She cursed the fact that she couldn’t drink. A stiff whiskey or one of those glasses of champagne would hit the spot about now, or having Genie here to pass comment on all the beautiful people. When she went to take a tiny step back from the group, she felt Lane pull her closer as he continued talking to the guy beside him.
Yasmin looked around at Lane’s friends and a sad and sickening realization worked its way into her thoughts. This was the life that Lane fitted into so effortlessly, the life he’d told her he wanted to grow further as he got older. Country clubs and old friends, corporate people and close connections. But this was exactly the sort of life she didn’t want for herself anymore.
She’d fitted here once, when she’d been Nick’s little sister, when she’d been his stand-in date at company functions and graduations—and she’d made up her mind that this wasn’t the way she wanted to live. She watched Lane talking in that serious way that he did when he felt strongly about something, and she realized that despite the physical closeness, the intimate connection they’d made in the last twenty-four hours, they were still so very, very different. Suddenly, the room began to spin and she had to will herself to stay upright. Now was not the time to lose her cool. She took long breaths through her nose and concentrated on a bowl of punch on a table.
She was vaguely aware of someone moving toward her from the other side of the room, and then a hand slid around her shoulders.
“Hey.” She turned and felt Lane’s hand slip from her back. Nick was standing beside her in a perfectly crisp suit, a smile lighting up his olive complexion. He kissed her cheeks, then methodically moved around the circle, kissing the women and shaking hands with the men.
“Where’s the girl we saw you with on Saturday night?” Rachel asked. “She seemed nice…and absolutely stunning.”
“She was stunning,” Nick said. “But today’s Wednesday.” The group roared with laughter. “Excuse me, you guys,” he said. “I need to talk to my sister.”
…
Nick took Yasmin’s elbow and walked her over to a column, away from the celebrating crowd, and turned his back to the group they were just speaking to.
“I wasn’t expecting you to make it,” Yasmin said, wiping her clammy hands on her dress. “I thought you were pursuing world domination.”
He had a hand in one pocket and was regarding her with such a serious look, she began to get worried. “I am busy, but I needed to see you, so I thought I’d kill two birds with one stone. Cost me an arm and a leg for an engagement present, though.” She’d never seen him look so intense. His forehead was creased in a frown and his mouth was turned down. “Are you okay? You look really pale.”
“I’m fine,” she said. “What is it?”
Suddenly his face changed and he leaned back for effect. “What’s with the hole in your nose and the carnival hair? Has Mom seen it?”
Yasmin aimed a punch at his arm. “Of course she’s seen it. I’ve Skyped with her most days. Don’t tell me she didn’t say anything to you about it. And I saw Dad briefly before he left.”
“And he didn’t demand you get rid of both immediately?”
When she didn’t respond he gave her a supercilious grin. “Mom did mention being worried that you were going off with some punk rock band. The only way I could calm her down was by reminding her Lane was working on the renovation and that he’d keep an eye on you.”
Yasmin looked across to where Lane was hugging another woman who had joined his group. Things had changed between them tonight, but she’d have to wait until after the party to talk to him about that. She turned back to Nick. “So what did you need to see me about?”
His eyes became more serious. “I don’t think Mom’s coming home.”
“What do you mean not coming home? Not ever?” A lump formed in her throat and she had to swallow before she could speak. “She wouldn’t do that. Live thousands of miles away from us. And why hasn’t Dad told me this?” Her heart ached in her chest. She hadn’t considered for a minute that her mother wouldn’t ever return. How could they be a family with her mom living in Greece permanently? What would it mean for her father? For the Palace? For all of them?
“I had Dad on the phone in tears.”
“Tears?” She shook her head at the impossible image of her father crying, but it was too much to think about. “I Skyped with him yesterday and he said everything was fine. Tears? Are you sure?”
“Yas, Mom and Dad would rather lie to you than have you hurt. Dad wants me to arrange the sale of the Palace.”
Yasmin reeled back as if she’d been punched. “But the Palace is their life. Their American Dream. They worked their fingers to the bone building that place up. All those hours, those weekends, those years without a holiday. What was all that sacrifice for? If they sell now while they’re struggling, they might not be rewarded for any of that hard work.”
Her brother shrugged. “It’s just a business, Yas. And not a very profitable one at that.”
“Just a business?” Now she could feel fire start to light in her veins. “The Palace is way more than a business, Nick. It’s our home, it’s our heritage. It’s a symbol of what we are as a family and I, for one, am not about to lose that. God, why did we all move away? Why didn’t we see what we had when everything was good?”
Nick rubbed a hand across his chin. “What do you propose we do?”
“You could buy it from them.” She clutched his arm as the perfect solution became clear. He was wealthy, very wealthy, and he probably knew all sorts of ways to help the business financially.
He pulled at the collar of his shirt. “As if Dad would let that happen. He’d rather end up bankrupt than feel he was taking charity from one of his kids.”
She lowered her voice. “You know I don’t have enough money to do it. And neither does Ari. What about you running it for a while?”
“Yasmin,” he said, touching her arm. “I’m sorry, but I’m far too busy with my own work to take on the Palace.”
