Solving Us

by Susan Renee

  Within the hour, we are stepping out of our limo and into the lobby of the historic Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel. Adorned in pine wreaths wrapped with glimmering red ribbon, silver and gold sparkling chandeliers, and shimmering snowflakes, the hotel looks like a royal palace expertly decorated for the holiday season. It is breathtakingly beautiful and cheerfully warm, causing a small burst of excitement to bubble in my stomach. There are two smells during the holidays that bring me Christmas cheer and take away much of my anxiety. My very favorite is the fresh balsam-scented candles from Bath and Body Works. They remind me so much of the freshly cut Christmas trees I used to pick out with my parents each year. The other of my favorites is also the same smell wafting through the air in the lobby right now. The mixture of oranges, cranberries, and cinnamon fills my senses with euphoria. I pinch myself slightly to make sure I’m not dreaming, but Finn just laughs at me adoringly. My breath hitches as I’m escorted down the hall and catch a glimpse of the grand ballroom I’m about to step into.

  “Wow,” I whisper looking around the room and taking it all in.

  The historic ballroom is trimmed in long red velvet curtains, golden archways with sparkling lights, and what has to be no less than twenty Christmas trees, each uniquely decorated with glass bulbs, shimmering snowflakes, red satin bows, and ribbons with coordinating patterns. Tables are covered in red tablecloths and set with immaculate white china. The centerpieces on each table are huge silver and gold candelabras covered in Christmas pine floral displays. Really this entire room looks like a Christmas dream that I could never imagine in my own mind.

  “Beautiful isn’t it?” Finn asks squeezing my hand.

  “That’s the understatement of the year, Finn. Never in a million years would I….”

  “Mr. Kellan. Ms. McGuire, welcome! Great to see you.”

  Mr. Sparks, the Pet Therapy Program Manager, spots us as we enter the room and casually interrupts my thoughts to greet Finn and me. He shakes Finn’s hand first before turning his attention to me. “You look absolutely lovely this evening, Ms. McGuire.”

  “Thank you very much, Mr. Sparks. I was just telling Finn how overwhelmingly beautiful this all is.”

  “Yes it is, thank you. Our fundraising department knows how to get the job done when it comes to pulling off an event of this magnitude. Do make sure you make your way to the auction table to see all of the donations up for grabs tonight. There are some spectacular surprises over there.”

  I’m eager to see it all and can’t wait to pull Finn in that direction. A girl loves to shop, after all.

  “Wonderful. I look forward to it, Mr. Sparks. Thank you again for inviting us all here.”

  “Oh we wouldn’t have it any other way, Ms. McGuire. I’ll meet you and Mr. Kellan up front by the main stage at nine o’clock for the unveiling, okay? Enjoy yourselves tonight!”

  “Thank you again, Sir. We’ll see you then.” Finn nods, shaking Mr. Spark’s hand again.

  “Liv!” I hear Abby say from behind us. She pulls my arm in her direction. “Let’s go look at the auction table. I’m dying to see what I can bid on!”

  “Uh, okay.” I turn around to look at Finn who nods and smiles at me. He and Austin stand together smiling at the pair of us girly girls who are quick to shop till we drop.

  “What can we get you ladies to drink? It’s a full bar, of course, so whatever you want,” Finn suggests.

  “Well, if you’re offering, I would love a cranberry martini?”

  “Oooh, that sounds wonderful. I’ll have the same; thank you!” Abby grins.

  “Coming right up, ladies. Take your time.”

  “Come on, Liv.” She turns me in the other direction, and arm-in-arm we walk across the ballroom to the auction tables.

  The auction tables dressed with black tablecloths hold twenty-five different auction items as part of tonight’s fundraiser. Everything from signed sports memorabilia baskets to ticket packages for Broadway shows in New York City are up for bid, but there are a few others that actually peak my interest. A cruise to the Bahamas for a party of ten, a four-day trip to Nova Scotia, and shopping spree in downtown Boston, just to name a few!

  Abby stands over my shoulder reading the details on the auction bid sheet. “Holy shit, Liv!” she says. “Do you know how much fun the two of us could have with some of this?

