Running his hand through his hair and sighing, Rick glanced my way and gave me a halfhearted smile. “I better head on over to the real estate office.”
Patty clapped him on the back. “You do that. See you tomorrow!”
Once Rick was out the door, Patty spun around and pointed at me. “I just arranged a date for you tomorrow night.”
My mouth dropped open, and Elizabeth mumbled, “Oh. No.”
“What!?” I choked out, following Patty back to her office.
“You need a date for the charity dinner.”
I vehemently shook my head. “I do not need a date, Patty. As a matter of fact, I am very much against having a date.”
Patty laughed. “Oh, honey, don’t worry. I made it perfectly clear to Rick that he was only allowed to act as your date to make a certain man jealous.”
I was positive I had a look of horror on my face. From the way Elizabeth was slinking away, she must have known about Patty’s plan.
“I don’t want to make anyone jealous! Patty, what have you done?”
Acting as if she couldn’t hear me, Patty grabbed her purse and rushed toward the front door. “I need to go visit Janet and make sure everything is in place for tomorrow!”
“Wait, Patty,” I said, taking her arm and pulling her to a stop. “I’m not into playing games like that. I won’t pretend to be with him. If you ask either of us to play that part, I won’t go.”
Patty sighed and then rolled her eyes. “Fine, but he’s already planning on going.”
I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. By the time I opened them, Patty was out the door.
I whirled around and looked at Elizabeth.
She held up her hands. “I didn’t know anything about this, I swear. But if I’m being honest, it’s pretty clear how miserable you are, and…well…Roger hasn’t been around in a few weeks. Of course, she noticed.”
“I moved out of the hotel a week ago! I’m not even living here anymore. How does she know I’m not seeing someone else? I could be sleeping with a different guy every night.”
Elizabeth stared at me, then fell into a fit of laughter.
I brought my hands to my hips. “What? I could!”
That made her laugh even harder, and she leaned over and grabbed her stomach.
“Okay…like that’s believable,” she said between bouts of laughter.
I let out a growl and stomped away like a five-year-old. Maybe I would suddenly come down with the flu, or something, and not even have to go….
As I made my way into my office, I settled on a plan. “Yes, that’s what will happen. I’ll get the flu.”
Annalise
THE FLU IDEA didn’t work. It had been worth a try, though.
“You look beautiful! Did you get that Brazilian wax like I suggested?” Patty asked.
I glared at her in the full-length mirror in front of me. She had shown up at my house at eight in the morning after I’d called to tell her I wasn’t feeling good. She’d brought every known remedy she could find and made me try them until I finally broke and told her I was fine. Then she’d talked me into going and getting waxed.
“I don’t even want to talk about that with you,” I huffed as I crossed my arms.
Her eyes met mine in the mirror. “Oh, honey. I know I’m your boss, but I’d like to think I’m a mother figure to you as well.”
I let out a humorless laugh. “I can promise you, I would not be talking to Mom about a Brazilian wax.”
“I have the perfect earrings for this outfit. Now, where is that bag?” Patty asked as she spun around in a circle, not even paying attention to what I’d just said. “I bet it’s in the car. Be right back!”
I glanced over at Elizabeth, who was putting her hair up in a French twist.
She smiled back at me. “You got the wax job, didn’t you?”
I nodded. “It was awful. At one point, I swore my belly button was attached to my clitoris. When she tore that paper off, I felt it rip from the inside all the way up to my belly button. I actually demanded a mirror so I could make sure it was still there.”
Elizabeth lost it laughing.
“It’s not funny. Did you know all the places they wax? I wasn’t even aware my ass had hair that needed to be waxed.”
She let out a snort-laugh. When she finally got herself under control, she said, “Now imagine Patty getting that done.”
The image flashed through my mind, and I screamed as I covered my face with both hands.
“What in the world?” Patty asked, walking back in. “What are the two of you talking about?”
