by Lauren Dane
Alexander got serious for a moment and then nodded. “’Kay.”
“Want some help?”
“You’re not going to try to beg off?”
“You’d only guilt me into staying. I haven’t seen the girls in a few weeks, anyway.”
Erin liked the change in her friend. It had been a very long time coming. But Raven seemed comfortable with Elise at long last. And maybe even herself.
“Ben, you need to take over horse duty.” Raven handed the plastic horse to him and he settled in with Alexander.
They went into the kitchen and washed up. “So?” Erin began to pull ingredients from the fridge.
“Things are good.”
“I didn’t even have to poke at you for ten minutes to get you to tell me. Must be good.”
Raven looked up from where she’d started cleaning the produce. “It is. They are. Whatever.”
“You two have spent a lot of time together lately.”
“We have. We spent pretty much the entire day together on Monday. Went up to Snoqualmie to look at the leaves. Walked a lot. He’s a hand holder. Opens doors. Pulls my chair out. He glowers at people if they don’t move out of my way when we’re on the sidewalk.”
Erin loved that about her men. Loved the way they always made her feel protected. Cherished.
“It’s not that I can’t do it for myself. But he likes to and I let him. He sort of gets that I’m letting him. He’s nice to me. Though, he’s so pushy. Always wants to know about my childhood and stuff.”
Erin stilled a moment and then kept moving. “And?”
“I told him some. He saw the scars. I told him about that. He knows I was in foster care. Not all of it,” Raven added quickly. “I don’t want his pity. I don’t know if I could stand it. If he pitied me, I mean.”
“Sometimes, just saying it out loud lifts the weight.” Erin knew about this personally. Knew what it felt like to hold all that pain inside until she’d finally shared it with Todd and then Ben. Knew that it had brought them all closer to have shared her grief.
Knew too that Jonah Warner would keep pushing Raven to share and that hopefully, if Raven didn’t balk and run off, she might have found a person worthy of her confidences.
Raven lifted a shoulder. “It’s hard to say it out loud sometimes.”
“I know. But it’s not you. You did nothing wrong.”
“Academic.”
Erin knew about guilt over things that weren’t her fault too.
“Sometimes you should listen to your head as well as your gut.”
“I’m trying. He wants to stay over. God.”
Erin snorted as she began to shred cheese. “I imagine he’s not one to take no for an answer.”
“No.”
“Why don’t you just tell him?”
“Tell him what? I don’t need therapy, Erin, so don’t start on me with your freaking psychological mumbo jumbo about why I like to sleep alone.”
“Alexander has slept over.”
Raven smiled, softening. For her baby. Love swamped Erin just then. Raven would take a bullet for Alexander. She loved that boy and he loved his auntie right back.
“He’s my best guy. Clearly the rules can be broken for him.”
“I’m just saying, rules were meant to be broken. Especially when they exist to bandage some long-ago trauma that may need a little sunlight and fresh air.”
Raven grunted and went back to work.
Brody came over before Erin could do much more nosing around. Marti, Brody and Elise’s toddler, came into the kitchen at a full run, her arms open. When she saw Raven as well as Erin her face lit even more. She squealed with total joy as Raven stepped to her and swung her up into a hug.
“Martine, my love. I think you’re a foot taller now.”
Marti threw chubby arms around Raven’s neck.
Rennie came into the room and it struck Erin that her niece was nearly a teenager. In just a few months she’d be thirteen. But she had her mother’s beauty. Pale hair, big blue eyes. A dancer’s long, lean body.
“Why hello, Rennie.” Erin hugged her.
“Hey, Aunt Erin.” She grinned. “Thanks for the awesome paints. I’m working on something now. You know, to thank you.”
Elise came in, smiling at the sight of her daughters with Raven and Erin.
“I want to see too.” Raven handed Marti to Erin and then tipped her chin to Rennie, who still looked at her like she was the most awesome fireworks show ever.
“My art?”
