by Alice Ward
“I’m really proud that you’re with me tonight, Eliana.”
She smiled, and her eyes sparkled in the lights. The pull between us grew, like gravity had changed direction and was pushing us together. I bent to take her lips, needing to see if she tasted as sweet as she looked.
“Eliana, darling. You’re here.”
Barbie’s voice was like nails on a chalkboard and Eliana jumped back, turning in her mother’s direction. I leaned down and whispered, “Remember, we’re a couple. I’ve got your back.”
I felt her exhale as she leaned back into me. Circling my arms around her, I gave her my protection and an excuse to not be pulled into an awkward embrace. I shouldn’t have bothered. Barbie air kissed her from nearly a foot away.
“Kane, so good to see you too,” Barbie said, her voice several decibels too loud. “I’ve heard the Beasts are doing well. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
The silence stretched as Barbie seemed to search for something to say. Her eyes lit up as she thought of it. “Darling, you look lovely. I’m not sure I would have selected that particular shade of blue, but—”
I growled. “Her dress is perfect. Fresh and young, and different. It stands out from the typical boring black the elders wear.”
Barbie’s hands twitched on the black skirt of her too-tight gown. She forced a smile. “So true. Are your parents here yet?”
“They were running late. I’m sure they will be here shortly.”
“Well, be sure to find me and make an introduction. I’m sure they’ll be relieved to know that their son is dating a good person and not some…” her eyes hardened, “porn star or something.”
Eliana stiffened. “Mother!”
“Excuse me, I see the Bradshaws, and I must…” She was gone before she’d said what she must do.
“I’m sorry, Kane,” Eliana said, turning in my arms.
I kissed the tip of her nose but was cursing under my breath. Barbie had clearly been doing her research. “Never apologize for that woman. Understand?”
She brushed something from my lapel. “I think I’ve been doing that for a long time.”
I scanned the room and noticed a couple over by the bar. Mom and Dad. Another scan located my grandmother. Dad looked rather dapper in his tuxedo, Mom very elegant in a shimmering silver gown that accentuated her dark coloring.
“I’ve got someone I want you to meet.”
I couldn’t have felt more proud than I did with Eliana at my side as we crossed the ballroom. Dad saw us approaching and started to wave, but I held a finger to my lips. He smiled broadly and let us approach.
“Hey, gorgeous,” I said into my mother’s ear.
She whipped around and launched herself at me. “Oh my goodness, I wasn’t expecting you tonight. What a wonderful, wonderful surprise.”
A hand came down on my shoulder, and I got a side hug from Dad. “Looking good, son. Great hit the other night.” He peered over his glasses at Eliana. “Who’s this?”
I turned, and Mom turned with me, still holding on tight. Meeting Eliana’s eyes, I took her hand and pulled her into the circle of my parents. She hesitated, and I pulled harder, tucking her into my side. “Mom, Dad, this is Eliana Anderson. Eliana, my parents, Milton and Marsha Steele.”
Just as I expected, Mom wrapped Eliana in her arms, giving her the warmest of welcomes. “It’s so very good to meet you, dear. It’s not often I get the opportunity to meet one of Kane’s…” she looked up at me for assistance.
“Girlfriend. Eliana is my girlfriend.”
Mom looked stunned for a second, then blinked and returned to her normal warm self. “Look, Milton, Kane has a girlfriend.”
Dad chortled. “I can see that. Very good to meet you, Eliana. Will you be coming for brunch tomorrow as well? I’d love to get to know you outside of this boisterous place.”
She looked up at me, a question in her eyes. I nodded, and she grinned. “Yes, Mr. Steele. I’d be happy to join you.”
“Call me Milton. I insist.”
“And I’m Marsha,” Mom piped in, finally letting her go and stepping back. “Such a lovely dress. Almost as lovely as you.”
Eliana blushed as expected, then something else happened. Her nose turned pink, and her eyes grew shiny. Was she about to cry?
“Are you alright, dear?” Mom asked, lifting her hand to Eliana’s forehead.
