“Date?” Serena blinks a few times, as I stand in stunned silence. “How did you forget to mention that?”
“I didn’t forget to mention anything.” My lips purse. “I’m not your date tonight. I’m the party planner which means, I fly solo.”
Wyatt tsks his tongue and shakes his head, those damn eyes of his filled with humor. “Not so fast, Gia. You asked me if I had a date, and I said no. I assumed that meant a date for the party. I’ve been looking forward to it for over a week now. Are you seriously going to break my heart like this?”
“You’re out of control. You know that I meant a calendar date for the party, not an actual date with me. I don’t have time to do this with you right now.” I shrug him off and turn my attention to Serena.
“Fill me in on the bathroom situation.” I follow her into the hallway as she fills me in on the problem. While the rest of the estate was remodeled, the bathrooms didn’t get as much love. Old Victorian bathrooms aren’t exactly amazing, and from the look on her face, I can tell that these don’t measure up at all.
“They’re at least clean, so that’s a bonus. But the walls are gross. I think they were white at one point, but now they look yellow. The faucets and fixtures are fine, and the toilets will do, but the walls ruin the whole thing.”
Serena shows me around all of the bathrooms on the ballroom floor. There is a total of six, and each one looks worse than the last. I always inspect the bathrooms before I book a venue, but since Wyatt did the booking, I actually didn’t set foot in here prior to today. But I refuse to let a little bathroom fiasco get me down. I scribble my notes on a scrap sheet of paper, and then pass it to Serena.
“Take a picture of this and call Lisa. I’ll handle the labor.”
In two short phone calls, we solve the problem. I don’t have the time, nor the authority to repaint the bathrooms, but what I do have, is the hookup on contact paper. It adheres to the wall easily, is simple to hang, and looks the same as wallpaper. The absolute best part about it is that it peels off with a simple tug and doesn’t damage the walls.
I explain my plan to Wyatt, who nods his head in agreement.
“Damn, Gia. I’m impressed.”
“Thanks.” I wink at him. “They don’t call me the Queen for nothing.” I’m joking, obviously. Being called the Queen of happily after is quite cringy, to be honest. But it’s one of those nicknames that just stuck and was tied to my name. As cringy as it may be, it drummed up a lot of business for me. At least, until shit hit the fan.
“They may call you queen, but I prefer Princess.”
“I prefer neither.”
We head back to the ballroom, and I show Wyatt around. He listens intently as I explain to him how the night will go. Since it’s a black-tie affair, the wait staff will be dressed accordingly. They’ll carry champagne around on crystal platters, serving guests as they walk through the door. Wyatt will give his toast to the bride and groom at quarter to seven, and then dinner will be served immediately after. The caterer has had no issues, and aside from the bathrooms, everything else has gone off without a hitch.
“I feel like I underpaid you.”
I’m just about to wave him off, when he takes a step closer to me, instantly causing all of the air to leave my lungs in a rush. I manage to do alright around the man, when he’s far enough away that his body heat doesn’t collide with mine. But as close as he’s standing to me, I can hardly take a breath without inhaling him. And as his scent washes over me, my knees get weak and all of my sense goes out of the window. I take a step back, trying to put some distance between us, but he all but ignores my need for boundaries, coming even closer to me until I have nowhere left to run.
“You don’t want to be my date tonight because I’m your client. That much, I understand.” The way that his eyes focus on mine causes my heart to race in my chest, fogging up my brain and riddling me senseless. “But, go on a date with me. A real date. I’ll wear a nice suit. You can wear a fancy dress. I’ll buy you flowers and take you to dinner. I’ll be the perfect gentleman, if that’s what you want. I’m also willing to bring you back to my place and fuck you senseless. Take your pick, Princess. Either way, you should give me a chance and let me show you that I’m a lot different from the boy you used to know.”
