by Tamie Dearen
As her plan became clear, a smile fought its way onto his lips. He placed the discreet receiver in his ear. “If this works, I’ll buy one you could trade for Alaska.”
Her gentle chuckle played clearly in his ear, drowning out the other sounds. “You might have to get your three cohorts to help purchase that purse.”
With the earpiece in place, the room sounds were muffled in that ear, and he found he could put that noise in the background.
“Is it okay?” Steph sounded anxious. “You can toggle it until it’s not too loud or too soft. If anyone notices, you can say you’re wearing an earplug in that ear.”
“No, it’s good. I think it’s going to help.”
“Great.” Her breath whooshed out. “I had my fingers crossed.”
A band tightened around his chest. He didn’t deserve someone so good. “I owe you, big time. I think my blood pressure’s already dropped.”
Her hand squeezed his arm. “You’re gonna be fine. It’s like riding a bike. You need to get out and have fun with your friends again. And with Carina. This way, no one will know I’m helping you.”
“What about you? Are you still nervous about gambling?”
“I’m only nervous about fitting in,” she said, from the corner of her mouth.
“Branson! Jarrett’s here.” Carina’s call cut through the ambient noise. “We’re all waiting on you and Stephanie.” Something about her voice was already getting on his nerves. It was going to be a long twenty-four hours. And a long three years after the wedding.
Since she hadn’t muted her microphone, Branson got to hear Stephanie’s exclamation when she opened the door to her suite. Of course, she shouted so loudly, the other four heard it as well. “Jiminy Cricket! This place is amazing! There’s a swimming pool in my living room.”
Carina made a sarcastic remark about her lack of sophistication, but it didn’t dampen Steph’s enthusiasm.
Branson’s room was sandwiched between Stephanie and Finn. Carina had made a point of demanding her own room, which was fine with Bran. In fact, he had no plans to share a bedroom or bathroom with Carina, even after marriage. Certain things had to remain private, and those things would be impossible to hide in close quarters. In particular, he hadn’t let anyone see him without his prosthetic eyes since his teen years. Carina would undoubtedly run screaming at the sight, and the marriage plans would disintegrate, along with his opportunity to control Parker-Aston Pharmaceuticals.
Inside his room, Bran made a methodical examination, to learn the location of the furniture and fixtures in the living area and bedroom. He normally had excellent spatial recall, though he was somewhat out of practice. In his early-to-mid twenties, when he traveled frequently, he could navigate a room flawlessly after a sixty-second inspection. Now, he had to circle the room twice and backtrack, as well, before he felt comfortable.
Lunch time had been moved up, thanks to his suggestion that they attend a matinee. What was I thinking? But he knew the answer. He didn’t want Steph to visit Finn in New York. No matter how much devotion Stephanie displayed, Bran knew she could be enticed away from him, especially by someone like Finn. Not that Finn would ever do such a thing on purpose. But Finn had everything Bran had—money—and all the things he didn’t—good looks, confidence, charm, and quick wit, in addition to sight. What’s more, Branson could never stand in the way of their happiness if they were to fall in love. That’s why he had to prevent it from happening.
Unpacking his suitcase, he ran his fingers across the small Braille labels Stephanie had used to organize his pants and shirts so he could dress without her aid. He’d have preferred having her come in and lay out his clothes, as she did at home, but she insisted Carina wouldn’t be pleased to discover them in his room together.
He’d changed clothes and splashed some water on his face, when Finn rapped on his door. “Hurry up, Bran. We’ve got a lunch reservation in ten minutes.”
He took a deep breath and opened the door. “I don’t hear anyone else out here.”
“Cole and Jarrett went down to arrange a limo. We don’t have time to walk to the restaurant.”
“What about Steph?”
He heard the sound of a door opening as Steph’s voice sounded in his ear. “I’m ready. Do I look okay?”
Finn whistled. “You look amazing, with a capital A.”
Bran fumed, wishing he could compliment her, as well.
