And yet, even with all the good luck, I still stood there full of nerves and self-doubt.
Jeannie was the real deal, drop dead sexy, brains and razor wire wit. Those last two I knew first hand from all the snarky, hilariously sharp comments she left scrawled in red ink on my papers. It was almost like she knew I was better than the garbage I handed in and she wanted me to put effort into my work.
I stood outside the bar, both shivering and sweaty and waited for Jeannie to show up. Just as I was about to resign my nose to frostbite, she stepped around the corner.
“Holy fuck,” I breathed as she walked toward me. She looked like a fucking goddess, street lamps lighting her from above and dark hair blowing in the wind.
“Hi,” she said as she came in for a hug. “Holy shit, how long have you been waiting out here? You’re frozen! Let’s get inside.” Jeannie pulled me into the bar and looked around for a table. “I don’t see anything open. Do you want to sit at the bar?”
It took a minute for my brain to thaw but when it did I remembered that I had a plan. “Not necessary,” I said and led her to a private back area reserved for large parties.
As soon as Jeannie agreed to a date I called the owner of the bar and reserved the back room. Then I called my cousin Serene. She was the personal assistant to a self-made billionaire and had contacts everywhere and could get pretty much anything done in a few hours. One call to her and she’d organized and designed everything, and hired everyone I needed to make this night the best date Jeannie had ever had.
“Whoa,” Jeannie whispered as we entered the back room.
I stifled a “whoa” myself. Serene had outdone herself.
“Is all this for me?” Jeannie asked.
I nodded and led her to the only table in the center of the room. I pulled out her chair and Jeannie looked around the room.
Serene was getting an extra nice Christmas present this year. I’d said I wanted something romantic but this, this was something out of a movie. Warm-hued string lights draping the length of the ceiling and a few candles were the only light source in the room. A string trio played softly in the corner as a low fire crackled in the fireplace across the room.
There were no menus on the table, just our place settings and a bottle of champagne. Within moments a young waiter appeared, filling our water glasses and pouring the champagne. Then, two formal waiters came with tiny plates of amuse-bouches.
“Good evening,” said the older waiter as they placed the plates in front of us. “Tonight you have the honor of dining on Chef Francis’ five-course tasting menu. We begin with a selection of amuse-bouches.” I stole a quick glance at Jeannie. Jesus, she was beautiful, perfect posture, pouty mouth, attentive, sparkling eyes focused on the waiter. “Chef has designed this menu to effortlessly build flavors from one course to the next. First is the pork belly topped with a currant glaze,” he gestured to the leftmost item on our plates. “Then we have a savory pâté macaron, which you will enjoy most in one bite followed by a sip of champagne. Then lastly, we come to the deviled quail egg topped with the barest hint of dill and chili powder, also enjoyed best in one bite.”
“Wow,” Jeannie said looking at her plate.
The waiter smiled at us both. “Take your time, enjoy the food and each other, and we’ll take care of everything.” He and the other waiter disappeared behind a partition, leaving Jeannie gaped mouthed and staring at me.
“What did you do?” she whispered.
“I wanted you to have the best first date you’d ever had,” I said simply and popped the pork belly in my mouth. “Oh my god,” I said as the delicious, soft meat melted into a very satisfying bacony-flavor. “I’m no stranger to Michelin rated food, but this...”
“Heavenly,” Jeannie finished my thought, eyes rolling up as she swallowed. “I’ve never had such amazing pork belly.”
I smiled, raising the champagne flute in Jeannie’s direction. “To amazing food, an amazing night and an amazing woman.”
Jeannie smiled as our glasses clinked. “Very smooth, Noah,” she said around the rim of her glass and took a sip. “Oh wow, this champagne is...”
“The best I’ve ever had.” This time I finished her thought.
She nodded and set the glass down. “Tell me, Noah, why’d you go to all this trouble?”
“I already said. I wanted you to have the best first date of your life.”
“Yes, but why?” she prodded further, golden eyes sparkling in the candlelight.
I looked at my plate and popped the savory macaron in my mouth. I wasn’t ready to give up all my secrets. I didn’t want to scare her off and tell her I’d wanted to ask her out the moment I saw her. “Because you deserve it,” I said simply. As the waiter instructed, I took a sip of champagne and the smooth, meaty flavor of the pâté turned into something fruity and smoky when the bubbles hit my tongue.
Jeannie and I looked at each other wide-eyed and smiling.
“I’ve had my share of five-star food but this is something else entirely,” Jeannie said, fanning herself.
I nodded. Serene wasn’t just getting an awesome Christmas gift. I’d buy my cousin whatever the hell she wanted.
Five courses and a bottle of champagne later, Jeannie and I were leaned across the table, holding hands and I was spilling my secrets to her.
