~ Gretchen ~
Jack called on New Year’s Eve to tell me he was going to Josh’s restaurant that night to ring in the New Year. Since he knew Scott wouldn’t be in town, he asked if I wanted to go. As soon as I told him I was going with Sophie, he groaned.
“She’s nice, Jack, and one of my best friends, so please don’t be like the big brother she doesn’t have or want.” I put my phone on speaker and held my dress up in front of me as I stared into my full-length mirror.
“Sis, trust me, having one little sister is enough for me. Be careful tonight.”
I set my dress on the bed. “I’m always careful and I have a boyfriend, so it isn’t like I’m going to get into trouble. Plus, you and Josh will be there. How much trouble can I get into with my bodyguards in the same room? Maybe I should be giving you the same advice. According to Sophie, you look like you stepped off the cover of GQ’s millionaire edition.”
“Really? That’s what she said? Hmm, maybe she’s not so bad after all.” He let out a chuckle.
“Good-bye, Jack. I love you, and I’ll see you tonight.”
“I’ll send a car for you. I don’t want you two drinking and driving.”
And my big brother is back.
“Not necessary, but thank you. If we drink too much, we’ll take an Uber home.”
“I’ll have a car there, and Josh will as well. I don’t want you in a stranger’s car.”
Rather than arguing that Uber drivers were legit, I simply said, “Fine. I’ll see you later.”
Sophie arrived at my apartment a little later decked out in a formfitting little red off-the-shoulder cocktail dress. Her dark hair was pulled off her face but still had waves cascading down her back.
“Holy shit. You look amazing.”
She spun around. “Do you like? I had Antoine do my makeup.” Her eyelashes fluttered dramatically. “The man may bat for the other team, but he knows how to make a woman look and feel beautiful.”
“Your eyes look bluer than blue.”
Sophie took my hands in hers. “Damn, girl, you don’t need Antoine. You always look gorgeous. This dress is perfect on you and your makeup is flawless, not that you need a lot of it.”
Truth be told, I felt pretty. I was always taught to wear my clothes and not let them wear me, and I treated my beauty regimen with the same philosophy. Aside from eyeliner, dark eye shadow, and ruby-red lips, I kept the rest of it minimal, just accentuating some of my favorite attributes.
When I turned a bit, Sophie whistled like a construction worker who saw a hot chick. “Those stockings should be illegal. Girl, that seam is sexy as hell. Guys will want to know where it leads.”
She winked and I rolled my eyes. Once again, she forgot that I wasn’t out to land a guy tonight.
“Let’s get out of here and head to Prism before my brother sends out a search party.”
We went downstairs to find a black sedan with tinted windows waiting in front of my building.
Sophie stopped dead in her tracks. “Wow, did you call for a car?”
I let out a breath. “No, that’s one of Jack’s.”
The driver stepped out of the car, an older man who had worked for Jack for years. “Good evening, Miss Gretchen.”
“Hello, Edward. I assume Jack sent you?”
“Yes, you know how he is. I was working anyway, so he thought you’d like a ride. You’ll be joining him at Prism, correct?”
Like my brother, he wasn’t going to take no for an answer, nor was I going to protest.
When I nodded, he opened the back door. I introduced Sophie to him and sank into the soft leather seat. My brother might be hardheaded, but he had great taste in automobiles.
* * *
At the sight of the line of eager partygoers outside Prism, my heart soared for Josh. He put his heart and soul into his business, and to see it thrive like this was exciting. I waved to the man at the door, who moved the red velvet rope aside to let us in.
A pretty young woman handed out noisemakers and party hats. She handed me a tiara laden with rhinestones, and Sophie decided on a silver top hat with HAPPY NEW YEAR in black and gold on the front.
Once we’d donned our headwear, we took in the ambience. The restaurant had been transformed. Gold, white, silver, and black balloons were placed around the perimeter. Dinner tables were moved to one side of the room to create a makeshift dance floor. A band was set up on the far end, and the bar was flooded with customers.