“But what if it’s the three of us? What if you, me, and Ari made a pact to do whatever we can to save it? Lane and I have almost finished with the restaurant renovation and we’ll be inviting all the media and having the relaunch. What if after that you and I work together for a few weeks? Try to turn it around ourselves?”
He shrugged and looked back to where a group of his friends was standing. “I don’t know, Yas. I’m really busy and I’ve got no experience in a business like the Palace. Maybe if there were a surefire way to make money on it fast, then I’d think about it. And besides,” he said, arching an eyebrow, “don’t you have a PhD to finish? Or have you given up on your dreams?”
Give up on her dreams? If anything, working through her list had only made her more committed to spreading her wings, to finding what it was that made her happy. As soon as she finished her bouquet list, she was going to make another one.
“Of course not,” she said, waving the idea away with her hand, “but that doesn’t mean I think we should give up on the Palace.”
He rubbed his chin. “If I say yes, if that’s the way we decide to go, then one of us needs to go and convince Mom to come home.”
“I could do that while you work the business for a couple of weeks, and maybe then we could get Ari in on it too.” Her heart swelled. If her brothers helped, they could really make this happen.
Nick snorted. “You know there’s no one on earth who’s more cynical about weddings than Ari. And can you imagine him and me working together?”
Yasmin sighed, a tiny bit of her enthusiasm leaching away. “Not really, but if it meant we could get the Palace into a position where it was at least competitive, I really think that might be the boost both Mom and Dad need.”
“Lane says the relaunch is on Sunday.”
“Yes,” she said, suddenly feeling as though there was something positive coming out of this, that there was something that she could do to make this whole nightmare better. “Everything’s looking good.”
“Looks like you and Lane are getting on pretty well.” Nick had raised an eyebrow and Yasmin could feel her hand go to her throat as she stroked her necklace. “Gotta say I’m surprised, since you’ve never thought much of my friends. I wouldn’t have thought he was your type.”
She looked over to where Lane stood, and in that instant he caught her eyes and smiled and she could feel her face begin to burn.
“If you are involved, I’m not sure I approve.”
Yasmin huffed out a frustrated sigh. She didn’t need to have this conversation with Nick; she was sick of being told what to do and how to do it. “You don’t get to approve or not of my love life, Nick. See, this is why I don’t bring men home. If, and I say if I were seeing someone, it would be between us.”
“He’s my friend, Yas. I can’t imagine you fitting into his lifestyle.” He waved his hand toward the crowd. “You wouldn’t be happy living a life like this, I know you wouldn’t. Have you thought this through?”
“I’d thank you not to make judgments about what’s good for me and what isn’t.” But he was right, wasn’t he? Isn’t that exactly what she’d been thinking only moments before? Suddenly, she felt dizzy.
“Yas—”
“We should go back,” she said, cutting him off.
Nick nodded and they walked toward the group, but before they got there, Yasmin touched Nick’s arm and swallowed back the bile in her throat. “I’m going to hold up my end of the bargain and have a fantastic relaunch, but I want you to be ready to come in with something even bigger when that’s complete.”
“I’ll think about it,” he said.
…
Yasmin was quiet when she and Nick rejoined the group. She fingered the butterfly at her throat and although she was making polite conversation with Rachel about new possibilities for the Palace garden, Lane could tell her attention was elsewhere. She’d be worried about the news of her mother not coming home, and if he didn’t have to have a conversation with Nick himself—about what was going on between him and Yasmin—they might’ve been able to go home early. They still had work to do on the shelving at the waitress stations tonight, and they’d need to check on the delivery of those tables. The press were coming at eleven tomorrow and he wanted to be completely prepared. Although it wouldn’t be an all-nighter like some of their other days, he wanted a chance to speak to her properly.
He watched the way she nibbled her bottom lip. So much of the time that he’d spent with her she’d been happy and confident, almost fizzing about what she was doing and what she had to look forward to. Now she looked lost—small, alone, and pale. He wanted to reach out and quietly wrap his hand around hers, tell her that he’d do whatever he could to help, but he wouldn’t do it until he’d told Nick what was going on. And the sooner he did that, the better.
When he was about to pull Nick away for a quiet word, Rachel asked Yasmin if she’d like to come and look at the tropical plantings on the roof of the club.
“I’m not sure how long I can stay,” she said, throwing a meaningful look at Lane. “We have to work on our restaurant relaunch at night and we have a lot to do before the opening.”
He reached out and touched her arm. “You go. You might get some good ideas from looking at the Bluebird’s plantings. I’m sure your brother and I can talk football garbage for a few minutes.”
“Okay, I’ll be back soon.” She gave him a small smile.
He leaned close and whispered. “Are you okay? We can leave as soon as you come back if you like.”
“I’m not feeling the greatest,” she said, and turned to follow Rachel up the staircase. She looked like an exotic flower as she climbed each step, with her dark green dress and purple hair, and his chest tightened for all that she must be going through. He couldn’t wait to have her in his arms tonight and tell her everything would be okay.
