting about setting me up with the stranger.

  “Pulling up to a place in a busted-ass limo,” I replied, and we both started laughing. Dating crisis averted once again.

  Cars were lined up all along the road leading to the Chateau. The party was already bustling, and we hadn’t even entered the property. As Bernie turned through the wrought iron gates, he drove us down the long drive, which was surrounded by rows of grape vines. It was a beautiful summer night to hold an event with the temperature balmy, and the sky still clear. It was close to seven o’clock, but we still had another couple of hours of daylight left.

  Several guests were walking toward the main building, and relief flooded me as I realized my other outfit would have been a complete mistake. Most of the women were in cocktail dresses. Dad saved the day once more.

  “Have you ever been to a concert here?” Brandy asked, peering out the glass. “It always seemed like it would be fun.”

  I nodded and pointed off in the distance. “That’s where they set up the stage, and people bring blankets and picnic while watching the concert. I haven’t been to one for years though.”

  She grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “Let’s do that this summer,” she said, grinning.

  “You got it,” I said, feeling the car come to a slow stop.

  “Ha,” she belted out.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Look what’s tucked in between the trees over there. It looks like that trailer Bernie ran into,” she giggled.

  “I have a hunch on this. Now I could be wrong, but I bet that there have been more than one of those manufactured in the states,” I teased, rolling my eyes.

  “Hardy-har-har,” Brandy joked.

  I looked out the window and saw a large group of people congregating on the mammoth stone steps that led to the entrance. I was sure my father was in the middle of the crowd. He always had a knack for storytelling and never told the same one twice.

  “We have arrived,” Bernie said. “A little more beat up than I was hoping, but we made it.” I looked up at the rearview mirror and saw the familiar sparkle in Bernie’s eyes.

  “At least it’s not backfiring as we pull up,” I joked, as he got out of the car and walked around to open the door for Brandy and me. I knew he was embarrassed, and I didn’t want to rub it in too much.

  Brandy crawled out of the car, discreetly moving her legs to avoid any mishaps, and I gathered my dress and followed.

  The evening air was still warm, especially after getting out of the air-conditioned limo, and I was finally beginning to feel the weight of my workday roll off. At least I was at a beautiful vineyard, rather than working late like most nights.

  The climbing roses were in full bloom and wove together a brilliantly colored wall of pinks, reds, and whites, which canopied the oversized entrance. The door looked as if they’d stolen it from a castle in Ireland, and I had to admit it was one of my favorite features of the building. I always liked when my parents held a function here.

  “There’s my darling,” I heard my father’s voice boom over everyone else’s. I looked up the stairs and saw him wave as his friends and co-workers parted, allowing me to make my way up the steps.

  “Hey, dad,” I said, holding my dress up so it didn’t drag along the stairs. “You look smashing.”

  My father beamed and extended his arms out toward me. I think it was his zest for life that kept him looking so young. His hair was graying, but it only made him look more distinguished somehow. My dad’s tuxedo looked splendid on him, but my favorite feature was his crooked bowtie. He always gave it a special twist when he knew I was going to be at an event with him. It had been our thing since I was a little girl, and he’d kept up the tradition—much to my stepmom’s dismay. My dad loved teasing her equally as much as he enjoyed entertaining me.

  I gave him a quick kiss on his cheek and took a step back, waiting for Brandy to come up behind me.

  “I have a couple surprises for you,” my dad said, winking.

  “Oh no. That’s never a good thing,” I laughed.

  “I think this time you might be happy about at least one of the two,” he joked, looking at Brandy. “Nice to see you again, Brandy.”

  “Nice to see you too,” she said, shaking my father’s hand.

  I laughed and shook my head. “I didn’t have lunch today at the office, so I’m going to go inside and try to grab a little something,” I said.

  “You’re not overworking yourself, are you?” he asked me and then turned to Brandy. “Is she?”

  Brandy smiled and nodded. “Unfortunately.”

  I only shrugged. “Gotta earn everyone’s respect somehow. Many don’t seem to be all that pleased with someone straight from college coming in at the top.”

  “You’re not straight from college. You grew up in the business. I’m telling you Gabby, if anyone gives you trouble…”

  “Not my style, dad. But thank you,” I said.

  My father turned toward the door and opened it for us to slip into the lobby, but he stayed outside to greet the guests. Once we stepped inside, I had to take a moment to take it all in. The room was fanciful. It had my stepmom’s design work written all over it. The large crystal chandeliers were complimented by massive glass vases, which held pale blue hydrangeas and magenta roses. Ivory silk fabric was draped over all the bare surfaces with lit candles nestled along the pathway, guiding everyone to the ballroom. Not that I was planning on getting married anytime soon, but she’d definitely be the one to
organize it. I looked up to the ceiling and saw more fabric pleated in a billowing design with petals somehow dangling from the center.

  “This is beautiful,” Brandy said. “It’s like the Secret Garden.”

  “And we haven’t even gotten to the ballroom,” I said, laughing. “That’s Carla for you.”

  “Do you have any idea what the surprises might be?” Brandy asked.

  “Not a clue,” I said as we made our way down the hall toward the ballroom. “Kind of makes me nervous.”

  To the left, a line of tables with various auction items on display had captured the attention of many of the attendees and also freed up my path to the ballroom and food.

  “Was that your stomach?” Brandy asked, giggling.

  “You heard that?” I asked, horrified.

  “I think we all did.”

  After spotting a server holding a tray of something edible, I made a mad dash inside the ballroom.

  “Chicken satay with curry sauce,” the female server said, lowering the tray.

  “Sounds marvelous,” I said, grabbing one of the skewers and a napkin. “Thank you so much.”

  “Gabriella,” Carla’s voice rang out from deep within the crowd of people.

  “Do you see my stepmom?” I asked Brandy who had grabbed a skewer as well.

  “I don’t.”

  “Over here,” my stepmom said again. I followed her voice to a waving hand as she motioned us toward her. My stepmom was a sweet person, and I really had no complaints. It’s just…well… she wasn’t my mom.

  “Did your father tell you about the surprises he has in store for you?” she asked, her hazel eyes sparkling.

  I gave her a quick hug and shook my head.

  “Well, if you look in the far corner over there, you’ll see one of them,” she said, smiling. She was dressed in a pale yellow, medium-length cocktail dress, and her short hair was curled, looking somewhat messy but in a good way. She wore her standard string of pearls, and was nervously toying with them.

  Looking across the sea of people, I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to be seeing. I didn’t notice anything that looked out of the ordinary. The lighting in this room was dimmer than the foyer and rather than only silk pleated along the ceiling, there were twisted twigs and flowers tucked along the edges. It was beautiful, but the décor was not offering any answers. Unless I was going to be bringing home several large floral arrangements, I couldn’t see what the surprise was.