Black Tie Optional (Wild Wedding Series Book 1)

by Ann Marie Walker

  “Charming.” Meredith smirked. “It’s just as well, this weekend turned out to be much busier than I expected.” She took another sip of her tea. “You know, so many people assume that having a building dedicated in your name is nothing more than a glorified vanity plate. But when I make a donation to a charity, and ask others to do the same, I consider it my duty to see that the funds are put to good use.”

  “Of course.” Olivia’s pulse raced. She knew exactly where the conversation was headed, but there was nothing she could do to stop the speeding train. Interrupting her in any way would reveal Olivia’s discomfort, a weakness Meredith would no doubt exploit. She had no choice but to let her keep talking.

  “So you can imagine my relief when we were able to bring in a world-class doctor to head the Cancer Center’s new research department.” Meredith’s steady gaze never once left Olivia’s as she set her tea cup back on the china saucer. Slowly and methodically, she dabbed the corner of her mouth with the linen napkin before folding it neatly and smoothing it across the lap of her pale pink Chanel suit. “I think he’s a friend of yours actually. Doctor Derek Hunt?”

  Olivia did her best to remain impassive as Meredith studied her face for any hint of a reaction. There was no point in denying their connection. It was obviously the reason he’d been sought out in the first place. “We were classmates,” Olivia said. Much to her relief, her voice was level as she spoke. “He’s very dedicated to his work. The Center is lucky to have him.”

  “Perhaps a bit too dedicated some might say.” Meredith gave a dramatic sigh. “I see it all the time, men driven to pursue their career regardless of the collateral damage in their personal lives.”

  There was no way Olivia was going to take that bait. It was bad enough the she-devil was attempting to manipulate her life like a puppeteer, but she didn’t have to give her the added satisfaction of witnessing a reaction. “I’m sure he’ll do a wonderful job, but Dr. Hunt’s personal life is really none of my concern.”

  Olivia reached for her cappuccino. Meredith’s gaze shifted to Olivia’s left hand and her eyes narrowed. “I see you’re no longer wearing the diamond Cole gave you.” She lifted her chin, looking down her nose at Olivia with the judgmental air of a woman who considered herself above reproach. “Some might wonder if that has anything to do with the unexpected return of the good doctor.”

  Enough was enough. Olivia set her cup back down and met Meredith’s steely gaze with one of her own.

  “Some might wonder if people who spend that much time worrying about others are really just lonely and bitter and need to get a life of their own.” She smirked. “But I’m sure that wouldn’t apply to anyone we know, or at least anyone whose opinion matters to us, so either way it’s of little concern. That ring means the world to me because it belonged to Cole’s mother, but my line of work requires a hands-on approach and the last thing I would ever want to do is lose or damage a family heirloom. Plus, truth be told,” she lowered her voice, “it’s a bit ostentatious for daily wear, don’t you think?” Her gaze dropped to the large stones Meredith wore on each of her hands. “Oh, I guess not.”

  Meredith’s nostrils flared. “I’m sure I can think of a few tabloids that would find this all very fascinating.”

  Olivia placed her napkin on the table. “If you want to tell people that your new granddaughter-in-law doesn’t feel the need to flaunt your family money, then by all means, go right ahead.” She shrugged. “Seems to me that a wife who isn’t interested in Cole’s money or status would be a plus. Some might even call it romantic. But hey, what do I know?”

  As the words left her mouth, she became aware of just how true they were. Olivia didn’t give a damn about wearing diamonds or eating at fancy restaurants. That wasn’t who she was, and it was high time she stopped pretending otherwise. She could be Cole’s wife and still climb around job sites in her faded jeans and she could most certainly eat a salad she’d packed at home in a reusable container. She’d been so worried about playing a role, she’d lost sight of what really mattered. The realization brought her a sense of clarity she hadn’t felt in days.