“Yeah. Your dad showed me some the last time I saw him. He’s got like forty pictures of it on his phone. But that’s not the same as in real life.”
Rennie blushed and then bent when Alexander came in, patting her thigh. “Yo, Nee!”
“Hey, Alexander.” She knelt to hug him and he handed her a horse.
“Come play.”
Rennie waved at them and followed Alexander out.
“She’s a great kid,” Erin said before turning her attention back to Marti, kissing those chubby toddler cheeks. “Where’s Brody?”
“Jeez.” Raven went back to work. “Hello, Elise. How are you? Sorry about Erin’s manners. You know how she gets when she’s got a baby in her arms.”
Elise laughed and Marti did too. “Down, please.”
Erin kissed her one last time and put her down. With one wave over her shoulder, she headed toward where Alexander and Rennie were playing with Ben.
“He’s on his way up. He’s bringing the pies and some other stuff. He and Todd met in the lobby and there was secret stuff happening.”
“Halloween stuff most likely. You’re coming, right?” Erin turned to Raven.
“Uh.”
“Miles and his band are playing. There’s going to be a little Halloween parade thing.”
Raven groaned. “Miles doesn’t need me there.”
“Pfft. Alexander does. And Marti. And Rennie. And of course, me. Plus, Gillian and Elise and Brody.”
“You already used that one for Thanksgiving.”
“It’s all-purpose.”
“You’re coming to Thanksgiving?” Elise’s bright smile was genuine and Raven relaxed.
“Yes.”
“That’s wonderful. I’m glad you’ll be in town this year.”
“I’m planning on bugging her relentlessly until she agrees to make cinnamon rolls.” Erin flashed a grin and Raven groaned.
One of the only happy memories Raven had from her childhood was of her great-grandmother teaching her to make cinnamon rolls. She was too old to do much more than sit in the kitchen and tell Raven what to do. But on those rare visits once she’d gotten a little older, Eula Mae’s kitchen would be filled with scents that still made Raven smile to that day.
“Maybe. If you ask nicely.”
“I should ask Jonah too.” Erin fluttered her lashes.
“His daughter is coming home for it. She’s in Europe on some study-abroad deal. I’m guessing there’ll be some big dinner at the manse with Ma and Pa Kettle.”
Elise laughed. “The stories I’ve heard about his mother scare me. But she seems to like Daisy so she can’t be all bad.”
“In any case, he’ll be otherwise engaged.”
“You can go over there. I’ll give you a day pass for that.”
“I am still vexed I allowed you to guilt me into Thanksgiving day with you. I’m sure as hell not going over there. Plus, we’re not at the meet-the-parents stage. We’re just dating. Or whatever.”
He’d want to spend time with Carrie and there was no way Raven would get between them. The girl needed her dad and she had no doubts how much Jonah adored his daughter.
Elise sent Erin a look and Raven kept her head down, biting her tongue. See? She was learning.
11
Raven looked at her phone and saw Jonah’s number. Smiling, she answered. “Yes?”
“That’s what I like to hear. Just yes. All the time. No matter what I ask.”
“It do
es me no good to encourage you in any way.”
“Oh, but it does.” His voice went all low and silky and she shivered. “I remember you encouraging me just fine the other night.”
“To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?”
She sat on her small deck, the rain falling, though she was dry beneath the overhang.
“What are you doing right now?”
“I’m sitting on my deck, drinking a beer, wrapped in a blanket, listening to music.”
“Damn, that sounds pretty nice. Wish I was there with you but instead I’m going into yet another meeting shortly. What are you doing Saturday night?”
“Nothing yet.” She’d been invited to dinner with some friends visiting from out of town, but anything he’d be offering would be better. She was officially at the stage where she turned down things with friends to be with a guy.
Man.
“Good. Come out with me. Be my date to a benefit. We’ll dress up, drink champagne, eat appetizers, and afterward I’ll take you to sushi.”
“Um.”