Music boomed through the restaurant, and Sophie’s eyes sparkled when she turned to me. “Wow, this place is jumping. It looks so different.”
A woman came up to us. “Hi, I’m Jennifer, and you must be Gretchen. I’ve seen your picture in your brother’s office.”
“Hi, Jennifer. Yes, I’m Gretchen.”
We shook hands, and she led us to a table with a reserved sign atop it.
“Josh wanted to make sure you were comfortable.” She smiled. “Can I get either of you a drink?”
After we ordered two glasses of champagne, Sophie began to scan the room. “So, who will be our midnight target?”
“Soph, how many times do I need to tell you, I’m not kissing anyone?”
She waved me off, then her eyes widened. “I call dibs on that hottie.”
I turned to look but didn’t see who she was talking about. “Who?”
“Oh my God. He’s talking to Jack and they’re coming over.” She shifted in her seat, and did she just squeal?
“Hello, Gretchen.”
When I heard his voice, my heart slammed against my ribs and caught in my throat. Dressed all in black, he looked like the nicest bad boy I knew.
“Mason, I didn’t know you’d be here.”
Did the heat turn on? Why was I sweating? Why was Sophie jutting her chest out, fanning her hand over it? Was she sweating too? What was happening? I was too young for a hot flash.
Jack smirked all-knowingly and leaned down to give me a kiss on the cheek before sitting in one of the empty chairs. Mason sat in the other.
Sophie eagerly stretched out her hand. “I’m Sophie.” She batted her long eyelashes at him.
For some reason, I felt territorial over Mason. No, I didn’t have that right, but before I knew it, I was pushing her toward Jack.
“Jack, you remember Sophie, right?”
He lowered his brows before turning to my gawking friend with her impressive cleavage. “Yes, how could I forget.” His monotone voice didn’t match the smile on his face.
“Thank you for sending a car for us tonight.”
Sophie continued to fawn while I tried to stifle a giggle at my brother. I didn’t know why she sounded so impressed. Her family had as much as Jack did.
“Anything for my sister.” Jack turned toward me. “I wanted to pop over and say hello, but I left a few ladies at the bar. Nice hats, by the way.” He smiled and left.
With Jack gone, Sophie angled herself toward Mason. “How do you two know each other?” She rested her elbow on the table and propped her chin in her hand. I’d never seen such a dreamy look in her eyes. She was definitely enthralled.
Mason smiled and said, “I met her through Lucy.”
Our eyes connected, and suddenly I was at a loss for words.
When a good-looking guy walked up to our table a moment later and asked Sophie to dance, she excused herself and followed the stranger to the dance floor. On the way, she turned and mouthed oh my God.
“You look beautiful.” Mason’s gaze flicked on the sparkling tiara on my head, and he grinned. “You look like a princess.”
I grinned. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
His smile faltered a bit. “I’m not going to pretend not to know your boyfriend isn’t coming. Jack told me when I saw you.” He placed his hand on the back of my chair. “I’m sorry, Gretch.”
I did my best not to look sad. Having anyone feel bad for me wasn’t what I wanted. Mustering up the brightest smile I could, I said, “It’s fine, really. I’m here with fr
iends and family, so it’ll be a great night.” And I’m getting used to it, I added mentally, but I kept that last part to myself.
As Mason leaned back in his chair, his shirt tightened across his torso. If I was looking, I could have counted his abs—fine, there were eight.
“Can I be your friendly escort tonight?”
I could feel my forehead crinkle. After I looked around at the available women, I asked, “Wouldn’t you rather have fun with a single woman? You never know; you could get lucky.” I waggled my eyebrows and took a sip of champagne.
“The way I see it, if I’m with you, I’m the luckiest guy in the room.” He smiled.
Holy swoon. “Well, since you put it that way.” I let out a laugh, but warmth radiated through my body.
“I did, and I’ll take that as a yes. Now, let’s go dance.”
As we made our way to the now crowded dance floor, women of all ages looked at Mason. I couldn’t blame them; he was a gorgeous specimen of a man. He pulled me into his arms and smiled. If the pounding in my chest was any indication of what this man could do to women, I envied the one who would eventually catch him.
