“There’s some things you don’t know,” I say.
“I don’t care what I don’t know. I care about what I do know. And Alejandra is meant to be with you.”
“What if I told you she might be happier with someone else?”
“I’d tell you to ask her yourself.” Grandmother nods over my shoulder.
I spin around and drifting down the red carpet the party organizers laid down for tonight, is Alejandra.
All the air leaves my lungs as I stare at her. She is breathtaking in a spaghetti-strap blue dress that flows from her waist to her feet. Her hair is a mass of loose waves around her shoulders and down her back.
The brooch is pinned to the form-fitting bodice.
I glance back at my grandmother, but she’s gone. I didn’t even hear the front door open or close.
“Hi,” Alejandra says.
“Hi. What are you doing here?” My heart is about to pound its way out of my chest and that’s the first thing I say to her? Jesus, Drew. Get back on your game, man. “You look incredible,” I quickly add.
“Thank you. You do, too.” She smiles, almost shyly, and it reminds me of the first time she smiled at me in a bar ten months ago. “I thought maybe your grandma told you I was on my way?”
“She didn’t, no.”
“Oh. We’ve been texting back and forth so I thought you knew I was coming. Should I…” She thumbs over shoulder. Go. No, she shouldn’t. She’s here. She came to the party. To see me.
“You should stay right where you are.”
“I can do that. And please don’t be upset with Rosemary. I reached out to her first with my plan.”
“You have a plan?”
She rolls her bottom lip between her teeth. “Could we go somewhere else to talk? Guests will be arriving soon, right?”
I lace our fingers together—hello live wire under my skin—and lead her around the side of the house to my mom’s rose garden.
“This is beautiful,” she says as the stone walkway curls through brightly colored rose bushes. We stop at a concrete bench built for two.
I wipe my hand across the seat to clean off any dirt before she sits down and places her small purse in her lap. I straddle the bench so I can face her.
For the first time in a week, I’m at peace.
“If we weren’t at your parents’ house I would lift up my dress and straddle this bench, too. But I want to make a good impression and wrinkling my outfit before the party has even started isn’t the best way to do that.”
“I have no objection,” I say. “To the wrinkles.”
“I’m relieved to hear that.”
We stare, soaking each other in. I’ve missed her to distraction this past week and now that we’re together again, I hope it means what I want it to mean.
“Since you’re the one with the plan, why don’t you tell me what happens next.”
“You have questions, I have answers. Go.”
How the hell she knew that, I don’t know, but I’ll take it. “How are you here?” I ask. “It’s almost eight o’clock, which I guess means…” I trail off, wanting—needing—to hear her say she chose me over him.
“I met Matthew at six.” Okay, not what I expected, but I’m the one inches from her kissable lips right now so I’m okay with this turn of events. It never occurred to me she could change her meeting time. “I had to meet him before seeing you. Not because I needed to be sure about you, but because I owed it to Matthew to tell him in person that I’m in love with someone else.”
“How did he take that?” Yes, I’m playing it cool. Give me a minute.
“Pretty well.”
“So, he’s in love with someone else, too?”
“No. He’s still in love with me.”
My hands ball into fists atop my thighs. Alejandra notices and covers them with her soft, warm palms. “But I repeat, I’m in love with you, in case you didn’t get that the first time. And I’m sorry for how I treated you. So, so sorry, and I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you if you’ll let me. If you can put this behind us, I promise you will never doubt how much you mean to me ever again.”
Best. Apology. Ever.
“I can do that. I can do all of that.” I lift her hand and press it to my chest, over my heart. “Do you feel that?”
She nods. “FYI, mine’s pounding too,” she says.
“This is your beat. Your melody. You own it. And for the rest of my life the love it holds is yours. I’ve been waiting for you, Alejandra, only you.” I cup the back of her head and bring her lips to mine. We kiss and we kiss and we kiss. It’s not sloppy or hurried. It’s slow and controlled. Openmouthed, closemouthed, I pour everything into it so she knows I’m hers.