That’s the problem with giving chances. Especially second chances. He already fooled me once, and shame on him for that. But if I allow him to do it a second time, then it’s shame on me. I’m not eighteen anymore, and I’m certainly not blinded by his gorgeous smile and his dashing good looks. I know that he wants me to choose the second option, and I’m certain that if I went that route with him, the only thing that I would wake up with is regret. I’d be yet another notch in his belt, another conquest successfully mastered. He may be older, but he’s the same damn slick talking playboy.
That’s the last thing that I need right now.
“No.” How I manage to turn him down, I’ll never know. The air is so thick between us, that I can hardly form the word. Yet somehow, I do. But as I step past him and move across the room, I hear the words that he mumbles under his breath, clear as day.
“Fight it all you want, Gia. You and I both know that this shit’s going to happen between us no matter how hard you keep trying to fight it.”
20
Wyatt
I’m impressed by how many people turned out for Willow’s party. I’m less impressed that my mother decided to show up, but so far, she’s managed to keep herself together, so that’s a huge bonus. Mom’s always been sloppy, and the more she drinks, the more of a hot mess that she becomes. I can’t even count the times that she’s humiliated my sister and me, and to be frank, I didn’t want to invite her to begin with. But Willow insisted, and since it’s her party, there was no way that I could deny her of that. But I’m keeping a close eye on the woman.
“Dude.” Declan fist bumps me. He’s dressed to kill in a slick gray suit, beaming like a little kid on Christmas morning. “Well done. And the guest list…” He kisses his fingers and winks. “Impeccable taste, my friend.” I’ll be the first to admit it, I’ve been a bit of a man whore in my day. When I first decided to throw this party, Gia wasn’t even a blip on my radar. I was my usual fun-loving self and wanted this party to be packed and fun for my baby sis, so I invited almost my entire contact list. The only problem with that list, is that it’s a bit heavy on the female side.
Normally, I’d be in my glory, since we’re surrounded by beautiful women. But with every woman that approaches me, tracing the buttons on my shirt with their fingers, the more my irritation grows. Mostly because I’ve already caught Gia’s stare a few times, and she seems less than impressed with all of the attention that I’m getting.
“The bartenders are a nice touch, too.” Declan nods toward the bar, where the three gorgeous blonds are currently mixing drinks. “I’m calling dibs on the one in the middle. Hope you don’t mind, bro. I know that you used to hook up with her, but she’s fucking smoking. Sharing still caring?”
“On that one?” I tilt my chin towards her. “All yours, buddy.”
I could care less about the bartender, or any other woman here for that matter. Gia has my full attention.
I took one look at her when I walked into the party and realized I was in for one hell of a night. The way that she looks in her lace sleeved, full length dress that hugs every one of her God given curves is enough to put even the most scantily clad woman here to shame. She’s beautiful on a normal day, but with her hair tumbling in waves down her back and red lipstick on her lips, simply put, she’s stunning.
But the sexiest thing about her is the way that she runs the party seamlessly, all while sipping the same glass of champagne and making small talk with guests. People are drawn to her, but I guess they always has been. Gia’s a Princess at heart.
“It’d be ok if you drank that glass of champagne, you know.” I tip my head close to Gia’s, placing my hand underneath her elbow and leading her off to
the side of the room, away from the guests. “It’s got to be piss warm by now.”
One side of her plush mouth rises, her brow arched. “How do you know that I’ve been carrying around the same glass of champagne?” I don’t even try to hide it. I lean towards her, my eyes locking with hers.
“Because you’re the most beautiful woman in this room, Princess. I can’t keep my eyes off of you.” She shrugs me off as if my words don’t affect her, but the slight blush on her cheeks says something else completely.
I used to make her blush so easily. It was one of my favorite things about her. Things are different now. She’s a grown woman, I’m a man that’s desperate for a taste of her. To experience now what I deprived myself of back then. One way or another, I’m going to convince her to give me a chance.
“Still slick, I see.” She sets her glass down on the far end of the bar. “And you’re right about the champagne.”