“Tell me, Mason, do you have anyone special in California?” It was unfathomable that he didn’t have women clamoring for him.
“No one special. Just, you know.” He spun me around, and I spotted Sophie dancing with a handsome guy and Jack dancing with a leggy blonde.
When my attention went back to my dance partner, I grinned and said, “One-night stands?”
He chuckled. “Sometimes it’s two nights.”
I laughed along with him. “That sounds more like it. I can’t imagine you not having a couple of women to choose from.” A pang of unwarranted jealousy spiked in me, but I pushed it aside. Who was I to feel that way?
“California doesn’t lack for opportunity, that’s for sure.”
The song changed, and we continued dancing. Since I was having such a good time with someone other than Scott, guilt washed over me. It was silly, we weren’t doing anything we shouldn’t, but something inside me told me this was wrong. Not the dancing, but the direction my thoughts were going with every sway of our bodies was wrong. Our legs interwoven, hips close together, yes, my southern region practically begged for some grinding action.
When I stopped moving, Mason’s eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong?”
A rapid thudding in my ears made me take a step back. “I think I should go call Scott and wish him a happy New Year.”
Couples sharing dances, smiles, and embraces caught my eye as Mason walked me off the dance floor. I needed privacy so I headed toward Josh’s office, but not before snagging another glass of champagne. At this rate, I’d be so happy at midnight, none of this kissing tradition would faze me.
I grabbed my phone out of my pocket, took a breath, and clicked Scott’s name in my contacts. It rang three times, and I was ready to leave a voice mail when the call connected.
Giggles. Not a hello, only high-pitched giggles. I looked at the screen to make sure I’d dialed the right number. Sure enough, I did.
“Hello?” I asked as my blood went cold.
“Hi.”
I still had no idea who was on the other end of the line. In a curt tone, I asked, “Who is this?”
“This is Manda. Who’s this?”
Who the hell was Manda? Fear crept into my soul. “Is Scott there?”
After a bit of rustling, I heard her say, “Babe, the phone is for you.”
Babe? Then I heard his voice say, “Why the fuck did you answer my phone?”
I debated whether to hang up, but then I figured I owed it to him and to myself to find out who Manda was, even though I knew it could devastate me and us.
“Hello.” My boyfriend was out of breath, but it was definitely him.
“Hi, Scott. Who’s Manda?” That was it for my greeting. I could barely hear my own words over the thundering heartbeat in my ears.
“Hey, babe.”
How many babes are there? Disregarding his term of endearment and wondering how many babes were in his life, I demanded, “Scott, who is Manda? Where are you?”
“Oh, she’s no one. I’m at a party with some work friends. I left my phone on the table. She took it upon herself to answer it.”
That sounded plausible but didn’t explain the babe comment. Not wanting to get into it over the phone, I gritted my teeth and said, “I called to wish you a happy New Year.”
“Thanks, Gretch. You’re the sweetest. Happy New Year to you too.”
Before I could say another word, I heard more giggles.
“Scott, what’s going on over there?” The sound in the background was muffled as if he’d covered the receiver with his hand. “Scott?”
“Yeah, sorry. It got a bit loud in here. I’ll call you tomorrow. Have a great night.”
The call ended and my head spun. Various scenarios flew through my brain, full of vibrant pictures of Scott with another woman.
Sitting behind Josh’s desk, I took a few deep breaths and drained my champagne glass. There were only fifteen minutes left in this year, and to have it end this way wasn’t the worst part. Starting off the New Year confused and full of unanswered questions was.
Josh burst through the door to his office and practically jumped out of his shoes. “Shit, Gretchen. I didn’t know you were in here. You scared the hell out of me.” He started to chuckle and then his expression changed. “What’s the matter? Did someone do something to you? I’ll kick their ass. Tell me who.” His nostrils flared. “Tell me.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Don’t worry, big brother, I’m fine.”
When I stood and walked over to him, he pulled me into a hug.
