I smile brightly at him and squeeze his arm. “That would be wonderful. Thank you, Den. And please, call me Talia.”
He nods and walks me up the stairs. Without consciously realizing it, people move out of Den’s way. His imposing build and height are like an invisible force field. I smile at the effect he has on everyone without even trying. “No wonder Mr. Blake hired you. This is like ‘red sea’ awesome.”
As we move off the last step and into the crowd near the church doors, Den lets out a deep laugh. “You’re so refreshing, Talia. It’s my pleasure. Anytime.”
When I look over and see Adam staring at Den, I release my hold on him. “Thank you for the escort. I believe Mr. Blake needs you.”
Den doesn’t even look Adam’s way. He just gives me a slight nod and glides through the crowd toward his boss.
“Talia!” Mina calls excitedly as she weaves her way through the people, her charcoal wool coat flapping around her calves. Josi is propped on her hip wearing an adorable white dress under a fur-trimmed winter coat.
When I touch her coat’s fuzzy hood and smile at Josi, Mina waves her hand. “It looks real, but it’s faux. I’m so glad you’re here early.” Craning her neck, she turns to look for her parents. “I wanted to introduce you to my mom, but it looks like she and my father might have already gone inside. Where’s Sebastian? The pastor wants Josi, me, you, and my brother to come inside now.”
“He’s down there talking to Calder…” I start to say, then trail off when I glance down the stairs to see a tall woman with long dark hair hugging Sebastian. Pulling back, she grins at him then swipes his hat off his head and drops it down on hers.
“Calder’s here?” Mina practically squeals in my ear. Before I can ask who the woman flirting with Sebastian is, Mina’s curled blonde hair is flowing behind her as she races down the stairs, excitedly saying, “Calder Blake. I can’t believe you came!”
While Calder swoops she and Josi into a huge bear hug, spinning them around, my gaze stays locked on Sebastian and the brunette. She’s standing in his personal space, fiddling with his lapel. He reaches for his hat, but she backs just out of his range, laughing as she holds it on her head.
“They are striking together, aren’t they?” a woman’s husky voice says next to me. When I look at her, Isabel turns cool blue eyes my way, her face flushed from the frigid air. “Regan should be standing up there during the ceremony, but despite my best efforts, I can’t control the whims of my flighty daughter.”
Regan. That’s the girl who Sebastian had a semi-relationship with when he first got back from leaving the service. The girl’s obvious familiarity with him makes sense, while also making me nauseous. But as much as Isabel’s statement about Sebastian and Regan bothers me, it’s her comment about her own child that I focus on. “Mina’s not flighty, Mrs. Blake. She’s had a rough time of it, so maybe instead of tearing her down, you could try to lift her up.”
Isabel narrows her gaze on me, her breath coming out her nose in long, dragon-like plumes. “How dare you tell me how to be a mother, you conniving little gold-digger. You might’ve snowed my husband, but I’ll be perfectly clear with you. You will never see a penny of Blake money. Your role as godmother is just window dressing.”
I shake my head at her vitriol, not at all surprised by her one-track mind. No wonder Sebastian despises her so deeply. “The great thing about not being motivated by money or social status, is that I have nothing to lose. It would be wise if you steered clear of me, Mrs. Blake. I have no problem calling you out, whenever and wherever you deserve it. My only priority is Mina and Josi’s well-being.”
“Uncouth trash,” Isabel utters before walking away in a huff, her heels clicking on the hard floor in the church’s entryway.
A petite woman close to Mina’s age approaches. Tucking her wavy, shoulder-length black hair behind her ear, she wrinkles her nose, a spattering of freckles showing up along her smooth light brown skin. “That was better than reality TV. Now I see why Mina chose you as godmother over us.”
I smile and hold out my hand. “I’m Talia. You must be one of Mina’s childhood friends.”
She nods and shakes my hand, dark brown eyes reflecting amused respect as she releases me. “I’m Laura. I’ve never seen anyone stand up to Isabel like that.” Tilting her head toward the bottom of the stairs, she continues, “Not even Regan. We deserve second chair.”
“Second chair?”