I motion for the waiter and exchange the glasses, handing her a fresh, iced stemmed bubbly. “This was a nice touch.” I would have never thought to ice champagne glasses, but the guests love it. I’ve had people mention it more times that I can count.
She nods towards the bar. “The bartenders were a nice touch, too.”
The way that she says it, I already know that she knows I slept with one of them. She was here earlier than I was today, and I know how women talk. I’m sure she either overheard something, or it was mentioned directly to her. Either way, the look of disgust in her eyes says it all. “It’s usually not a good idea to mix business with pleasure. It can get messy really quick.”
“I know.” I tip my finger underneath her chin, turning her eyes back towards mine when she looks away from me, planning her escape. “She doesn’t matter, Gia.” The blond bartender being here tonight was a coincidence. I barely remember hooking up with her, let alone her name. “Plus,” I raise my beer towards Declan, where he’s been standing at the bar for the last fifteen minutes, deep in conversation with her. “I think she’s got a thing for Declan.” Her hand is wrapped around his wrist, and she’s laughing like he told her the funniest joke that she’s ever heard. Everything about her body language is telling. No doubt she’s going home with him tonight.
Gia watches them for a second, taking another tiny sip of her champagne before turning to me.
“Weird.” She tosses her hair over her shoulder, and then smooths out her dress with one hand. “Well, I should be getting back to the party. I want to check on Willow.”
Almost all of the people here tonight are my people. My friends, my acquaintances invited some of her friends from high school, but most couldn’t make it across the country on such short notice. I wanted her party to be packed with people, so I invited everyone that I knew. But my friends have really stepped up tonight, making sure that my sister is having a good time since she doesn’t know many of the people here, besides the guys on my team.
She’s currently out on the dance floor with Jude and his crazy ass group of old ladies that he brings everywhere. She looks like she’s having the time of her life. I nod my head towards the dance floor. “Trust me, she’s fine. She never gets out on the dance floor, but Jude got her out there. I haven’t seen her smile that big in a long time.”
She shakes her head. “Who knew that Jude Masters had a soft spot for elderly women?” Behind Jude and Willow, is his normal entourage. Twenty dirty mouthed, little old ladies. “You should have heard what some of them said to me!”
“Nothing would surprise me.” I shake my head. “You have no idea the abuse I’ve suffered at those women’s hands.” Jude owns a retirement home where twenty elderly women reside. Those ladies spend twenty-four hours a day trying to get laid and have mouths that would make a sailor blush. I’ve been spanked, swatted, pinched and nearly fondled at all of their hands. I’ve learned to keep a good six feet between myself and them at all times, which has saved me from blushing every second that they’re around.
I pull my eyes away from the dance floor and focus on Gia.
“You’re fired, Princess.”
“Excuse me?” Her eyes widen.
“Fired.” I reach up, taking a lock of her hair into my hand and letting my fingers run through it. The air leaves her in a rush. As her breath cascades along my skin, the fire simmering inside of me ignites. I want nothing more than to lean forward and claim that smart mouth. I have to force myself to relax. “You no longer work for me, beautiful. This is the part of the night where you become my date, instead of the party planner. We don’t have to keep things professional anymore.”
Before she can respond, Willow swoops in out of nowhere, pulling Gia away from me. “Sorry Wyatt. Hope I’m not interrupting anything. I just need a moment with Gia.”
21
Gia
After I fix Willow’s dress in the bathroom, I head back to the party. By the time I enter the ballroom, Wyatt’s moved on, sprinkling his magic all over the room.
He’s currently deep in conversation with Jude and his group of women. I chuckle to myself as I watch one of the ladies lean in towards him, forcing him to jump back quickly. His eyes move up to mine, and as they meet, my lungs seize in my chest. The distance between us makes it easier to keep a clear head, but it’s impossible to ignore the magnetic pull that I feel, the second that his eyes land on mine. Maybe it’s just because he looks so insanely handsome today. He looks gorgeous in gym shorts and a t-shirt, but in a tailored black suit and light blue shirt that brings out his eyes, he’s impossible to overlook.