  “Yeah, I do. Too much probably, but it’s worth it if the money is going to such a great cause…” I hear my voice slipping away a little bit but that’s because my attention stops on the last item up for bid. The oversized framed picture I’m looking at is one I know I’ve seen before. It looks identical to the one hanging in Finn’s office lobby near Mrs. Hoover’s desk. Perhaps I shouldn’t be so shocked to see this auction item, but when I see Finn’s name attached to the sheet as the donor, I have to work hard to choke back my tears.

  Auction Item 25

  Two week all expense paid vacation to Ireland and Scotland

  Highlights: The Cliffs of Moher, Kiss the Blarney Stone,

  St. Patrick's Cathedral, Loch Ness, Edinburgh Castle

  and shop the Royal Mile

  Donated by Mr. Finn Kellan, CEO The Kellan Agency

  in memory of his father and sister.

  “Ahh, you found it. I wondered how long it would take you.” I look up to Finn’s gaze as he hands me the drink I ordered.

  “Finn, I had no idea you were donating a gift like that.”

  He turns toward the framed picture and shrugs his shoulders lightly. “This was just something I felt I needed to do, ya know? I guess it’s another one of those healing moments. Dad and I made a lot of great memories on that trip. To give someone else that opportunity would mean a lot to him...and Sydney. She would’ve loved trying to search for the Loch Ness Monster or shop in Edinburgh.” He chuckles.

  “I love it,” I say. “I think it’s a magnificent idea, and I hope it makes a ton of money. It’s a great cause.”

  “Me, too.” He kisses my forehead and then lightly kisses my lips. “Come on, let’s go find our seat. We’re table thirteen. Dinner should be starting soon.”

  I turn around to see that Austin is already with Abby, and they are following us to our table. We reach our seats, and my stomach turns.

  Maybe it won’t be so bad

  Around table thirteen are Austin and Abby, Finn and me, Mandy and Kym from the office and Karen along with Mrs. Kellan, Finn’s mother. I’m happily surprised to see Mrs. Kellan here only because I didn’t know she would be at our table. I know that she’s a huge supporter of the hospital and of the pet therapy program.

  Karen wouldn’t possibly do anything stupid with Mrs. Kellan around.

  Please, Karen, don’t do anything stupid.

  It’s just a seat.

  We’ll be dancing and working most of the night anyway.

  I take a deep breath and smile at everyone at our table. I’m seated in between Finn and Abby, so no matter what, I’m comfortable, happy, and content for the night. Cinderella has made it to the ball.

  30

  Dinner consists of filet mignon, duchess potatoes, and fresh green beans, followed by a dessert of Ghirardelli chocolate mousse. Tables off to the sides of the dining room are teeming with Christmas cookies, tea, coffee, and a hot chocolate bar so guests can help themselves throughout the rest of the evening. The auction will be starting soon, so tables are being cleared of dirty dishes, and people are mingling again and double checking auction items.

  Table thirteen has been a lot of fun so far this evening. I’m enjoying myself very much, even without much alcohol in my system. I want to have my head on straight for tonight’s presentation, so I’m letting Abby do all my drinking for me for now. One Cosmo earlier was enough. Since Mrs. Kellan is with us tonight, it’s been a trip down memory lane as she recounts story after story of Finn’s childhood and what he was like as a squirrely little kid. Mandy even had a few great zingers for him. You would think they were brother and sister the way they act around
each other. I suppose in a way they are, having grown up in two families that are as close as theirs are. Watching them laugh together makes me wish I would have known them both years ago as young kids. I have a feeling I would’ve liked Sydney very much if she was anything like Mandy is.

  “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! My name is Thomas Sparks, and I am your emcee for this evening’s auction! We are about to begin; if you’ll all turn your attention to the stage.”

  One by one, items are auctioned off to the highest bidder. Mandy, Abby, and I practically drool as a set of four large Coach purses goes for five thousand dollars, a luxury pontoon boat goes for forty-eight thousand, and the trip to Nova Scotia goes for seventeen thousand dollars. We are lucky enough, though, to win a complete spa package for two for fifteen hundred dollars split between us.

  “Hoes before bros, Olivia!”