“The care facility was amazing, the best in the state in fact. But, because it was on the west side, and visiting hours were so short, Nick and I were often late to Webb’s class. They passed in September but then we were tied up in the legal junk of their estate.” I hadn’t told anyone about my parents in a very long time. Jeannie didn’t look at me with pity or concern, she listened and let me talk until I felt lighter about it. “Our last meeting was today, so I won’t be late anymore. All that’s left is to sell the house.”
“The house you live in?”
“Yeah. It’s weird. Nick moved out as soon as he could but for whatever reason I stayed. I guess a part of me always hoped they’d wake up and come home and we’d be a family again. Not that we were much of one when they were alive. But, I don’t know, maybe the part of me that wasn’t angry about how terrible they were at being parents, just wanted them to be okay.”
Jeannie nodded and squeezed my hand. “I wish I’d known. I wouldn’t have been so hard on you guys.”
“No, that’s what I needed. That’s one of the reasons I’m so drawn to you, Jeannie. You push me to be better, I love that about you.”
She ducked her head down, but not before I caught the blush spreading up from her neckline. “Thank you,” she said softly.
“Did you enjoy the meal?” I asked as the waiters cleared the table.
She smirked at me. “I think you know the answer to that.”
I smirked back. “Good. Then you’re really going to like what I’ve got planned next.” I took her hand and led her to the front of the bar. “Grab your coat.”
When we were both bundled up, I opened the bar door for her.
Jeannie gasped, eyes wide and gloved hands covering her mouth. “You didn’t!” she squealed.
“I did.” I climbed the two steps into the carriage and held my hand out to her. “Your chariot awaits, my lady.”
Instead of taking my hand, she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and held up a finger. “Just one minute,” she said and ran to the man atop the carriage. “You take care of these horses, right?”
“Yes ma’am,” the man said. “They only work three hours a night and they get a break in the middle. These Clydesdales are the envy of the city.”
Jeannie smiled and nodded at the man and then climbed up with me. I covered our legs in wool blanket stowed under the seat and pulled her close. She leaned into me, resting her head on my shoulder. “I’ve never been on such a romantic date before.”
“Well, I’m glad I was able to surprise you.”
She sighed and wrapped her arms around me. “You’re not what I thought, Noah.”
I didn�
��t want to ruin the moment and ask her what she thought I was. Instead, I laid a kiss on top her head and enjoyed being close to her. The carriage ride was touristy and kitschy and the horses smelled just a little. But the look on her face and having her so close made it worth it. We went up and down the block, talking about our hopes and dreams, touching on the painful parts of our childhoods, finding out we both enjoy British comedy, and when the carriage dropped us back off at in front of the restaurant I found myself unwilling to end the date.
But I knew better. I wouldn’t invite Jeannie home. I wanted a real relationship with her. I wanted to get to know her. It took every bit of self-control I had, but I said goodnight and walked her to the subway station.
“I had a great night,” I said.
She looked up at me, shivering slightly. “I did too, Noah.”
“When can I see you again?” Jeannie bit her lip as a shadow crossed her features. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Nothing. Are you free tomorrow?”
I grinned at her. I couldn’t help it. “Certainly.”
She nodded, shadow of sadness on her face once more. “Really, what’s wrong?” I asked.
Jeannie smiled at me. “Nothing you need to worry about now. Now kiss me so we can end our perfect date perfectly.”
I did just that. Champagne and still on her lips, I kissed Jeannie Kingston with as much restraint as I could muster. My hand slid down her back as I pulled her closer. I broke off before I got too deep and couldn’t stop myself.
She looked at me, eyes hazy with lust. “Jesus fuck, what am I going to do?”
“Wha...?”
“Never mind.” She shook her head and her features went back to normal. “My house, two p.m., here’s my number.” She put her number in my phone and handed it back to me. “Text me so I have yours.” She backed away, taking a step into the subway station. “I have to catch the next one,” she said. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” And with that Jeannie Kingston ran down the steps into the East street subway station.
I watched her descent, knowing that if I had my way, Jeannie would be the women I’d spend the rest of my life with.
Chapter Thirteen
Jeannie
Fuck, fuck, FUCK!
That didn’t go at all how I expected. Instead of affirming my suspicion that Noah was just a pretty face, he blew me away with the most romantic date I’d ever been on.
He opened up to me about his parents and his awful childhood and fuck, I really liked him too.
Now, instead of getting everyone on the same page for a one-shot menage, which would have been difficult for sure, I had to somehow convince the Mercer brothers into not just a casual, emotionless threesome, but a real three-way relationship. They were never going to go for it.
What the hell was I going to do?
My phone buzzed—Noah messaging me his number.