“Don’t lie to me. I know something is wrong.” He released me and looked into my eyes. “It was Scott, wasn’t it? What did that asshole do? I know he’s not here, but that’s not what has you upset, is it? The bastard did something. You need to dump that loser.”
Before I could answer, there was a knock on the door.
“Look, Josh, I know you’re trying to help, but really, everything will be fine. You have a room full of people out there who are ready to raise a glass at midnight. I’m so proud of you, so let’s go ring in the New Year.”
When I opened the door, Jennifer stood in the threshold.
“I’m so sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“You’re not. I was going to go grab a glass of champagne.” Because I need another like a hole in the head. I turned to Josh, who still had a concerned look on his face. After giving him my best smile, I said, “Come on, big brother. Let’s go celebrate.”
Sophie was sitting with Mason and Jack, who had a gorgeous woman cozying up to him. As I got closer to the table, I noticed it wasn’t the same woman he was dancing with earlier. For a flash, I was envious of him. No, I was envious of everyone at the table. Without being tied down, they didn’t need to worry about getting hurt or hurting anyone. Meanwhile, my insides felt as if they were twisted in a tight knot.
“There you are.” Sophie jumped out of her seat and pointed to the crystal flute on the table. “We have five minutes, so I grabbed you another glass of bubbly. Happy New Year, Gretch.” She gave me a hug. “But I have a hot specimen waiting for me at the bar.”
Before I could say anything, she winked and scurried off.
Mason stood and escorted me toward the dance floor where couples were gathering. “You were much happier before. Did something happen?”
Telling Mason about my conversation with Scott wasn’t fair to any of us. I didn’t know what had happened or what was going on in Michigan, and I didn’t want to jump to conclusions. Nope, I was a give everyone the benefit of the doubt kind of woman, always levelheaded.
“Can we not talk about that right now?” I glanced at my phone. “We only have a couple of minutes until midnight. How about we share our resolutions?” I smiled. “I’ll go first, if you’d like.”
Mason smile
d back at me. “By all means, the floor is yours.”
With my glass in the air, I said, “My resolution is to grab life by the balls and make the most of each second. Not to hesitate when an opportunity presents itself, and not be afraid of failure. To do everything I’ve wanted to do, but haven’t had the guts to do it.” After a slight pause, I added, “I want to live a life of no regrets.”
Mason nodded and lifted his flute as I had. “My resolution is to not let opportunities slip by, because I may not get the chance again.” Then he gently tapped his glass against mine.
We took a few minutes watching others find the person they were going to kiss at the stroke of twelve.
Ten . . . nine . . . eight . . .
We turned to look at Josh, who was standing next to the band and looking out over the dance floor.
Seven . . . six . . . five . . . four . . .
Mason and I counted along.
Three . . . two . . . one.
Josh yelled over the mic, “Happy New Year!”
Confetti fell, noisemakers blew, and couples kissed while friends hugged. When I glanced back, I saw Jack in a lip-lock with a blonde. Sophie was kissing the man from the bar, and Josh was shaking hands with patrons.
After we took our obligatory sips of champagne, Mason placed both our flutes on the table. He put his hands on my shoulders, and once our eyes connected, he smiled. He leaned down, bringing his lips close to my ear, which was now filled with the sound of my heartbeat rather than “Auld Lang Syne.”
“Happy New Year, Gretchen.” He placed a soft kiss just below my ear.
My skin prickled, my pulse gained speed, and a chill ran down my spine. Everything about the way I felt was wrong yet right at the same time.
Ever so slowly, he caressed my cheek with his. The slight stubble on his face sent chills through me. His warm breath feathered over my skin, taking my breath away.
His big palms framed my face. “I’m not going to kiss you, although every cell of my body is screaming at me to. Even though I can’t follow through with my resolution right now, please follow through with yours.”
At his words, I swallowed hard.
“Can you do that for me, Gretchen?” he asked, then pressed his lips against my forehead.
Charmed: A Prescott Novel (The Prescott Series Book 3) Page 4