  “Amen, Abs! Holes before poles!” I wink at her.

  As Mr. Sparks announces the final auction item, I look around the room to see if I can tell who might be interested in the trip to Ireland. “The bidding starts at twenty-thousand. Do I hear twenty-thousand?”

  Bids begin to climb higher and higher, and before long, they’re past ninety-four thousand dollars. Even Karen placed a bid earlier in the auction for fifty-two thousand but stopped once the bidding hit seventy grand.

  All of a sudden from the west side of the ballroom we hear another bid.

  “Five hundred thousand dollars.” There’s an audible gasp in the room. The Red Sea of people parts as most everyone turns to see who is placing such an enormous bid. A soft chuckle comes from Finn, and I see him shake his head slightly and smile. His eyes look as though tears could pour from them at any second.

  “Mom,” he whispers.

  “What?” I say. “Your mom placed that bid? Oh my gosh!”

  “Five hundred thousand dollars to the beautifully stunning Mrs. Kellan! Do I hear five hundred and one?”

  Mr. Sparks repeats himself before we all watch him say into the microphone, “Going once! Going twice! SOLD to the beautiful lady in the black velvet gown!” After a moment, he comes back to the microphone to thank everyone and let the guests know that the unveiling will happen within the hour.

  “Because of your generosity this evening, our new pet therapy program has raised one point three million dollars! We are forever grateful for all of you tonight. Thank you again for reaching deep into your pockets to help out this fantastic organization; and in case I forget later, a very Merry Christmas to you all and a happy New Year!”

  The crowd erupts in applause. Finn and I are both over the moon excited about tonight’s outcome. I never dreamed the program would raise that much money. This event is so over the top from anything I’ve ever been used to seeing. I can’t imagine my high school prom was anything even close to this, so I’m feeling like a pretty lucky girl.

  We reach Mrs. Kellan, and Finn congratulates her with a huge hug. “Dad would’ve been so proud of you Mom. What are you going to do with your trip?”

  “I was going to donate the money anyway, and I’m not going to do anything with the trip, Finn. You are going to take this beautiful girl on the trip of a lifetime and relax a little. See the sights. Make memories.”

  “Mom, I….” he says.

  “It’s for a great cause that has been beneficial to this family. I want someone I love to take someone he loves to the place that still holds fond memories and a great deal of joy for him. Merry Christmas, Finn and Olivia dear.” She says to us both.

  “Mrs. Kellan.” I hug her dearly and try hard to hold back my tears. I can feel the love in this family. It wraps around me like a warm, soft bath towel. “Thank you. Thank you for the donation and for the unbelievable gift,” I say to her.

  Mrs. Kellan winks at me before departing and says softly in my ear, “I’ve always wanted to see an Irish wedding.”

  Wait.

  What?

  What wedding?

  My wedding?

  To Finn?

  In Ireland?

  Oh. My. God.

  Is it hot in here?

  “Good bye, Sweetheart” Mrs. Kellan kisses Finn’s cheek. “You take care of this beautiful girl, and I’ll see you both next week for Christmas.”

  “Yes, absolutely,” I say, still a bit stunned.

  “Hey. Ya hear that?” Finn asks. “Let’s dance.”

  He takes my hand and escorts me to the dance floor. On the way, he grabs two glasses of champagne from a nearby waiter and hands one to me. We both quickly down our drinks and set them on our table before entering the dance floor.

  “You don’t have it planned somewhere for Adam Levine to show up here and surprise us all like in his video do you? Because that might make this night absolutely perfect.” I giggle as we dance together.

  “Nope, sorry; but don’t worry. I’m pretty damn sure your night is going to be perfect. I’m making sure of that,” he says.

  “It’s already a perfect night, Finn.”

  “No, Beautiful.” Finn pulls me closer and holds the back of my head with his hand so he can whisper in my ear. “It’ll be perfect when I peel you out of that dress.”

  “Mmm, what I wouldn’t give to be peeled out of this dress right now,” I tease breathlessly.

  Finn’s body stops moving to the music; his grasp on me is tighter now. I pull my head back so I can look at him wondering why we stopped dancing. His Cheshire cat grin is almost alarming.