I took a breath and found Nick’s number. I wasn’t hiding from this. I wasn’t going to date them both without their knowledge, that wasn’t my style. And certainly wasn’t going to give up on my desire to have them both. I sent Nick a text asking to meet me tomorrow at my place. He agreed. Great. Now all I had to do was figure out how to convince two brothers to share me.
As soon as I got off the subway I called Cass.
She answered on the first ring. “So, how was it?”
“Wonderful! Noah’s sweet and sensitive and so romantic,” I said, rounding the corner to my street.
“Really? He comes off so cocky and kinda angry.”
“I know! Neither are what I expected. I was certain I’d dislike them both, which I didn’t mind cause they’re still hot as fuck. I thought it was going to be a one-off kind of thing. But, now that I’ve gotten to know them a little, I’m starting to think I want to date them both.”
“You’re kidding.”
“I wish I were.”
“Well, what are you going to do?”
“The only thing I can do,” I said and took the steps to the brownstone two at a time. “Lay it all on the table and see what happens. They’re coming over tomorrow. Hi, Lucifer,” I said, bending to pet him.
“Jesus, Jeannie. You are one boss-ass-bitch.”
Cass and I talked for a bit longer about work and when I hung up I didn’t feel any better about tomorrow. It loomed over me like a storm cloud.
I needed to clear my head. “Wanna go for a walk, Lucifer?” His ears pricked at the question. “Come on, silly boy. Let’s go.” We circled the block twice before I remembered someone else had done this, pretty publicly I might add, before me. I just didn’t know her personally. The Upper East Side was a fairly tight-knit community, so I was certain to know someone who did. I sent a mass text to everyone I knew here, asking if they had Abby Snow’s number.
Abby and her sister Alicia were Upper East Side royalty. They showed up at all the important parties, had a powerful father and had conquered the business world. But Abby was infamous for a different reason. A few years ago Page Six the tabloid magazine caught her with two guys at the Opera Ball. If anyone knew how to deal with my situation, it was Abby Snow.
As soon as I got back to the Brownstone with Lucifer, someone texted me her number. I called her that instant.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Abby, this is Jeannie Kingston, you don’t know me but...”
“I know who you are. You’re Frank and Alice’s daughter. What can I do for you?’
Huh. I guess New York royalty really did know everyone in their kingdom. “Um, right. Well, here’s the thing.” I explained everything to her, sparing no detail.
Abby was quiet for quite some time. “It’s not an easy life, the one your choosing. But it can be done. I’m proof of that.”
“Right. That’s why I called you. But how do I get them on the same page? How do I tell them this is what I want and not have them run away screaming and thinking I’m crazy?”
Abby sighed. “My husbands and I weren’t in your situation. They already knew they liked to share when they approached me, so I don’t have any firsthand advice to give you.”
I deflated. I was really counting on her having some kind of nugget of wisdom I could hold onto.
“However, I will say, all people respond to genuine authenticity. Tell your men what you’ve told me. Tell them just the way you told me, too. It’s quite a tale and it’s your best shot at a positive result.”
I nodded. It made sense. I couldn’t worry about trying to win them over or persuade them into it. I could only tell them what I felt and hope they felt the same.
“I admire your bravery, Jeannie. Do let me know how everything goes.”
“Thank you, Abbey. I might. If it goes well. If it doesn’t, well, I might just move to another planet.” I ended the call, still worried, still unsure I could actually handle the pain of a horrible outcome, but certain I could at least tell them how I felt.
Chapter Fourteen
Nick
Sunday I woke up earlier than I ever had on a weekend. I was excited. Grabbing my gloves and hat, I went for a run up Madison Avenue. I got up to 60th Street and still hadn’t drained off my excitement so I cut over and ran through Central Park until I couldn’t feel my legs.
I headed back to the hotel, picturing Jeannie coming clean and telling me she only wanted to see me. I hated to think that my brother might get hurt, but damn, the thought of Jeannie picking me was a pretty great one. The rest of the day slogged by. I couldn’t wait to see her again. But eventually the minutes turned to hours and I was on her front porch with a bouquet of dahlias.
“Hi. Ooooh! Those are my favorite! How did you know?” Jeannie hugged me and pulled me inside. Something was off about her demeanor. I couldn’t quite name it, but she seemed different.
“So, what’s on the agenda today? Brunch? Netflix and cuddles?” I asked as the ugliest dog I’d ever seen spun in circles in front of me.
“That’s Lucifer. He’s a rescue,” Jeannie said, laying the flowers on th
e foyer table.
I shrugged out of my coat and put it on the coat rack on top of a very familiar looking coat.
“Huh, that looks like...” My jaw dropped as Jeannie led me to the sitting room. It looked like my brother’s coat because it was. “What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing,” Noah said and got up from the sofa. “Jeannie, what’s going on here?”
Thanksgiving for Three: An MFM Romance (Holiday Studs Book 2) Page 5