She nods. “Yeah, Mina’s mother insisted that she have more than one godmother, so Regan and I get the honor of second godmother, for lack of a better term. Which basically means we get to sit upfront beside Isabel in the pew during the ceremony.”
“Ah, I see,” I say, offering a smile of sympathy that she has to be anywhere near Isabel.
At that moment, Mina shoulders her way back through friends and family with Sebastian in tow. Josi is giggling while her mom happily calls out, “Coming through with the girl of the hour.”
Quickly passing by, Mina says to Sebastian, “Grab Talia. The ceremony starts in ten minutes, but Pastor Meyer wants us there now.”
Though surprise reflects in his eyes, Sebastian doesn’t hesitate to clasp my hand and pull me inside the church with them.
After the stoic-faced pastor with a bone-crushing grip tells Sebastian and me where to stand during the christening ceremony, and then turns to Mina to discuss a couple last minute details, Sebastian says, “Why didn’t you tell me Mina asked you to be Josi’s godmother?”
I offer an apologetic shrug. “When you invited me to come with you today, I realized that you had no idea Mina had asked me. I didn’t know what to tell you. What if Mina wanted to surprise you?”
He snorts. “She certainly accomplished that.”
His sharp quip makes my chest hurt. “Is it so hard to believe she would ask me?” I say, frowning slightly. I glance toward the front pew where Regan and Laura are seated next to Isabel, Adam, Gavin, and Damien. “Do you think Regan is a better choice to stand up here with you?”
“What?”
“Talia, Sebastian, it’s time,” Mina whispers, beckoning us.
As Sebastian and I walk forward, and then turn to the side to wait for the ceremony to begin, I catch a glimpse of Regan staring at Sebastian with heat in her gaze. When she turns to whisper something in Laura’s ear, then gives me a smug look, I swallow the bile in my throat. Based on Laura’s scandalously shocked expression, it’s probably something kinky she and Sebastian have done.
The pastor calls us forward to stand beside Mina and all my focus shifts to Sebastian’s little sister and her child. And as I watch the love in Mina’s eyes as she holds a squirming Josi still for the pastor to pour water over her head, I can’t help but hope for an unconditional love in my own life one day.
Do Sebastian and I even have a chance? Or were we doomed from the start, each of us carrying too much baggage for the other to handle. Cass’ last words come back to me. If anyone’s worth the risk of losing my heart to, it’s Sebastian.
As the pastor discusses the important role godparents play in shaping the life of a child, I look at Sebastian and see him staring at me with an unfathomable depth of emotion. I smile, and just as he returns it, the pastor turns to us.
“In lieu of traditional vows, Mina has chosen a different one today.” Opening the pamphlet he’s holding, he continues, “These ribbons represent your commitment to Josi. Speak from the heart as you tie your bow on each wrist, binding your word and your hearts with hers. Sebastian, you take yours first.”
My pulse rises as I stare at the two quarter-inch-wide ribbons, ten inches in length lying side by side in the crease of the pamphlet. One is baby pink and one is baby blue. Sebastian won’t be able to tell the colors apart. Why would Mina do this to Sebastian?
I glance to her for help, but Josi is keeping her mom busy by working herself up to a good cry. Mina is too distracted to rescue Sebastian, so I quickly reach over and grab the pink one. When the pastor frowns disap
provingly at me for not waiting my turn, I smile sheepishly and whisper, “Sorry, I’m just so excited.”
Sebastian chuckles and takes his ribbon, then gestures for me to go first.
I tie the delicate ribbon in a bow around Josi’s tiny wrist now that Mina has settled her. Josi’s big green eyes stare up at me as I rub my fingers through her blonde baby-soft curls. “Little Josi, you and I are going to have great adventures together. There will never be a puzzle you can’t solve or a mystery you can’t figure out. You will grow up smart and brave, and you’ll never fear failure, because you’ll know that no matter what, you’re protected and loved for just being you.”
Sebastian ties his ribbon around Josi’s other wrist in a very neat bow. I smile at his military precision and patience despite the baby’s flapping arm. Cupping her entire head in his big hand, he bends down and kisses the top of it, then says, “Josi-bean, there’s no greater protector than your Uncle Sebastian. You concentrate on growing up strong-minded and fearless, and I’ll take care of the riff-raff. Enough said.”