  “You have no idea what those words just did to me, Olivia.” He checks his watch. “We have plenty of time.”

  Wait...

  What?

  Finn takes my hand and starts to lead me in the direction of the ballroom doors.

  “Wait, Finn, where are we going?”

  He turns around and kisses me. “To peel you out of your dress, or maybe just have some fun with you while you’re in it. You’re stunning, but since the moment you opened your apartment door all I’ve been able to think about is the beautiful body hiding underneath it. So let’s make this dress worth every penny you paid for it.”

  We walk out of the ballroom and down the hallway away from the crowds. Finn is clearly looking for a quiet place to be alone.

  Why doesn’t he just buy a room?

  “Finn! We can’t…”

  “Yes we can, Liv. Yes, we can. Trust me. Do you trust me, Liv?”

  “Of course I do, but…”

  “Kiss me then. Kiss me, Olivia.”

  I don’t hesitate to follow Finn’s instructions. I throw my arms around him, sealing my lips to his. He picks me up and carries me backwards until he runs into the door behind him. He pushes down on the handle, and the door opens. We practically fall into the darkened room, but Finn manages to keep us both upright by grabbing something above his head.

  “Where are we?” I ask between kisses. I throw my head back, exposing my neck to Finn’s warm, soft tongue.

  “Coat room. You taste so good, Olivia.”

  We make our way toward the back of the room, weaving in and out of row upon row of winter coats belonging to tonight’s gala guests. Finally Finn grabs my wrists and pulls my arms up over my head.

  “Feel that bar, Liv?”

  “Yes.”

  “Hold onto it, and don’t let go.”

  “I...ahhhhh…” I sigh louder than I should when he wraps himself around me from behind and cups my breasts in his hands. “Okay. I won’t let go, but, Finn, I’m not sure I can promise you that my legs will let me remain standing.”

  “It’s okay, Liv. I’ve got you. I just need to feel you like this. Hold on to the bar as long as you can.” He sucks on my neck, right on my OMG-spot, hard enough that I fear he may be leaving a mark.

  That’ll look great during my presentation.

  “You, Olivia, are a stunningly beautiful woman. You drive me crazy every time I look at you; but right now, in the dark where I can’t see you, I want to focus on all my other senses instead.”

  “Finn…�
�

  “So I’ll enjoy hearing your pleasure as I start with touch.” His hands squeeze my breasts as I arch my back, welcoming the feel of his hands on my body. I stand there in front of him, close my eyes, and lay my head back on his chest, feeling his hands glide down my torso toward my pelvis. We’re both fully clothed, and already I know my black satin panties are going to have to come off. They’re too wet to wear for the remainder of the evening. Finn lowers himself to his knees so that his face is right at my waist.

  “And smell…” He whispers as he lifts the front of my dress up over his head enough to be covered by the material of my gown. I feel his hands running up the back of my legs, his nose stopping at the apex of my thighs. I hear him inhale and groan underneath my dress, which causes me to have to hold tighter onto the bar above my head.

  “Oh God, Finn ,please….”

  “And touch again…” He slips his fingers into the bottom of my panties, my now dripping wet panties, before I hear them rip and feel the release of the elastic from around my waist. I almost lose my footing when Finn rips my panties off of my body, but his strong hands steady me.

  “And my favorite one, Olivia. Taste.” Finn lifts my left leg resting my foot, Jimmy Choos and all, on his bent knee, granting himself better access to me. His tongue moves slowly over me, tasting my arousal, taking everything my body is offering him. The feeling is so intense that it causes my legs to shake. I’m not sure I’ll be able to remain standing much longer.

  “Finn…” I cry out my voice shaking.

  “Almost there, Beautiful. You taste so good. The sweetest dessert of the night.”

  Finn continues his sensual torture on my body as I hang tightly from the bar above, trying not to fall. I’m groaning when the door to the coatroom opens and the lights come on.

  FUCK!

  Who is it?

  Oh God! Please don’t come back here!

  Please don’t come back here!

  Please don’t come back!

  My body tenses immediately, and I freeze right where I’m standing. Finn continues his assault, not knowing that the lights have been turned on. If someone walks two aisles over, we’re screwed.