I took the water, as I’d never had alcohol of any kind. But I held it without drinking and said, “Wow, no wonder Lana wanted to go to the wedding. What about you?”
Olivia bounced on her feet. “Single. Still a teacher.”
“So you’re the slacker,” I said, and my lips curled higher.
Olivia pressed her hand on my shoulder and said, “You’re funny, Emily.”
My stomach untwisted. Lana would have punished me for my comment, but here, with familiar faces, parts of my old personality popped out. Olivia directed us back to the tables and introduced me to the people sitting there. “This is Mary and her son, Bruce, and her brother Joseph.”
Mary jumped up and said, “I remember you.”
“Good,” I said, and cooed at the baby in her arms.
Olivia turned to the next group. “This is Zoey. Her sister, Natalie, is with Indigo already. Of course, you remember Jason.”
The memory hit me. Jason was my age and not related to me. We’d raced our bicycles in the park, long ago. He’d fostered with my cousins for a while, but then he’d moved back in with his parents. He must have stayed in touch with my cousins all this time.
Olivia ushered me toward the video gamers. I stood next to Stone as she said, “Here we have Brad, George, Keanu, Vince, Mark, Ewan, Hugh, Chris and Russell.”
I’d forgotten I was related to so many people. I smiled and waved hello, and let the guys go on playing. Then I squeezed Olivia’s hand. “Thank you for letting me on the flight.”
Olivia placed her other hand on my shoulder and said, “Indigo is paying for the plane. And we’re all glad you’re here. Go and relax.”
I started back toward Jason’s table, mumbling to myself, “To think Lana, Cleo and Coco are flying coach.”
Olivia asked, “Did you want them to join us here?”
“No!” I cringed. The last thing I needed was to return to years of pain. I said, “It was a passing thought. Do you know if there is some family discount for buying a dress for the wedding?”
“Absolutely,” Olivia said. “Indigo is big on ensuring all of us Steels look the part of a billionaire family, but she knows most of us shop the discount sale aisle where 75% off is worth checking out the rack.”
I slid into the seat next to Jason. Part of moving forward was facing my past, and today, I remembered friends and family with pride, and with my chest a little higher in the air.
I’m Emily Steel and that’s pretty awesome.
Chapter 6
Emily
The plane landed too soon. I hadn’t talked enough to Jason, who remembered my parents. All my cousins had acted like I was still one of them, and no one had insulted me. I had forgotten how it felt to be part of a family. It was like no time had passed at all. Jason brought up so many childhood memories, and when he laughed, I did too. It was nice, for once, to talk to someone who seemed to easily get me.
We headed off the plane, and limos were waiting at the terminal to pick us up.
I’d never seen so many lined up. I guessed prom would have been like that, but of course, I didn’t go. And, these were all for family.
The Steels weren’t all poor relations I’d be happy to never see again, as Lana had said. My shoulders were lighter now that I was surrounded by family.
The air outside was warm but it wasn’t steamy. As we left the airport, green vineyards lined the roads around us. I kept staring out the window until we arrived at a huge estate that could double as a castle.
The white canopies set in the front were clearly for a wedding. It was breathtaking. And, somehow, I was here. This was my life for the weekend.
As we stepped out onto the driveway, I stared up at the three-story stone facade of the mansion that looked like a fairy tale castle.
The air from the vineyard was clean, and the smell of grapes permeated my lungs. I climbed up the marble steps and, as I stepped inside, Stone directed me to the check-in. We showed our licenses, and the cashier handed me a wedding schedule.
I read it and saw shopping on my list.
Wow. This was a two-day event.
I was handed a plastic key to my own room. Seriously? I blinked in disbelief, but then Stone winked at me and said, “We’re with family.”
That was another fantasy I’d had, and now it was coming true. I swallowed. A valet took my bag with my new clothes in it and disappeared upstairs.
My brother was checking out a brunette in the lobby. She looked like his ex-girlfriend, Vanessa, so I waved goodbye and left him alone to ogle.