“Too late. You already agreed.”
“Um is not agreement. What benefit is this?”
“It’s a museum benefit. Daisy will be there. Levi too.”
“I’m not really benefit date material, Jonah.”
“Bullshit. You’re beautiful. I know you can dress up. Don’t forget I saw you all fancified Monday night. You don’t pick your nose or spit on the floor. You are indeed benefit date material.”
Against her better judgment she accepted it in her head. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t going to drill him for more information and make him work for it. “Is it like formal?”
“I sent you something. I’d bring it myself but I have a meeting in a few minutes and then tomorrow I’ll be slammed all day and into the evening. It’ll arrive at the shop since I didn’t want it sitting around on your doorstep all day.”
“What did you do?”
“Has anyone ever told you you’re a very suspicious woman? It’s a dress. I saw it and I wanted to see you in it. Wear it for me and I’ll show you why doing what I tell you to is always in your best interests.”
“I don’t know, Jonah. I’m not much for society stuff.”
“I know you like art. I know you like me. I know you like doing some good. I already bought the tickets. I already have a driver. I already bought the dress. Oh, and some shoes. It’ll be fun.”
“You have a strange idea of fun.”
“I want you there with me. This is important to me.”
She sighed. “All right.”
She knew he was grinning, though she couldn’t see his face. “I’ll pick you up at seven. We’ll get drinks first with Levi and Daisy.”
“Okay.”
“See how easy that was?”
“Hm.”
“You know what that sound does to me.” He paused a moment. “You doing okay? I miss you.”
“You just saw me on Monday.”
“But that was three days ago.”
She smiled, flattered. “Yes, well. I’m good. Busy. Worked ten hours today so my back is killing me and my wrist is messed up. You all right?”
“Better now. I’m talking to Carrie later on tonight. I like to catch her first thing in the morning, before her classes start. She’s actually off to Paris in a few days so I want to check in.”
“Have a good talk with her.” She knew he missed his daughter.
“I will. Sweet dreams. I’ll see you in a few days.”
He hung up and she was still smiling to herself when she went inside nearly an hour later.
Jonah stood when his mother approached their table. He pulled her chair out and then settled, ordering her a glass of wine.
“You look handsome today.”
Of the brothers, Jonah was closest with his mother. Mainly because she’d tried to break him multiple times as he was growing up and she’d never succeeded. She liked to make a joke that he was the most stubborn being she’d ever known, but really, all she had to do was look in the mirror. He came by it honestly.
Still, she could be a stone-cold bitch and a pain in the ass, especially when it came to how people might perceive what her sons did and how that might reflect on the family and their position.
“Thank you. Carrie gave me the tie for Father’s Day last year.”
“She’s got good taste. Thank heaven she takes after you and not her stupid twit of a mother.”
“So.” He moved on, not wanting to get into a bash-Charlotte conversation. It wasn’t that he still cared, but that he didn’t. He didn’t want to spend any time on her. “I’m seeing someone.” He figured it was best to just get it out there. Not present it like it was an issue, but a done deal. He was mainly telling her because he wanted to answer in the affirmative if Raven asked if he’d told his family about them.
His mother gave him a look as the wine was delivered to the table. “Do I know her?”
“No.”
She narrowed her gaze. “Well, stop evading. Did you get some girl pregnant or something?”
He laughed and they held off discussing it further until after they’d ordered.
“I know how to use birth control and I wasn’t evading. I’d only gotten a few sentences in. No you don’t know her. Her name is Raven. She’s an artist.”
“An artist? Well, with a name like Raven I guess that’s appropriate. Who does this girl come from? Where did you meet her? She’s not twenty or anything, is she?”
Jonah laughed. Everything was going to be just fine.
She gave herself one last look in the mirror on her way to the door. The dress he’d sent, she had to admit, was perfection. Black. Simple but elegant.
She’d worried her ink would show too much, but the sleeves, though sheer, gave her enough cover to feel comfortable and yet not that he’d wanted her to hide.