As the entire congregation laughs at Sebastian’s no-nonsense vow, I can’t help but smile. It’s so Sebastian. Watching him kiss the baby’s head about does me in though. I sniff back the tears that cloud my vision. He is everything I want. Everything. Can I convince him to keep me—to want us—forever?
When the ceremony is over and after the photographer has taken tons of pictures of us with Mina and Josi, my heart skips a beat when I hear Adam call Sebastian’s name as the crowd disperses out of the church.
“Sebastian, a word please.”
I try not to stare when Sebastian walks out of the church to speak to his father, but Mina distracts me, gripping onto my arm. “I’m so horrified.”
“By what?” I glance around to see where Josi is. Isabel is showing her off to some friends. Resisting the urge to walk over and snatch the baby away from her grandmother, I say calmly, “I thought the ceremony went well.”
Mina looks on the verge of tears. “The ribbons, Talia. I provided a red and navy blue one to make sure Sebastian wouldn’t have an issue, but the pastor is very traditional. He switched them without telling me.”
I lay my hand over hers. “It all worked out. Sebastian doesn’t blame you.”
“Only because you jumped in. I can’t thank you enough for fixing my blunder.”
I release her hand and hug her, whispering in her ear, “We’re family, Mina.”
She hugs me back, squeezing me super tight. “Thank you for storming your way into my life.”
I laugh and squeeze her back. “I’ll be waiting for an invite to that girls’ night out you promised.”
Pulling back, Mina smiles. “And thank you for the lovely bracelet for Josi. I especially love the heart. Your gift is coming later tonight. You’ll see why.”
I nod my understanding, a little sad to see she’s not wearing the floating heart I gave her. Not that I expected her to wear it everyday. All that really matters was the thought behind it. Asking me to be her child’s godmother pretty much solidifies that Mina trusts I’ll keep my word.
“Here, she’s getting fussy,” Isabel says, handing Josi back to Mina. Eyeing me, she continues, “It would’ve been a much nicer ceremony if you hadn’t been so rude to the pastor by jumping in front of Sebastian like you did. You’ll never see him again, but I have to see that man every Sunday.”
“Mother!” Mina looks like she’s about to explode, but I put a restraining hand on her arm where she’s holding Josi on her hip.
“I apologize for my overzealousness, Mrs. Blake.”
She sniffs and tilts her chin up. “See that you don’t teach my grandchild such uncivilized behavior. It won’t be tolerated.”
As her mother walks away, Mina looks at me, her eyes full of abject apology.
I just smile. “She’s exhausting, isn’t she?”
Mina starts giggling and can’t stop. She’s giggling so much Josi starts laughing, which is the sweetest sound. I start to laugh too. Laura comes over to see what’s so funny and Josi’s laugh draws her in as well. We’re all still chuckling as we walk into the church’s entryway together. I let the girls walk out and slip into the bathroom.
When I leave the bathroom, I’m surprised to see Calder open a side Exit door instead of walking out the way everyone else has.
“Calder, right?” I call out quietly.
His broad shoulders tense and he turns to look at me, light brown eyebrows pulling down. “You’re Josi’s godmother, but we’ve never met. How do you know me?”
I approach and hold my hand out. “You met me as ‘Scarlett’ at that masked party for Mina a few years ago. I’m Talia.”
A brief smile registers in his serious expression as he takes my hand, vivid green eyes skimming over my face. “Ah, Scarlett of the Red Hood. You’re much prettier without your mask.”
“Thank you,” I say with a smile, then gesture to the main entrance. “Why aren’t you leaving that way?”
Pain flickers in his expression for a split second before he releases our clasped hands. “I came for Mina and Josi, but I can only handle so much family time.”
I tilt my head, studying his expression. The loneliness in his eyes breaks my heart. “I’m sure Sebastian would love to have a drink with you now that the christening is over.”