Elizabeth pushed the last bobby pin into her hair before she turned and said, “Annalise thought her clitoris was pulled off during her wax this morning.”
Patty flashed me a satisfied smile. “Good, you got it done. You’ll thank me later.”
I snarled my lip at her. “I’m pretty sure I’ll be cursing you until the day I die.”
Patty gave a rumbling laugh and then forced me to turn around, holding up a pair of diamond earrings.
“There, these are the perfect finishing touch for your dress.”
I gasped. “Are those real diamonds?”
She nodded.
“And you had them in your car?” I asked.
Elizabeth walked up and handed me a glass of wine. I still hadn’t grown a taste for it and usually sipped at the same glass for hours. But today was different. Today it was a sweet, bubbly dessert wine, and I’d already had more than four glasses. At least, I had stopped counting at four. Patty had brought four bottles, thinking we would drink all of them while getting ready for dinner. So far, we’d nearly polished off three.
I was starting to feel the effect, so I shook my head. “No more for me. I’m starting to feel it.”
Shrugging, Elizabeth downed the glass. “This isn’t New York City, Annalise. We can leave diamonds in our cars.”
“It’s not Mayberry either,” I countered.
Elizabeth poured another glass as she said, “That’s true.”
Clearly, I was a lightweight when it came to wine.
Patty stepped back and covered her mouth, studying me. “Oh, you look beautiful.”
I turned and looked at myself in the mirror. It was a version of myself I don’t think I had ever seen before. Oh, sure, I’d dressed up for plenty of fancy parties in New York, but beyond the gown, there was something very different about the woman staring back at me.
She looked happy, yet her eyes screamed of sadness.
As for my outfit, the top of the light blue gown was satin with appliqued beadwork that dipped down to the skirt. I stared at the deep V-neck and wondered, again, if I was showing too much cleavage.
“You’re not showing too much, so wipe that frown off your face,” Elizabeth said.
“How did you know I was thinking that?”
“You’re staring at your chest.”
Patty huffed. “If I had perky boobs like that, I’d be staring at them as well.”
The three of us laughed as I lifted the blue tulle skirt.
“You look like Cinderella going to a ball,” Elizabeth gushed.
I forced a smile. “If only I believed in fairy tales still.”
“What?” Patty asked. “How can you not believe in them?”
I sighed and turned to look at the back of the dress. The straps crossed up at the top near my shoulders, and the back was open damn-near to the top of my ass, where more beadwork started—and all I could think was How in the hell am I going to sit down?
“Because Prince Charming doesn’t exist,” I said, meeting Elizabeth’s gaze in the mirror. She looked equally beautiful in her gown of emerald green. And Patty was rocking a black, off-the-shoulder dress with a slit so high, I actually thought I saw her Brazilian wax job.
Elizabeth walked up and rested her chin on my shoulder. “That’s not true. I’ve met mine.”
“You’re an exception to the rule,” I said, letting my fingers run
over the empty space at my neck. “Do I need a necklace?”
“No,” Patty said in a low, seductive voice. “A woman keeps her neck bare so men can dream about kissing it in a dark corner somewhere.”
Elizabeth snorted again. Okay, maybe the wine was getting to her.
“Are you sure you don’t write naughty romance novels, Patty?” Elizabeth asked.
Patty winked at her, then turned and put on a pair of earrings that hung nearly to her shoulders.
My doorbell rang, and Elizabeth gasped as she ran for the door. “That’s them!”
Patty’s husband, Jim, along with Rick, and Larry, Elizabeth’s boyfriend, had agreed to pick us up at my house. I wasn’t even sure how my house had become the go-to spot for everyone to get ready, but Patty and Elizabeth had shown up hours ago and proclaimed a girls’ day of getting fancied up. I knew it was Patty’s way of making sure I actually went tonight, even though she had proved her point earlier this morning.
I watched while Patty followed Elizabeth, calling out, “Lizzy! Do not run in those heels. You’ll break a leg.”