“Bran bought this dress for me,” said Steph. “In fact, he bought every outfit I packed in my suitcase.”
“It’s not the dress that looks amazing. It’s what’s in it.” Finn’s voice grew louder in Bran’s receiver, as if his mouth was close to Steph’s microphone. Is he planning to kiss her? Right here in front of me?
A door rattled across the hallway. “I hate being rushed,” Carina announced. “I barely had time to change clothes, much less fix my makeup. I look atrocious.”
“I think you look amazing,” Bran said, adding a wink to show he was teasing. “With a capital A.”
Carina gave a haughty laugh. “Bran, your opinion isn’t worth anything. What do you think, Finn?”
Bran felt like he’d been slapped in the face. He and Carina often jested in this manner, despite his lack of vision. He usually complimented her on the scent she was wearing or the softness of her skin, while throwing in a quip about how he’d never seen a more gorgeous woman. She’d never been so insulting in the past.
With a knot in his stomach, he realized their relationship was going to require a lot of work to make it last for three years. Though they agreed to marry for business reasons, they had to at least get along, or she would leave him anyway. Up until now, she’d always acted as if she were attracted to him, despite his appearance. But perhaps her attitude had been merely that… an act. He couldn’t fault her for it, since he was guilty of the same.
Finn responded with what Bran recognized as a sidestepping accolade. “You’ve seen yourself in the mirror, Carina. You don’t need me to tell you how beautiful you are.
Carina cooed a thank you, apparently unaware of the slight.
“Let’s go. They’re waiting for us.” Finn moved down the hallway in the direction Branson remembered the elevator being. Bran counted his steps so he could easily find his room on his own if he returned by himself. On the ride down, Stephanie chatted about how nice her room was and the incredible view from her balcony, thanking Bran profusely.
“I’m glad you like it.” Bran basked in her appreciation.
“Of course, Finn paid for Stephanie’s room,” Carina sniped. “No reason you should be taking credit, Branson.”
It happened to be a true statement, though Branson intended to rectify the situation.
“I’m sorry, Finn.” Anxiety flooded Steph’s tone as she apologized. “I assumed Branson had paid, you know, since we worked the whole time we were on the plane. I should’ve realized—”
“No worries, Steph. Branson and I would never quibble over a few thousand dollars.” Finn followed up his declaration with a noisy kissing smack, so loud he undoubtedly wanted Bran to hear it. “We reserve our battles for more important matters.”
The gesture apparently rendered Stephanie speechless for the rest of the ride down, but Bran was so irritated he didn’t need her voice to allay his nerves. As the elevator doors opened to the boisterous lobby, Bran could only think he needed a moment to pull Finn aside and finish their earlier conversation.
Though people customarily gave him a wide berth when he was using his white cane, he didn’t attempt to navigate the bustling crowd alone. He hated hanging onto someone’s arm, but noise from every direction bombarded his ears, making it difficult to walk alongside a person and maintain a steady distance, utilizing only the sound of their voice.
Fortunately, Stephanie came to the rescue, murmuring directions through the receiver in his ear. “Wanna walk with me?” She tugged on his elbow, but released his arm as they started to move. “You’re doing great, Bran. S
traight ahead. We’re probably twenty feet from the lobby exit. There. Did you hear the doors open ahead of us? Traffic outside?”
“Got it. Thanks.” He walked with more confidence.
“Are you gonna wear sunglasses the whole time we’re here? Even inside the show and the casino?” she asked.
“That’s the plan. Strangers are more comfortable when I wear them.” He stepped outside, his eardrums battered by the din of car motors and horns, while the acrid exhaust fumes assaulted his nose.
“You shouldn’t wear them.”
“What?” he asked.
Resentment bubbled out in her words. “The sunglasses. You shouldn’t wear them. I like seeing your eyes.”
Her remark left him slack-jawed. “Why would you say that about these fake eyes?”
“Because it doesn’t matter what other people think. Cole’s wearing a bright green mechanical hand today. It looks like something from a science fiction movie. A few people stare, but most don’t even notice. Jarrett can’t hide his limp, but he doesn’t seem to care.”