“Yeah, he mentioned it, but…” Calder spears his hand through his short hair, then rubs the back of his neck and exhales a long breath. “I’m not…I just can’t be here right now.”
He starts to turn away, but then looks back at me. “Would you do me a favor though? Can you tell Celeste that I appreciated her letter more than she’ll ever know, and… apologize to her for me for not writing back? My life kind of went sideways right after that party.”
Did Cass send him a letter as Celeste? Why didn’t she tell me? I know he’s referring to his father passing away, but I don’t want to bring up a painful memory, so I quickly nod. “I’ll tell her.” And even though I want to tell him the truth about Celeste, I don’t know if he’s in the right frame of mind to hear it, but I want to give him something that’ll brighten his day. “I’ll bet she’d love to hear from you. It’s never too late to reconnect, Calder.”
A half smile tilts his lips as he slides his hands in his suit pant pockets. “You think so?”
If he and Cass start communicating via email, she can meet him in person and tell him who she really is. The truth should come from her, not me. I lift my hands and smile. “What do you have to lose?”
He shrugs, glancing toward the church entryway where people are outside chatting and laughing. “Not much.”
It makes me sad that he feels so disconnected from his family. “Would you like her contact information?”
He shakes his head. “No, I’ve got it. Thanks, Talia.”
At least he kept it. As he opens the door, I say, “Please touch base with Sebastian and let him know how you’re doing. He’s been worried about you.”
Calder snorts and gives me a “you really don’t know my cousin very well” look. “Bash never worries.”
Before I can tell him how wrong he is, he’s gone, the door quietly clicking closed behind him.
When I step outside, I glance around, looking for Sebastian. Regan has cornered him outside yet again. Apparently she’d grabbed his hat from the church pew, and now she’s flirting with him once more. Makes me wonder why he even brought it. The moment he walked into the church, he took it off. Then again, it is part of his uniform.
Instead of walking over and snatching the damn hat out of her hand like I want to, I decide to wait by the car. Too many uncivilized moments in a row might revoke my godmother card. Since most all the guests have already driven home, I can see our car from here. I hug Mina and Josi goodbye. While Mina’s chatting with Laura, I wave to Den as he walks out of the church ahead of the Blakes, then start down the sidewalk. At least someone has cleared the snow from earlier, leaving me a clear path.
Cars zoom by, horns beeping. Always in a rush to get around someone. I shiver as cold air blows against my coat and turn my collar up, then push my hands deeper into the pockets. Staring at the steep pile of snow that has been pushed along the backside of the sidewalk, growing taller as I head down the street, I let my mind wonder. I would’ve crawled all over that as a kid and used it for cover in snowball fights. At one point, the pile of snow completely covers the three-foot brick wall that frames the small courtyards in front of the homes lining the street. I grin when I see that the mound grows to over six feet farther down. Now that would make an awesome hill for King of the Mountain.
“Talia!” Sebastian calls my name at the same time I hear his footfalls coming up behind me fast and hard. I pause, his tone is so sharp and full of alarm, I glance over my shoulder.
“Run!” he yells at the same time I see a fast moving car fully jump the curb not thirty feet behind him, racing out of control.
I start running, but the snow is blocking my way on the left and other cars are driving by on the right, completely ignoring the car careening down the sidewalk. The only path I have to run is straight ahead.
My lungs burn and running in heels is crushing my toes, but I keep pushing forward. I yelp when I’m suddenly yanked off my feet. Sebastian’s arm is a steel band around my waist and we’re climbing up the huge mound of snow. I try to help, but he’s much bigger and faster. All I can do is touch my toes to the snow and pray he gets us out of the way.
The force of the car hitting the pile of snow, its back end jackknifing into the front of a parked car, sends us careening over the edge. Sebastian turns as we fall, taking most of the impact as we roll the rest of the way down into the snow-covered yard. When we finally stop, I land on his chest, facing him. Heavy clumps of snow rain down on us, and my forehead stings, but at least the danger is over. The brick wall and heavily packed snow stopped the car.
While I try to regain my breath, Sebastian grasps my head between his hands. “Shit, I thought—” He cuts off and swallows. “Are you okay?”
Blackest Red Page 20