But every woman in this place knows it.
It’s Willow’s party, and yet, Wyatt’s been the center of attention most of the night. Willow already told me that she doesn’t even know most of the people here, and judging by the way that the women flock to him, running their fingers down his shirt, tugging him around by his suit jacket, and staring at him like a dog stares at a steak, it’s obvious that he’s been intimate with more than one of them. The idea of it is unsettling.
I shove thoughts of Wyatt to the side and move on around the room. Fired or not, I’m here to make sure that the rest of the party goes smoothly, and that’s precisely what I plan to do. Everyone here seems to be having a good time. Jude and his elderly women have stolen the show and watching them dance the night away has been the highlight for sure.
I check in with the waiters, making sure that they still have plenty of champagne and iced glasses to fill. The bartenders have plenty of alcohol and clean glasses, and the dessert table remains well stocked. I take another small sip of my champagne, savoring the sweet taste as it slides down my throat. I’d love nothing more than to gulp the whole thing down, but I have a firm rule about not drinking during a party. Even though I’m technically no longer employed here, the last thing that I need to do is have a few drinks. I can’t risk letting anything lower my inhibitions around Wyatt when he’s dressed to kill.
“You will serve me.” A woman slams her hand on the bar. “This is my daughter’s party, dammit. And, do you know who my son is?”
Wyatt didn’t introduce me to his mother, not that he had to. I remember her clearly, from the single football game that she attended. It was the first time that I’d ever seen a parent get escorted out of the stadium. I remember the humiliation on Wyatt’s face, hearing that his mother had been drug off of Camden property by two officers after causing a huge scene in the stands.
I move to her side and slide my glass of champagne across the bar. She obviously doesn’t need anything else to drink, but she snatches it up anyways. I introduce myself to her and then steer her towards the hallway.
“I don’t think that we’ve got the chance to meet yet.” I force a huge smile on my face, ignoring the thick fog of booze that surrounds me just from sharing the same air with her. “I’m Gia, the wedding planner. Beautiful party, isn’t it?”
“Of course, it is.” She rolls her eyes. “My son is dripping with money. He could of spend a quarter of the cost and given me the rest, you
know. I’m living in filth while my son is living in the lap of luxury and sharing the wealth with my daughter. No one ever gives me a hand.” Her voice rises, causing heads to turn in our direction. I immediately agree with her to help diffuse the situation.
“That’s a shame.” We make it out to the hallway. “Children should help their parents.”
I know that this isn’t the case for Willow and Wyatt. Neither one of them owe this woman anything. She was a shitty mom to them growing up. But she’s drunk and ready to cause a scene, which is the last thing that anyone needs right now. An outburst will ruin the entire party.
“Don’t I know it!” She shakes her head, wobbling heavily on her feet. “I’m staying at the damn Super 8 across town, while my kids are staying in a mansion. They didn’t even pay for my room.”
I don’t even need to turn around to know that Wyatt’s moving towards us. The way that the little hairs on my neck rise are the only sign that I need. A shiver runs down my spine as I feel his body heat against my back, but when my eyes land on him, a look that I’ve never seen before floods his features.
“I knew this was a bad idea.” His arms fold, and he glares at his mother. “But Willow insisted. I knew you’d get trashed and act a fool. Let’s go.” He snatches her clutch out of her hand and fumbles through it, looking for her keys.
“I’m not leaving.” She may be a small woman, but she’s feisty as hell. Her fist closes, and she takes a swing at Wyatt. In the blink of an eye he grabs ahold of her, bear hugging her from behind, and begins dragging her towards the exit. Jude Masters walks out of the ballroom, his eyes widening when he takes in the scene.
“Fuck, Anderson. You need help?”
“I gotta take my mom back to her hotel, bro. She’s sloppy per usual. Tell Willow that I’m sorry, but I can’t bring her home. Will you let BJ know that I’m leaving, and tell him to make sure she gets home safe?”
Hard Pass (Saints of Love Book 3) Page 12