The sound of party guests arriving in the distance pulls us apart.
“I love you, Drew.”
“I’m really happy to hear you say that. I love you, too.”
Her grin is almost as big as mine.
“So, I’d like to ask you out on a date,” she says, a sparkle in her eyes.
“A date, huh? I may have to check my schedule.”
“What?” She lightly pushes my chest.
“Kidding. I’m in.”
“Do you want to know what we’re doing?”
“Don’t care. There’s nothing I won’t do for you.”
She flutters her eyelashes. “What if it’s to pose nude for the art class at the senior center?”
“Shit. Is that it? Can I wear a sock puppet?”
She laughs. “Oh my God, would that be funny.”
“Hey, now,” I say, but I’m laughing, too. The level of happiness I’m at right now is off the charts. There’s a comfort I only feel when I’m with her. Contentment I feel in my bones.
“My seniors love you, you know. The book club ladies think you’re dreamy. Which does bring me to our date.” She levels me with a serious look. “Drew, will you be my plus-one to Mrs. K.’s seventy-fifth birthday party?”
“Alejandra, I would escort you to the ends of the Earth, so yes.”
We seal the deal with a quick kiss.
“Speaking of the senior center, I hear you’re kind of a celebrity there now. I’m really happy everything worked out. Mostly because the seniors get to continue to have you in their lives.”
She brings her hand to her chest. “Thank you for saying that.”
“We should probably head into the party now. I’m sure my grandmother is dying to see us. And wait until I tell you what she told me. That woman is a mastermind, and I am eternally grateful.” I help Al to her feet and take it upon myself to assist her in smoothing down the back of her dress.
“Drew.”
“Not sorry.”
She shakes her head and sighs. I look forward to a lifetime of her responses to my touch.
Holding hands, we stroll back through the rose garden. “What did Rosemary do?” she asks.
“You know, I think you should ask her yourself. Ask her about the morning you met in the hotel lobby.”
Alejandra looks puzzled, but nods. “I’m kind of nervous to meet everyone here tonight.”
“Don’t be. They’re going to love you.”
“I’ve been doing some studying on your family in preparation.”
“Was that part of your plan? Which by the way, is stellar so far.” I pause in the middle of the path—it’s my turn to properly apologize to her. “I owe you an apology, too, Al. I’m sorry for the way I treated you last weekend. I never should have doubted your integrity and issued an ultimatum. And I shouldn’t have spoken so harshly. I was blinded by jealousy and, honestly, fear. It hurt to think of you seeing your ex.”
“It’s okay. You were right to feel the way you did.”
I smile at her and we resume walking. With the strong scent of roses in the air, I think back to that morning we fought and some of the words she said. I was caught up in you, Drew. In us. And deep down I think I knew telling you might push you away and I didn’t want tha
t. Everyone I’ve loved has left me. She’d basically told me then she loved me and I didn’t hear it. I hold her hand tighter. I am never letting her go.
“Your mom’s name is Liza,” Alejandra says. “Your dad is James. Ethan is your oldest brother and his girlfriend is Pascale and she has a daughter named Rylee. Finn is the baseball player and he’s married to Chloe. She’s the one I talked to on speaker phone that day at my house, right?”
“Right.”
“Anyone else I should know?”
“Chloe’s dad will be here. His name is Casey. If you get stuck near him and Finn, plan on talking baseball. Casey is an umpire for Major League Baseball. Pascale’s mom and dad and sister will be here, too. Her parents are Paula and Thomas and her sister’s name is Paige. I should warn you, Paige has a crush on me.”
“Oh, she does, does she?”
“It’s a pretty big one.”
“How old is she?”
“Twenty, almost twenty-one, I think.”
“You are pretty crushable so I won’t hold it against her. Who else?”
“Are you remembering all this?”
She points to her temple. “I have a great memory for names.”