  Olivia stood. “If reporters want to ask me about any of this, then they’re more than welcome to. I’ll tell them the same thing I’m telling you. I’m in love with your grandson, Mrs. Grant. I don’t need a ring to remind me of that.”

  She turned and saw Cassie waiting for her by the exit, a small shopping bag of their uneaten food in her hand. Running on nothing but caffeine and adrenaline, Olivia stalked out of the restaurant with her head held high. It wasn’t until she reached the elevator that the reality of what she’d blurted out hit her.

  I’m in love with your grandson.

  The words had come so easily. Was that because she was getting better at their ruse, or was it possible her feelings for Cole had changed? Olivia shook her head to clear it. It was just the stress and lack of food finally getting to her. It had to be. There was no way she was falling in love with Coleman Grant.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Cole paced the floor of his office. Seemed as though he’d been doing a lot of that in the short time he’d been married. At the rate things were going, he’d to have to replace the carpet before his one-month anniversary.

  It was an offhanded thought, but the implication brought him to an abrupt halt. When he’d proposed their venture, he envisioned counting down the days until he could file for a divorce. And now he was thinking about anniversaries? The universe had one fucking sense of humor, that was for sure. The whole situation was starting to feel like a repeated kick to the balls. Of course, the real question was which thought made Olivia happier, leaving or staying? Fuck if he had any clue.

  Cole moved closer to the floor-to-ceiling windows and shoved a frustrated hand through his hair. Below him the city of Chicago was literally his for the taking and yet his own wife remained an elusive enigma.

  His eyes narrowed on the river, twisting and turning through a maze of steel and glass buildings before flowing into Lake Michigan. A lone boat was making its way toward the open water, and Cole watched as the many drawbridges began to rise in a slow but synchronized effort. There was a beauty in the order of the process and watching the progression had always calmed and centered him. But not this time. Cole’s brain was running on far too many cylinders to be quieted by maritime maneuvers. He needed something to focus on that would command his full attention.

  He dug his phone out of his pocket and placed a call to Rebecca in the hopes that she was free to grab a cup of coffee. But when it took her longer than usual to answer, his intent shifted from invitation to concern. “Is everything all right?” he asked, foregoing any greeting.

  “Well, hello to you too,” she said with a laugh.

  “I’m serious, Bec. It took you a while to answer. Are you okay?”

  “I was just elbow deep in flower arrangements, and my phone was in my bag.” She sighed. “Honestly Cole, you’ve got to stop assuming the worst all the time.”

  The tension in his shoulders eased. “So everything is okay?”

  “Yes, just as it was the last three times you called. I love you, big brother, but you’re going to give one of us a stroke.” Her tone turned playful. “Besides, don’t you think dude in a suit would have called you if something was wrong?”

  Shit.

  “Yeah, I know he’s still lurking.”

  Cole braced himself for her reaction. “Are you pissed?”

  “Nah, but I consider him to be more for your benefit than mine. Now, if you don’t mind, I need to get back to work. Some of us have a major corporation to run.” He could hear the smile in her voice.

  “Coffee later?”

  She groaned. “I wish, but I have a four hundred seat wedding Saturday, a bride who has suddenly decided she needs everything gluten free, a vendor who can’t find a missing bridesmaid’s dress, and a shipment of tulips that have apparently disappeared into the Bermuda Triangle.”

  Christ, and he thou
ght hostile takeovers were rough. “I’ll take that as a no.”

  “Unfortunately. How about brunch on Sunday? Something tells me I will be in serious need of a mimosa by then.”

  “Deal, as long as you make mine a scotch.”

  “Deal, as long as you bring Olivia,” she said, hanging up the phone before Cole had a chance to reply.

  He’d no sooner locked his cell when the phone on his desk chimed. Normally the high-pitched sound represented an interruption but given the circumstances Cole found himself actually welcoming the intrusion. He hit the speaker button. “Yes.”

  “There’s a Miss Cassandra Miller here to see you,” his assistant Yvonne said through the speaker. “She said you would know what it’s regarding.”