As he turned back to speak, Nick got in first. “Let’s talk.” With a flick of his head, he indicated that it should be in private. “Wanna tell me what’s going on?” he asked as they walked away to a nearby column. He’d turned his back on the others and was regarding Lane with a look he’d never seen before. Defensive and a little unsure.
“Between me and Yasmin?” No point beating around the bush. They’d been friends long enough to know when to cut the crap.
“It’s pretty obvious that you’ve got more than a working relationship going. I haven’t seen you looking at someone in that way since…” He frowned. “Ever. Girls tell me I’m about as intuitive as a three-toed sloth, but I’d put money on the fact that something’s going on between you and my little sister.”
Lane slung one hand in a pocket. It was right that Nick should know the truth. It might take some time and effort to convince him that Lane still had Yasmin’s best interests at heart, but if they were to remain friends, Nick had to hear this from him first. “Yes, something’s going on between us. It’s nice and relaxed, and we’ve both gone into it with our eyes wide open. I really like your sister.”
Nick rocked back on his heels, his face unmoving. “So this isn’t some little fling?”
Lane held his friend’s stare, determined that Nick wouldn’t cheapen what he had with Yasmin. “I’m not sure it’s your business whatever it is.”
Nick lowered his voice further. “She’s not exactly your type, is she? And she’s clearly going through a weird phase with her hair and her piercing.”
Lane took a mouthful of champagne, giving himself a little space so he could make Nick understand what was going on. “No one’s ever listened to what she wants, and it’s made her feel insecure and uncertain about expressing herself. Yasmin’s a lot stronger than anyone gives her credit for. She chose to have a relationship with me. And I chose her back.”
“Or is that just what you want to believe? So you don’t feel bad about what you’re doing?” Nick said, his eyes shadowed.
“You’ve got to admit that you boys and your parents have always been protective of her. Perhaps too much. I understand that you wanted to look out for her, but it’s affected her ability to make her own relationships. I think she feels free to do that with your parents away, and a whole lot of new possibilities opened to her.”
Nick lifted a shoulder, then let it drop. “It’s part of our culture. Chivalry hasn’t died for us Greeks like it has for some people, and we like to protect our women. Which is what I’d expect you to do. I’m trusting you to watch out for her, man.”
Lane shook his head. Before he’d met Yasmin again, he would have been on Nick’s side, believing the same line. Now that he knew the person she was deep inside, he wanted her brother to see her the way she really was. Wanted to try to smooth things out between her and her family if he could.
He planted his free hand low on his hip. “The thing is, Yasmin’s been working in a highly competitive field with academics and professors, men who appreciate her intelligence and her creativity, and she’s come to like that. She’s ready to throw off the suffocating expectation of her as a good Greek daughter and sister.” Lane met his friend’s gaze squarely. “I think it’s time your family gave Yasmin a little credit for making her own decisions, Nick. If she’s decided that she wants to get to know me better, I think you should respect it.”
Nick blinked slowly and moved his jaw from side to side. “I only hope it doesn’t end badly. Who am I going to talk to when my sister’s left in a crying heap because things didn’t work out with you two?”
Lane finished the champagne and put the glass in the potted plant beside him. “You know how much I love your family, right?”
Nick lifted his chin and said nothing. For the first time in their whole friendship Lane wondered if he’d gone too far, if what had happened was too much for their friendship to bear. But he couldn’t not say this. What was going on between him and Yasmin was something he’d never experienced before, and he wanted his best friend to understand that.
“I haven’t gone into this with the expectation that thi
s is some sort of sleazy fling. In fact, when the situation first presented itself I resisted for the exact reasons you mentioned. And the fact that we are in a relationship right now should give you some idea how much I value her.”
Nick snorted. “She was the one who made the first move?”
Lane didn’t blink. “The feelings were very mutual.”
“Promise me here and now you’re not using her,” Nick said, his eyes hard.
Lane felt the full force of Nick’s glare, and returned it. “I’m serious about her, Nick. More serious than I’ve ever been.”
The beginnings of a smile worked at the corners of Nick’s mouth. “You know my parents will be pretty pleased that you’re dating. It won’t really matter what I think when my mother gets wind of it.”
Lane nodded slowly, relieved that he finally seemed to be getting through. “I’d prefer we didn’t say anything to them right now, while they’re going through their issues. But when the time comes, I’ll tell them my intentions are honorable.”
Nick held out his hand and Lane stepped forward and shook it. “You’re not in too deep already, are you?”
Lane frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I’m not only worried about her being hurt.”
A sliver of unease crept into Lane’s gut, but he knew Yasmin wouldn’t walk out on him now that she’d checked him off her list. What they had was way more than that. They had a future. Her list had only been about finding herself again, and now she’d found herself with him and what they shared.
It was ironic that the heart he’d thought closed to these sorts of feelings was so wide open. Everything was different with Yasmin; he couldn’t imagine not being with her now, couldn’t imagine a time when they wouldn’t be laughing and kissing and sharing jokes.
The Bouquet List: a Weddings in Westchester novel (Entangled Bliss) Page 13