“My aunt Helena and uncle Wayne will be here with their daughter, Meredith. You’ll like Mere a lot. Besides being my cousin, she’s a good friend. My grandmother will have plenty of friends here too, and I’m sure I’m forgetting someone, but I can’t think of anyone else off the top of my head.”
We arrive back on the red carpet and pivot to walk up the step to the front door.
“Thank you,” I say, “for being my date tonight.”
“Thank you for inviting me,” she quips. We both know it wasn’t your ordinary invitation. But then it might not have turned into something extraordinary.
I touch my nose to hers and delicately cup her cheeks in my hands. “You ready to do this?” And by this I mean tonight and everything afterward.
“I’m ready,” she says.
Epilogue One
Alejandra
The backyard has been transformed into an outdoor movie wonderland. Back in the day, Rosemary briefly consulted with a Hollywood film company and she’s loved movies ever since. Her favorite is the 1978 French film La Cage aux Folles so that’s what we’ll be watching on the big screen set up on the expansive grass area in a few minutes.
I’m curled up next to Drew on a cozy little couch, a blanket in our laps. There are more plush couches and oversized pillows, blankets, and lawn chairs for viewing comfort. Five-foot-tall gold Oscar floral arrangements with red and white roses are spread around the yard and on the patio behind us. Stars like those on the Walk of Fame are scattered around, too, each with something nice to say about Rosemary. Antique film reels, an old-fashioned popcorn cart, tuxedo cake pops, and strings of white lights add to the homey but lavish ambience.
Servers are dressed like ushers. The food is upscale casual. Fancy grilled cheese sandwiches. Gourmet impossible burgers. Mashed potato pancakes with sour cream and chives. Grilled bacon-wrapped asparagus. I’ve made it my mission to eat everything.
There’s also a party hashtag. Cheers to eighty great years. Between Rosemary and Chloe alone, the party is getting a lot of likes on Instagram. This time when Rosemary asked for a picture with me and Drew, I posed with my lips pressed to his cheek. Drew Auprince is off the market for good, ladies and gentlemen.
“Hey, you two,” Liza says, kneeling down. “Drew, do you mind if I borrow Alejandra for a minute? I promise to return her before the movie starts.”
“Sure,” he says, slipping his arm out from under me.
Drew’s mom takes me to a quiet spot on the patio. We were only briefly introduced earlier since she’s been busy playing hostess, but I immediately liked her. You know how you can just tell someone is a genuine and nice person and you feel like you could spill your guts to them? That was Liza. And when I later noticed her speaking and laughing with her husband and Rosemary, my heart gave a little squeeze. It’s clear this is a close-knit family.
“I’m sorry we haven’t had a chance to talk,” she says.
“That’s okay. The party is wonderful.”
“Thank you. Rosemary speaks very highly of you and I know she’s thrilled that you’re here.”
I swallow the knot of emotion in the back of my throat. “I’m happy to be included.”
“Well, I think we both know it’s more than that, and I just wanted to tell you I look forward to spending more time together and getting to know you better.”
“Me, too.” Having women like Liza and Rosemary in my life is the icing on the Drew cake. I’ve come home to something new and wonderful and I will cherish it always.
She hugs me. “I’ve never seen Drew look so happy. You’ve warmed my heart, Alejandra. Thank you.”
“I love him,” I tell her. “Very much.” I said the same thing to Rosemary when she scooped me up for a quick conversation. The two most important female figures in Drew’s life are aware of my feelings, so in my book he’s stuck with me.
The lights blink, signaling it’s time to start the movie. Liza gives me one more hug. “I think the feeling is mutual. Enjoy the movie,” she says.
The feeling is.
I nestle next to Drew again. He’s warm and snuggly and I could stay curled beside him forever. “I just told your mom I loved you.”
He covers us with the blanket. “I suppose this means I’m stuck with you now.”
“My thoughts exactly.” I kiss his cheek.
“Sexiest ball and chain ever.”
I punch him in the stomach.
“Just kidding. Sexiest and fiercest.”