Jason, with his short blond hair and blue eyes, came over and bumped into me. He glanced at my schedule. “You’re seriously going to the get your hair done at a place called Fairy Godmother?”
I laughed and pointed to the next stop on the family agenda. “The dress shop is The Glass Slipper. It’s funny.”
The guys were getting fitted at a place called The Royal Palace. “Indigo is clearly playing up the whole Cinderella thing.”
Jason nodded and pointed up. We both stared at the crystal chandelier that sparkled over the lobby. He said, “I’m happy we’re together again.”
“I missed having a friend,” I said. A thrill rushed through me. I had a sense that my life was about to change, forever.
Jason led me outside again to the waiting limos.
“Our older cousins clearly married well,” he said. “I’m pre-med. I want to be a doctor and help people, and maybe then the girl I want will notice me. What about you? Breaking some guy’s heart when you head off to college?”
“Jason, I’m not interested in guys. I’m going to Austen in the fall.” I lifted my chin, sure of myself.
As we stood on the top step, a big silver car with a Rolls-Royce insignia pulled up in front of the hotel. I didn’t recognize the classy man with a suntan who stepped out, or his beautiful, brown-haired wife. They both looked elegant. Then, a moment later, I stopped breathing entirely. The sexiest guy I’d ever seen—with light brown hair streaked with blond, muscles everywhere, and a regal nose—stepped out. My stomach twisted as adrenaline spiked through me.
Who was he? My mouth watered and my heart pitter-pattered as he walked up the stairs with the two older people who must be his parents. He didn’t even blink at me as he passed.
He wasn’t lanky like other boys I knew. No, whoever Mr. Sexy was, he was graceful, like swans I’d seen at the park. As he stepped inside, I noticed his butt was shaped like a bubble underneath his gray pants.
I only started to breathe again when he went inside.
Jason dragged me into a waiting limo and scowled. “If you are ever interested in a guy, I hope you notice the one right in front of you.”
My face heated. The tall, light brown, almost dirty blond, handsome man had been like a fantasy from a dream. I tried to think of an excuse for how I’d acted, but my mind just replayed the way he’d sailed past me. I lowered my eyes. “I … Fine. Sorry. Who was that guy? Someone in the family?”
The driver took off as I settled into the seat.
“I don’t know, I’ve never met him before. Probably related to the groom.”
Jason took the bottle of wine from the limo bar and poured us both glasses. I wasn’t sure how to say "no". No one had ever shoved a glass of wine at me before. I held it as he settled into his seat.
“Everyone’s missed you, Emily. How come you stayed away from family gatherings until now?”
Lana must have hidden any invitation that came for me. I dared myself and sipped the wine. Jason was clearly still invited to everything, though he wasn’t even a blood relation. I sipped the wine again and my lips tingled. Who knew wine was sweet, almost like a light punch? I said, “I never knew about them. I would have come if I’d known. This entire wedding is filled with so many faces I remember.”
“I’m glad you decided to rejoin the Steels. I don’t know if I’d have survived this long if I’d not been accepted into your family.” He sipped from his glass.
; I should have looked for my cousins after Stone left, though Lana had made it almost impossible for me to have contact with anyone. That might have been a way to get help. But I’d never have guessed that any of my family might end up living in luxury, while I’d been hidden away in an unlit basement. I swallowed and said, “I missed you, too.”
“You’re here now.” He clinked his glass with mine, so I took another sip. Once we finished, he said, “I’m a big fan of your brother. I’m hoping he wins the gold.”
My stomach knotted. “Me too, though I’m scared he’ll be hurt.”
He cocked his head as we headed into a small downtown area where people were walking along the sidewalks, laughing together. I hadn't seen so much cheer in years.
“Your brother is determined and dedicated. He’s sure to be successful. I wish I had his fucking drive.”
I didn’t turn away from the window. “To win, he needs to face tough competition. He could get hurt any second.”
“He’s strong.”
“Yeah. Look, I always worry about him. He’s all I have. Why are you smiling?”