The bodice had pretty beading to add some shimmer, but not so much it looked tacky or shouted “hey, look at my boobs.” Though the cut was generous, she also wasn’t concerned she’d be having a wardrobe malfunction. It was figure hugging without being tight.
The material was gorgeous. The dress was really well made. It was clear he’d paid a pretty penny for it. But at the same time, also clear he’d really given thought to what her personal style was.
In short, instead of feeling bought and paid for, she felt treasured. Spoiled even.
She’d done her hair in a chignon at the base of her skull. One of the first hairstyles she’d learned when she came out to Los Angeles and one she had used time and again.
He’d also sent along shoes. Shoes she’d actually drooled over a few months before so she knew how much they’d cost because she’d said to Erin that she couldn’t, in good conscience, pay that kind of money for a pair of shoes.
She smiled, looking at herself one last time. She was still Raven. Only fancified, as he’d said. And the shoes were a dream and made her legs look a million miles long.
Partial payment for the hell she was sure to endure at this thing.
He knocked again. Impatient.
She opened the door and he sucked in a breath. “You look magnificent.”
She blushed but got a load of him while she did. “Says the gorgeous man in the tux standing in my doorway.”
He handed her roses. “Just because. I saw them and knew you needed them.”
She took them, burying her face, inhaling. “Thank you. Come in while I get them in water.”
She grabbed a vase and got the roses settled, taking one, trimming it and adding it to her hair.
“Oh, I like that.” He took her hand, kissing it. “Do you have a wrap?”
“Yes. Thank you for the dress and shoes, by the way.”
He looked her up and down. “I really have to take credit here because you look so good. I had to guess on the sizes.”
“You know women’s bodies well. Though that’s not really a surprise.”
He took the wrap she’d
picked up after she’d unwrapped the dress and put it on her shoulders.
Outside, at the curb, a sleek black car waited with Daisy and Levi already inside.
“Hey, Raven. Wow, you look fabulous.” Daisy smiled and Raven couldn’t help but smile back.
“Thanks. You too.”
“I think it’s necessary to say just what good taste the Warner men have.” Levi tipped his chin at his brother. “Evening, Raven.”
They drove to the hotel where the benefit was being held. “We can get a drink here. The bar at the top is quite lovely.” Jonah helped her out and then kept his hand at the small of her back as they went up.
“I’m really glad you’re here tonight.” Daisy sipped her martini. “These things were fun before I got together with Levi. But usually I was working at them.” She laughed and Raven relaxed a little. “Being here as Levi’s fiancée is different. It makes me nervous because they’re always sizing me up.”
Jonah and Levi had excused themselves to hit the men’s room so it was just the two of them at the table.
“Who sizes you up?”
“All the women who figured they’d be making a play for Levi.”
“So there you are all vibrant and young and really hot. My god, they must flip out.”
“You’re really good for my ego.” Daisy grinned. “The artist thing helps. I know many of these people in my own right. But the whole society thing? That’s Levi’s neck of the woods.”
“Which makes you . . . What do they call it? A power couple. I mean, he’s the money and you’re the talent. Both of you are easy on the eyes. You’re all charming in that way only a very few people are.”
“I am?”
“Um, yes. Unlike me. I’m just going to try really hard not to say anything at all tonight.”
Daisy’s eyebrows flew up. “For god’s sake, why?”
“Look, I like Jonah. He’s a lovely man and he’s good to me. I know I’m . . . an acquired taste. I don’t want to embarrass him.”
Daisy’s expression softened as she reached out to pat Raven’s hand. “You’re who you are. More than anyone else I’ve ever met. And that’s a good thing, believe it or not. I’m just saying, sure, sure, don’t blurt out that such and such has clearly had her lips done no matter how much she tells you she’s just got that youthful glow or whatever, but you’re not going to embarrass Jonah. He wouldn’t have invited you if he’d had any worries at all.”