“You better watch it, mister.” The sound of the movie projector pierces the air and the movie begins on screen.
Drew nuzzles the side of my neck. “Think anyone would notice if I slid my hand between your legs?” He slips said hand under the blanket and over my thigh.
Tingles cannonball through me. I slap my hand down over his. “Drew, don’t you even think about it,” I whisper.
“Too late. I’m thinking it.” His voice is husky. He tugs my earlobe between his teeth.
“Drew,” I warn, pushing his hand off me. “Later. You can do whatever you want to me later.”
“Okay. I’ll be patient.” He sits taller and tucks me under his arm. “It won’t be easy, though.”
We watch the movie in blissful comfort, our bodies bundled together. There’s a cold breeze tonight, but Drew keeps me pleasantly cozy. The film is heartwarming and hilarious and everyone claps when it’s over.
A little while later, Rosemary blows out all the candles on her Hollywood-star-shaped cake, and when the guests are down to just immediate family, we sit in the living room to watch her open the gifts from her grandsons.
Rylee helps her rip through the wrapping paper on the present from her, Ethan, and Pascale. She is the cutest, most precocious little girl ever. When the paper is all over the hardwood floor, she clasps her hands under her tiny chin and bounces up and down on her feet while Rosemary lifts the lid off the box.
“It’s us!” Rylee shouts before the gift is even out.
Staring into the box, Rosemary’s expression is one of absolute affection. “It is and it’s magnificent.” She lifts an ornate frame out of the box then turns it to show everyone. It’s an incredibly detailed and accurate black and white drawing of Ethan, Pascale and Rylee.
“We had it done by an artist in Chicago,” Ethan says.
“I love it. Thank you.” Rosemary’s voice is the softest I’ve heard it. The love she has for her family is so clearly etched on her face as she draws Rylee in for a quick hug.
“Here’s the next one,” Rylee says, lifting a small box off the coffee table.
“Hang on there, squirt,” Finn says, leaning off the couch to snag the box. “We’d like to save ours for last.” He shares a look with Chloe before sitting back down.
“Okay,” Rylee says. “Here, Nana
Berry.”
Rosemary delights in the special name Rylee has given her and accepts the large gift bag that Drew brought. Before she lifts out the tissue paper, Rosemary’s eyes meet mine—a brief look of thanks for the gift I gave her earlier. She and I are going hang gliding. It’s our little secret for now.
She pulls out the handbag from Drew. “Love it,” she tells him with a wide smile.
“Look inside the pockets,” he says, and my heart almost explodes for this man. He wrote the sweetest things. I peeked at them when I helped him wrap the gift.
Rosemary reads the first note. “There’s more like this?” she asks, clutching the note to her chest.
“Handwritten notes about how awesome you are? Yes.” Drew beams.
“Kiss-up,” Ethan mumbles under his breath.
“I think we’ve got you both beat,” Finn says, passing the gift in his hand to Rosemary.
“Boys, this isn’t a competition,” Liza reprimands.
Rylee helps once again with the wrapping paper then leans over to inspect the contents after Rosemary has lifted the top off the small box. “What is that?” Rylee asks, her nose scrunched up.
“That,” Rosemary says, “is my second great-grandchild.” She lifts out an ultrasound picture.
Tears, cheers, and congratulations explode around the room. Chloe is ten weeks pregnant, is nauseous all the time, and she and Finn are so in love it’s palpable.
“There’s a baby in here?” Rylee asks, her hand on Chloe’s stomach.
“There is,” Chloe says.
“Mommy, when are you going to have a baby in your tummy?”
Ethan puts his arm around Pascale. “Sooner rather than later, I hope.”
“Ethan,” Pascale says, knock it off in her tone. “Would you like to have a baby brother or sister?” Pascale asks Rylee.
“I would like to have one of each, please.”
Everyone laughs before conversation returns to more neutral topics.
Hot Shot (American Royalty Book 3) Page 21