“I’m not hiding my blindness,” he argued. “I’m wearing dark glasses and carrying a white cane. I’m sure plenty of people are staring.”
“I think you’re hiding behind your blindness. You use that cane and those glasses like a wall, to keep yourself from having to interact with sighted people. I’m pretty sure, if you didn’t have those dark glasses on, no one would even realize you’re blind.”
“But I am blind. That’s why I’m more comfortable at home, around things I’m familiar with.”
Their argument was interrupted when Jarrett tapped his elbow. “Hey, that’s our limo across the circle. There were too many cars for it to get any closer.”
“We’re coming,” Steph answered and grabbed Bran’s arm, walking him ahead. “I guess I should’ve let Carina do this. She’s waiting at the car, giving me the stink-eye.”
“I don’t think Carina cares about me one iota. She seems to want Finn’s attention, not mine.” He thought the same of Stephanie, though he didn’t say it.
“No. Carina’s in a huff because you ignored her on the plane. You need to be nice and give her some attention. I think she’s insecure, though I can’t imagine why. She’s got a perfect body. Perfect hair. Perfect teeth. Perfect everything.”
“I’m sure she’s no more beautiful than you.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment, though my body is far from perfect.” Of course Branson has no idea what I look like. “But you need to be saying those sweet things to your fiancée instead of me. I know you can’t pick up body language cues. Let me tell you, hers are screaming she feels neglected.”
“I didn’t realize she was going to be high maintenance,” he mumbled.
“Don’t give me that,” Stephanie snapped, her voice loud enough to make him flinch. “Requiring an occasional kind word and caring touch hardly qualifies as high maintenance.”
Hadn’t he done that for Carina? Had he been so caught up with anxiety he’d been thoughtless and rude to his fiancée? He wasn’t in love with her, but he hadn’t meant to treat her badly.
“The door’s open,” said Cole as they arrived. “Crawl in the back.”
Bran felt for the overhead opening and ducked inside. “Where’s Carina?”
“I’m back here, with Jarrett and Finn,” she replied.
“Well someone better move over and make room for me,” Bran edged his way toward her voice. “I’m sitting by my fiancée.”
Carina giggled. “Sorry, guys. One of you has to give up your seat.”
“Well done.” Stephanie murmured encouragement in his ear.
He settled beside Carina and reached over to hold her hand, receiving an affectionate squeeze in return. “You smell nice today. What perfume are you wearing?”
“Monet.” She practically purred. “It’s your favorite. Remember? From L’eau du Paris?”
So Stephanie had been correct. Her twenty-second counseling might’ve saved his relationship with Carina. It also confirmed what he’d told Finn. Stephanie had no romantic feelings toward him. She was simply a loyal employee, doing her job.
Chapter 8
Stephanie thought Branson seemed more relaxed as lunch progressed. He’d certainly taken her advice to heart, dousing Carina with affection and hanging on every word she said. Perhaps Steph’s counsel had been too effective. The green monster of jealousy was clawing at her insides.
She slipped her hand in the outside pocket of her purse to turn off the transmitter. No need for it in the quiet booth in the rear of the restaurant. Besides, Bran didn’t appear anxious at all. Fumbling for the transmitter controls, she fought against a sudden bout of stress. Without a sense of purpose, and isolated at the end of the booth, she felt awkward and out of her element. Why did I come? I don’t belong with these people.
“Whatcha got there?” Finn’s voice made her jump out of her seat.
“Nothing.” Her hands trembled as she tucked her purse to her side.
Finn’s eyes narrowed and his hand gripped her arm. He bent close and murmured in her ear. “I’m disappointed, Stephanie. I like you, but I can’t let you get away with spying on one of my closest friends.”
“I’m not a spy,” she whispered, frantic to make him understand. “I would never do that to Branson.”
“Then why do you have a recording device in your purse? You can’t lie to me. I saw you turn it on when you came out of the hotel room.”