  Cassandra Miller? Cole began running through a mental inventory of the women he’d done business with and when that didn’t yield any results he moved on to the women he’d slept with. Nope, there wasn’t a Cassandra Miller on either list.

  As if on cue a notification popped up on his desktop monitor. It was from Yvonne.

  “Cassandra (Cassie) Miller, recent culinary school graduate and best friend of Olivia Ramsey Grant,” it read. God bless Yvonne. The woman was not only the best damn executive assistant he’d ever come across, but there were times when he thought she was a human computer as well. Her ability to store, catalog, and retrieve even the most minute information on a moment’s notice was uncanny. As was her knack for saving his ass. Of course, he knew who Cassie was, but in his current state of mind he’d drawn a complete blank.

  He hit the button again. “Thank you, Yvonne. Send her in.”

  A moment later Cassie stepped through the door. She was wearing a blue and white polka-dot dress and holding a small black shopping bag in her hands. A look of unease crossed her face as she took in her surroundings. Cole’s office was decorated with the same austere elegance as his home. Everything—from his glass top desk, to the wall of LCD monitors, to the pair of sofas that faced each other on the far end of the room—was designed to send the message that he was a man of great means with little regard for sentiment. He found it an effective tool for intimidating the competition. Although in this case he suspected Cassie’s expression had nothing to do with her environment and everything to do with whatever had brought her to his office.

  “Sorry,” she said, still standing awkwardly at the threshold. “Hope I’m not interrupting.”

  “Not at all. Please, come in,” he said, gesturing to one of the two chairs in front of his desk. He took a seat in his white leather chair and watched as she took hers. The last time he’d seen Cassie had been in Las Vegas, the night of his wedding. She and Conor had taken it upon themselves to give the two of them a honeymoon lecture. If his instincts were right, and they usually were, he was about to get more of the same. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

  “I was just in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by.” Her gaze shifted to the windows behind him and her eyes grew wide. It was a reaction Cole had grown accustomed to. The Grant Industries headquarters boasted one of the city’s most sweeping views.

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes. I had lunch with your wife at Spiaggia. On your tab.” She gave him a sheepish smile. “Thanks for that by the way.”

  He leaned back in his chair. “That would explain the bag.”

  Cassie glanced down at the paper bag in her hands as if she’d forgotten she was holding it. “Oh, umm, yeah, Olivia didn’t have much of an appetite.”

  Cole flinched at her words. Not much came between Olivia and her favorite foods and Cole had seen firsthand how much the woman loved pasta. If Olivia passed on Chef Tony’s cuisine, then she was even more upset than she’d let on. “She’s not eating?”

  “Not sleeping either from the looks of it.” Cassie scooted to the edge of her seat. “Okay, forget what I said about being in the neighborhood. I mean, I was, but that’s not why I came by,” she said, not stopping to take a breath. “I know Olivia will kill me when she finds out I talked to you, but I’m her best friend, and I’m really worried about her and well, sometimes best friends have to stick their nose in it if that’s what’s needed, even if it means—”

  “Relax, Ms. Miller.” If he hadn’t interrupted her, Cole feared she might pass out from lack of air. “We both want what’s best for Olivia,” he reassured her. “There’s no conspiracy here, but this can remain between us if you’d prefer.”

  She shook her head. “No. Livvy and I don’t have any secrets.”

  Christ, did everyone but him get to call her by that blasted nickname?

  Cassie took a deep breath, using the moment to compose herself. “Derek’s back.” She said it as though this was new information. Even before her “no secrets” disclaimer, there was little doubt she’d heard the story from start to finish, which meant she was well aware this wasn’t news to him. What was it about women that made them feel the need to lay groundwork for a conversation? Like most men, Cole preferred to get to the point. In, out, done. But this was Cassie’s meeting, and the discomfort she felt was so potent it was almost tangible. It couldn’t have been easy for her to come to his office. The least he could do was let her spit it out in her own time.