My heart swelled, and I fought to keep my tears at bay. The last month and a half had been hard, being away from my sister and mother, but Patty and Elizabeth had truly become my second family. After everything that had happened with Roger, my world felt like it was both falling apart and beginning. If that were even possible.
The drive in the limo was eventful. Elizabeth was well on her way to being full-on drunk. Patty was starting to plan a ball at The Montclair simply for an excuse to dress up again, and Rick put his hand on my leg one too many times. And it was only a ten-minute drive to the Cana Ballroom, where the charity dinner was being held.
I sucked in a breath as we walked into the ballroom. It looked like a dinner Cinderella would attend. Round tables with six chairs apiece were set up throughout the room. White linens were draped over tables laden with blue and cream china. Crystal wine glasses caught the light from the small tea lights on every table, as well as from the dozens of chandeliers that hung throughout the room.
“This place is beautiful,” I whispered, wrapping my arm around Elizabeth’s.
“I know. It’s like a magical land in here, isn’t it?”
I nodded, taking everything in.
“Look at those flower arrangements,” I added. “The simple white flowers look so elegant. We need to remember that for the next function we have at The Montclair.”
“No talking business!” Patty said over her shoulder at me.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Why are you sticking to me like glue, Annalise?” Elizabeth asked.
“Because Rick keeps getting a little too handsy. I don’t think he got the memo that we’re not really on a date.”
She giggled and glanced over her shoulder at him. “He seems to be focused on someone else right now.”
“Oh, good! Is she pretty?”
“Umm…not that kind of focused. He’s talking to Mitchel Lawrence who also happens to be a lawyer.”
I sighed. “Damn.”
As we made our way through the ballroom, Jim and Patty stopped numerous times to introduce me to different people. Every now and then, I glanced at the tables to see if I could find ours.
My eyes caught on the name Roger Carter—and then I ran right into Jim’s back, throwing him off slightly. The man standing next to him reached out to help steady him.
“Jim, I’m so very sorry!” I said, trying to right myself as well. When I looked up at the gentleman who had helped him, I froze.
I’d seen blue eyes like that before.
“It’s okay, sweetheart,” Jim said. “Truitt, Saryn, I’d like to introduce you to our new general manager at The Montclair, Annalise Michaels.”
Both Truitt’s and Saryn’s mouths dropped open for the slightest moment before they recovered and smiled at me.
“Annalise, it’s so nice to finally meet you,” Saryn said, reaching her hand out to shake mine.
“The pleasure is all mine.” I turned and looked at Roger’s brother, swallowed hard, and extended my hand. “Truitt, it’s a pleasure meeting you.”
The corners of his mouth twitched, and then he smiled and shook my head. “The same for me, Ms. Michaels.”
“Please, call me Annalise.”
Truitt and Saryn exchanged a glance before they both focused their attention back on me.
“I can certainly see why my brother hasn’t been himself the last few weeks,” Truitt stated. He took a sip from the drink in his hand.
I frowned at him while Saryn laughed softly. “Ignore him. I want to hear all about what you think of Boerne. It has to be so completely different from New York City.”
“Um, it is,” I said, trying with all my might not to look around the ballroom. At the same time, I worked to calm my racing heart.
“There you are.” Rick walked up and handed me a glass of wine. “Our table is over there, in the back corner closest to the stage.”
I forced a smile. “Thank you, Rick.”
When I looked back at Saryn and Truitt, they both seemed slightly disappointed. It was Saryn who broke the awkward silence. “You’re here with a date?”
“No,” I said quickly, glancing over at Rick. “He’s not my date. He’s the nephew. Um, Patty’s nephew.”
Rick lifted his drink and smiled. “We’re not on a date. My aunt strong-armed me into coming.”
Truitt chuckled. “Sounds like Patty.”
Rick rolled his eyes and took a drink.
Saryn stretched her hand out to Rick. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I adore your aunt and uncle.”