He leaned closer, and the familiar scent of Old Spice, like my dad used to wear, caught my attention. He said, “I’m excited to start at UCLA in the fall. It’s always summer in California.”
“I’m happy for you,” I said and glanced out the window.
The limo stopped, and my breath caught in my throat again.
The same earth-shatteringly handsome Mr. Sexy was walking down the street. His muscles were so pronounced that they were visible under the close-fitting white shirt of his.
He walked with his head up, like he owned the world, and my hands literally shook just from staring at him.
He went into The Royal Palace, so I was pretty sure he was there for the wedding. I’d better not be related to him. Jason waved his hand in front of me and said, “Earth to Emily.”
I pointed to the door of the shop and said, “Sorry. It’s like I know who that guy is, but I don’t.”
The driver opened our door and Jason dragged me toward the street. “Maybe he’s a distant cousin,” he said. “Go get yourself a dress and I’ll pop in to get my suit.”
My stomach twisted. I hoped I wasn’t related to a man that made my skin have goosebumps. No one had ever made my blood feel such shockwaves before.
Jason and I laughed at the name of the place as we passed the sign: The Glass Slipper. Then we headed into the blue and white store together.
An older woman with glasses and white hair, dressed in a light blue dress, sat behind the desk. She reminded me a bit of a fairy.
“Are you with the Steel-Donovan wedding party?”
“We are,” Jason said. “This is Emily Steel.”
She checked my name on her clipboard and said, “Go and pick out two dresses. One for the rehearsal tonight, and one for the wedding tomorrow.”
I stepped in front of a rack of chiffon dresses and caught the near-thousand-dollar price tag. My heart lurched and I said, “Ohh. Your prices are high.”
Jason headed toward the door.
The saleslady had a smile on her face. She shrugged. “Your two dresses are already paid for, just choose what you like, and I’ll have my tailors fix you up.”
Two dresses were almost all I could afford on my own, if I spent every dime I’d sweated to earn. My cousin was spending a lot on me. I ignored the butterflies in my stomach as I searched through one rack, then the second.
The salesclerk who reminded me of a fairy stopped me. “That green would look great on you.”
I’d always liked St. Patrick’s Day green, and this was perfect. I picked it up and held it to my body, like Lana always had my stepsisters do. “Thanks. Pastels were never really my thing.”
She tossed a blue dress at me and said, “I can see that. You could pull off something more dramatic. You’d rock this midnight blue.”
“Okay. Thanks. Let me go and try them on,” I said and headed toward the fitting room.
Both of the dresses were knee length, and one was sleeveless.
The silky blue chiffon looked great and, for once, I loved how I looked. People would hardly recognize me in it.
I took both her suggestions, though a red dress caught my eye as I left.
I’d never worn a bright red dress, but a wedding probably wasn’t the place to start.
Jason returned to the store carrying his suit while I headed toward the cashier to check out. She handed me a paper receipt for almost $2000 but she’d written “paid” across it. My lips thinned, but Jason tugged my arm and said, “Let’s get back now.”
Maybe one day I’d do something this kind for someone else, when I had a full-time job. I shoved the receipt in my back pocket and followed Jason. He was right. We were done and it was time to get back.
I took my bags and followed Jason, but as we walked onto the street to get back into our limo, Mr. Sexy left the suit shop carrying his own bag.
My pulse zipped. He glanced up and down my body and I could hardly breathe. For once in my life, I hoped Lana was wrong about me being horrible looking. I waited till his beautiful blue eyes met mine. Those dimples of his were brighter than the stars. He placed his hand on my shoulder and my skin pulsated with energy as he said, “Hi.”
“Hi, yourself,” I said and went on my tiptoes. I’d never wash this shirt again. I’d never forget how the touch of his hand on my body made me ache.
I swallowed. I needed air and I wasn’t sure I’d ever breathe right again, but I asked, “Are you a wedding guest?”
“Yes.” He laughed, then squeezed my shoulder like we shared a secret now. “Meet me at the rehearsal dinner for a drink?”