  Cole kept his gaze impassive. “Yes, I had the pleasure of meeting him last night.” He tried his best to keep the sarcasm out of his voice, but his opinion of his wife’s ex was difficult to hide.

  “Yeah, I feel the same way,” she said, perfectly reading his tone.

  “You knew them as a couple, am I right?” Tension coiled in Cole’s gut as the image from the framed photo he’d seen the night before flashed through his mind.

  “Not in the early years, like high school and stuff. But we all knew each other in college so I had a front-row seat for that.” She sighed. “And everything that happened after.”

  “The engagement.”

  Her head snapped up, and her gaze met his. “She told you about that?”

  “Not directly,” Cole admitted. “Then how—?”

  “I overheard Derek say something about the ring he gave her. Wasn’t hard to put together.”

  “They were both very young when they started dating. It’s all Olivia knew. So when Derek broke it off . . .” Cassie looked as though she might cry. “I know deep down he’s a good guy. What he’s done for all those sick kids in some really terrible conditions is truly amazing. But what he did to her . . .” She swiped her index finger under her eye to catch a stray tear, then sat up straighter in her chair. “Look, there’s no nice way to say this. He was a total dick to her.” There was a certainty to her voice that left little room for doubt. “He took off without even saying goodbye.” She rolled her eyes. “Wrote her a note saying it was easier that way.”

  “Sounds like the good doctor ducked out of an uncomfortable situation by citing ease.” Cole had never been bothered by his own similar behavior, but hearing tell of it from the other side brought an unwelcome pang of regret.

  “He’s lucky he was across the ocean or he would have been ducking away from my fist.”

  Cassie’s concern for her friend was undeniable, but the image of her taking a swing at Derek was too much, and despite his anger, Cole found himself having to struggle to keep a straight face. “I think that’s something I’d pay good money to see.”

  “At the rate things are going, it just might happen.”

  You’ll have to wait in line behind me, Cole thought. “After Derek left, Livvy pretty much shut down that part of her life. She started focusing on work and kept any guys who came along to like a two or three date max.”

  Cole sat up, resting his elbows on the desk and steepling his fingers in front of him as he processed this new information. There was so much he wanted to ask, so many details he needed to know. In many ways, his wife was still a puzzle to him. But he had to play it cool. He needed a few more pieces to fall into place before he tipped his hand.

  Before he had the chance to ask any follow ups, Cassi
e stood. “I guess I just wanted you to know the score.” A thought occurred to her, and her green eyes grew wide. “Oh, I almost forgot, your grandmother was at the restaurant today too.”

  A muscle in Cole’s jaw ticked. “What did she do?”

  “Aside from sending over a tray of desserts that will require at least two hours of hard gym time? Nothing. Olivia totally held her own, and from what I could see it was driving Granny Grant batshit crazy.”

  Hearing that shouldn’t have pleased him quite so much, but there was no denying the grin that tugged at the corner if his lips. “Thank you, Miss Miller. This has been very . . . enlightening.” Cole moved to stand, but Cassie held up her hand.

  “I can see myself out. I’ve taken up enough of your time.” She started to turn away, then stopped. “This is probably none of my business, but I’m in this deep, so what the hell. I don’t know exactly what’s going on between the two of you, and maybe you don’t either, but I think it might be worth exploring.”

  “That’s not entirely my call.”

  She glanced around his office then flashed him a knowing smile. “You’re obviously a man who doesn’t give up easily. And if you ask me, she’s worth the fight.”

  Olivia stared at her laptop. The wrap-up call, or in this case Skype, was usually one of her favorite parts of a job. The moment she and the client got to bask in their success. Lord knows she didn’t do it for the money. Although despite the fact that she’d not only accomplished her objection, but exceed it, Olivia was having a hard time concentrating on the man on the screen in front of her. Ever since her sit down with Meredith Grant, there’d only been one man on her mind: her husband.