“Keep your voice down,” Steph begged in a desperate whisper. “Follow me to the restrooms, and I’ll explain. She scooted out of the booth with a remark about freshening up, but the others didn’t even pause their conversation.
Finn caught up with her as she rounded the corner. “Okay, I’m listening. You’ve got sixty seconds to explain.”
“It’s not a recorder. It’s a transmitter.” Steph spread open her purse pocket to expose the device. “Bran has a receiver in his ear. The microphone is right here.” She used her finger to point at the mic, hidden discretely in the folds of her scarf. “But no one knows. Please don’t say anything.”
Finn’s eyes widened, and he rested his shoulder against the wall. “A microphone? You don’t say. What for?”
“So he can hear my voice over the crowd. To keep him calm when the noise makes him crazy.”
“Hmm.” Finn tilted his head. “Branson’s idea?”
“No. Mine. Someone had to look out for him.” She glared at Finn as adrenaline shot through her system, turning her anxiety into fury. She tapped her finger against his chest. “You.”
“What?” He staggered back a step and lifted his palms toward her.
“You’re supposed to be his best friend, but you pushed him to make this trip. It’s way beyond his comfort zone, and you know it. You should’ve started with a ski vacation or rock climbing—something outside and physical. Instead, you bring him to a place where a thousand people are talking at once and a million bells are ringing from every direction. Don’t you know how awful that is for a blind person?”
Finn had the good grace to grimace with shame. “We didn’t force him to come. He could’ve said no.”
“Not if he wanted to keep his pride with the only people he cares about in the world. You gave him no choice but to come. I’m only trying to keep him from having a panic attack. If that happens, he’ll probably go back and hole up inside his mansion and brick the doors closed.”
“I think I understand.” Finn’s mouth widened in a slow grin, as if her whole lecture was a comedy routine.
“I don’t think you do,” she retorted, hands on hips. “If you understood, you’d be shaking in your boots and watching your back. Because if this trip goes badly and you screw him up for the rest of his life, you’re gonna answer to me.”
Stephanie avoided Finn as much as possible for the rest of lunch, claiming to feel a draft and persuading Cole to trade places with her. She didn’t join in the conversation on the way to the matinee show, k
eeping to herself in the front corner of the stretch limo. While Carina prattled on about the upcoming concert with Bran’s rapt attention, the other three put their heads together and conspired, with frequent glances toward Steph. At the concert, Jarrett spoiled her plan to sit by herself on the end of the row.
“Hello, Stephanie.” He slipped into her spot so quickly she almost sat in his lap. He patted the seat beside him. “We haven’t had much time to get to know each other.”
“That’s not gonna work, Jarrett.”
“Why not? Is it because I have a limp?” His deep brown eyes twinkled with humor.
“I don’t know what Finn said about me, but I’m basically done with all three of you.”
“Won’t Carina be suspicious? You’re supposed to be Finn’s date.”
“She didn’t think I was good enough for Finn, anyway. As long as I stay away from her man, she won’t care.” Stephanie made a grand show of opening her playbill and studying the inside, though the words didn’t register in her brain.
“If it makes any difference, I wanted to take Bran skiing, instead.”
She glanced from the corner of her eye, without turning her head. “Why didn’t you?”
His shoulders shrugged. “I got outvoted. Slopes are always crowded in March. Spring Break, you know? Then Finn got wind of this charity event, and the rest is history.”
“I think it’s a bad idea,” she insisted, pushing her jaw so far forward it ached.
“I promise it won’t be that bad inside the casino. Finn told me about your cool microphone setup to help Bran with the jitters. But there’s something you don’t know about Bran.”
“What?” Steph eyed him with suspicion. After spending almost every day with Branson Knight for the past two years, she’d wager it was actually the other way around.
“When Bran comes to Vegas, he always has a few drinks.”
“N-o. Wa-y.” She pronounced each of the words with two syllables. “Bran doesn’t drink alcohol.”
“I guess you didn’t notice he had a piece of pie at lunch.”