Rick shook her hand. “They’re two of a kind.”
It was Truitt’s turn to shake Rick’s hand, and I couldn’t help but notice the look of relief on his face.
Rick and Truitt started talking about Truitt’s custom playhouse business while Saryn pointed out Roger and Truitt’s parents to me.
“Would you like to meet them?”
I went to answer when someone behind Saryn caught my eye.
It was Lucy. She was dressed in a light purple ball gown, and her hair was down in long, soft-looking curls.
I quickly found myself scanning the room for Roger again. When I couldn’t find him, I let out a breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding.
Would he really show up with a date? He probably didn’t think I would be here, so it was possible.
Just as I was beginning to relax, I saw Roger walk up to his parents. He was alone, or at least, for a split second, I thought he was alone. Then a woman suddenly appeared at his side as if out of thin air.
She was beautiful, with dark auburn hair. She almost seemed to have a glow surrounding her whole body. It was as if she was there but wasn’t there.
I blinked a few times to make sure I wasn’t imagining it.
She gently put her hand on Roger’s shoulder, but he seemed unmoved by her touch as his mother spoke to him. When her eyes turned and found mine, I stood motionless, her gaze holding me captive.
She was too far away for me to hear her speak, but I caught her words anyway.
“Don’t give up on him…he loves you.”
A breeze blew in from the open balcony doors—and she floated off with it.
I squeezed my eyes shut and quickly opened them, but she was gone.
Was I losing my damn mind now? Had she even really been there?
Suddenly I felt dizzy, and I swayed slightly.
Truitt reached out for me, and so did Rick.
Saryn was by my side in an instant. “Are you okay, Annalise?”
I tried to speak around the lump in my throat. When nothing came out, I simply shook my head.
“I’m going to take her outside for some fresh air,” Saryn said, guiding me away from the two men toward the open terrace.
The moment I stepped outside, I dragged in a deep breath and quickly walked all the way to the end of the terrace. It overlooked the Texas Hill country
side, and the views were breathtaking, but that wasn’t what still stole my breath away.
“Who was she?” I whispered, looking out at the oak and cedar trees swaying in the wind. The deep blue sky seemed so dark and expansive with the remaining clouds of pink and orange stretching across the horizon.
“I didn’t think he’d told you about her.”
Saryn’s words caused me to spin and look at her. “So, there is someone else?”
A look of confusion crossed her face. “Wait, who are you talking about?”
“Who are you talking about?”
Her brows drew in tight as she walked up next to me and placed her hands on the railing. “Kerri.”
My heart pounded so hard in my chest, I had to place my hand over it. I drew in a long, deep breath and steeled myself for her answer to my next question. “Who is Kerri? Is that who was standing with Roger just now?”
“What do you mean?”
I glanced back to the open doors that led into the ballroom. Echoes of laughter drifted through, along with mumbled conversations. I stared into the room, willing the woman to appear again. “The woman who was standing next to Roger in there only moments before we walked out. I swore she spoke to me.”
Saryn followed my gaze, then looked back at me like I was crazy. “Are you taking any pain medications or muscle relaxers, by any chance?”
I scrunched up my face. “What? No! Why would you ask me that?”
She rubbed at her temples. “Sorry, the nurse in me comes out sometimes.” She reached down and took my hands in hers. “Kerri was Roger’s fiancée.”
My mouth dropped open as I stared at her, dumbfounded.
“By your reaction, I’m going to guess that he hasn’t told you about her.”
“Was?” I managed to ask.
Saryn looked down and pressed her lips into a tight line before staring back up at me. “He’ll probably never forgive me for telling you this. He doesn’t talk about her—ever.”
I suddenly no longer wanted to know about this Kerri. If Roger was still in love with her, his commitment issues would make total sense.
“Kerri died in a car accident when Roger was twenty-three.”
I gasped and jerked one hand free from Saryn’s grip to cover my mouth. “Wh-what?”
Fated Hearts Page 18