Wow. I’d never forget this moment. He made movie stars look ugly in comparison. I nodded and said, “Sure.”
The limo pulled up beside me, but I hardly noticed. Being near Mr. Sexy was like being in heaven itself. I never wanted this moment to end. I was in a world I’d never understand. Jason waved at the driver and tugged me toward the car. I ducked in, but I stared at Mr. Sexy until we departed.
Jason asked me, “What’s going on, Emily?”
I put my bags down and replayed my conversation with Mr. Sexy in my head. Then I blinked, and there was Jason. I let out a small sigh and said, “I don’t know. He’s nice.”
“He’s a Donovan,” he said. “I heard his name in the store. That’s all I know.”
My heart leapt. He wasn’t related. I shook my head and took the second glass of wine he gave me. “He asked if we could talk at the rehearsal dinner tonight.”
Jason’s lips thinned but he sipped his wine. Then, he asked, “You’re interested in that guy?”
“I don’t know. We’ll talk for a few minutes at the rehearsal dinner,” I said, and didn’t quite explain how my heart was still pounding a million beats per second from the memory of his simple touch.
Jason couldn’t understand this. I absolutely didn’t.
He sipped his drink and his cheeks grew rosy. “Did you ever wonder about me, Emily?”
“Of course,” I said. “It helped to think about the good people I knew, and you always qualified.”
His lips pressed together into a frown again. My mind whizzed as I wondered why. Had he not liked my answer? I swallowed. I didn’t want to share more about those years. No one needed to know about my life before this. It was over now. And I’d never go back.
Our limo returned to the gorgeous mansion surrounded by a vineyard I’d not explored yet. Jason shepherded me out of the car and said, “Well, let’s go to our rooms and change. You have a date later.”
A date? That meant speaking more than a few words, and so far, I’d not had that ability near Mr. Sexy. But hopefully, surrounded by my family, I’d be more comfortable.
I showered. The free soaps smelled of lavender and reminded me of my mom. She’d have loved this.
The steam of the warm water made my skin practically glow pink and clean.
I tugged the blu
e dress on, as the green was better for tomorrow. As I zipped the back, I heard a knock at the door.
My brother walked in with more bags from The Glass Slipper. He handed them to me as two women passed by us and set up with brushes and makeup at the table in my room.
“What’s all this?” I asked.
“Fairy Godmother is here for hair and makeup.” He pointed to the women. Then, he nodded at the bags in my hand and said, “I talked to Indigo, Sis. You need real clothes and shoes and a supply of things for college, and the ladies at the store knew your size.”
At a thousand dollars for a dress, whatever was in these bags was too expensive. I tried to give them back and said, “You don’t have to spend money on me.”
He held his hands up and said, “I actually didn’t, but I will. You’re the only one in my life worth spending money on.”
I hugged him as tears washed down my face. “I never knew my brother would turn into my real-life fairy godmother.”
He laughed and slapped his knee as he backed out the door.
I walked over to the women. They wrapped a black smock over my dress, and I sat in the chair while they did my makeup.
The last person who’d ever put makeup on me was my mom, and that was years ago. The feather-like sensation on my eyelids made me remember when I was young, sitting with my mom in her bathroom as she brushed eyeshadow on me.
When they had finished, I glanced at myself in the mirror. With my brown hair up, and a ribbon that matched my dress tied between the pinned curls, I looked so different. No one would call me ugly tonight. For once, I was the opposite. I was gorgeous.
My new silver shoes fit like a glove, even though they were heels. It took me a few minutes to figure out how to walk in them, but I soon floated.
That was the right word, because I was living in a dream come true.
But my bubble burst when I stepped into the ballroom.
Everyone glowed. As I descended the stairs, my gaze locked onto Mr. Sexy. I still had no idea who he was, except that he was related to the groom. My heart constricted as I recognized the two girls on either side of him.
Charming Boyfriend: A Cinderella Retelling (Steel Series Book 8) Page 5