A flood of love hit me as I realized how lucky I was. I had a wonderful dad, a terrific mother. A Nana who might be a little pushy but only wanted the best for me. I knew in my heart that if I didn’t want to give up baseball in five years, they would understand and love me anyway. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
Eliana had none of that, and to be embraced by such a loving family had to be overwhelming.
“Kane Bartholomew, you sly devil. Turn around here and give your nana a hug.”
Leaving my girl to the care of my mom, I was soon embraced by Chanel No. 5. The scent was comforting and familiar, like the tiny woman grinning up at me.
“Hi, Nana. Surprised?”
“Delighted.” She peered past me. “And who is this?” She lowered her voice, but just a tad. “It isn’t the har—?”
“Nana,” I interjected quickly and pulled her off to the side. “No, she’s not the you know who.”
“Then who is she?”
“Eliana is my girlfriend.”
“If you have a girlfriend, why are you boinking ladies of the night?”
Oh. Dear. God.
“Nana, that picture was a mistake,” I said, feeling terrible for getting ready to lie. “She was a fan who happened to jump on my lap when that picture was taken.”
Nana’s face was blank. “Do you consider me a fool, Kane Bartholomew?”
My shoulders sagged. “Nana, can we just forget that other part? I really like this girl. I mean really really like her. As in, if I was searching for the one, she would probably be it. But we’ve only known each other a short while, and it’s way too soon to be putting labels on anything.”
“Well, she won’t stick around for you to get to know her better if you keep having porn stars ‘jump on your lap.’” She air quoted the last part. Watching her bejeweled, wrinkled fingers do something so modern made me smile
“I know. Like I said, we just met, and—”
“Alright, I’ll stay out of it, for now.”
I shot her a look. “Really?”
She smiled. “Of course not. And that leads me to something I was going to do tomorrow. Take me outside to the balcony. I have something I want to give you.”
“Now?”
Nana gave me another blank look and said nothing.
Blowing out a breath, I stepped over to where my girl and parents were. She was smiling and seemed really happy as they chatted. “I’m going to take Nana outside for some air. You okay here?”
“Very.”
I gave her a wink, and she winked back. God, she was beautiful.
Nana cleared her throat. “Coming, dear?”
I tore my eyes away from Eliana and offered my grandmother my elbow. She chuckled and took it, and we walked at a snail’s pace to the doors.
Outside, I shrugged off my jacket and placed it over her shoulders as the evenings were beginning to grow cooler. “Thank you, dear. Now, the reason I wanted to speak with you privately is because I have something heavy sitting on my heart and it’s best said sooner rather than later.”
My gut twisted. What is this all about?
“As you know, I’ll be eighty-four soon, and I’ve just about used up my usefulness on this earth.”
“Nana, you’re—”
“Don’t interrupt me, Kane Bartholomew.”
It didn’t matter how rich or powerful a person grew to be, a grandparent knew exactly how to take them down a notch or two. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m sick, Kane, and the doctor has given me only a few months to live. I’ll probably be gone before Christmas.”
> My world teetered, and I reached for the railing to steady myself. Nana. The strong matriarch of my powerful family was dying. This couldn’t be real.
“Are you sure? Is there nothing that can be done?”
She patted my hand. “No, dear. They’ve checked and double-checked, but the tumor is in the wrong place for surgery or any other intervention. I wouldn’t tell you such a thing if it wasn’t confirmed. But I’m not here to be maudlin. I’m here because there’s something I want to give you while I’m still able to think straight.” She opened her clutch and pulled out a small box. “This is the ring your grandfather gave me many years ago.”
She placed the box in my hand. I didn’t have to open it to know a spectacular bezel-set Asscher cut diamond surrounded by a halo of baguettes would twinkle up at me in their nearly five-carat glory.
“One day, when you find the right one, you can give this to her if you wish.”
“Nana, are you sure?”
“I’m very sure. I wouldn’t have brought it all this way if I wasn’t. And Kane… I know I have given you much grief over joining the family business, and I do wholeheartedly wish for that to happen someday. But…” she patted my hand, “you do what you want to do. Follow your heart, my sweet boy. The rest will fall into place.” She cleared her throat. “Except sex workers. Please don’t follow your heart there.”
I laughed, just enough to feel the shock of her announcement loosen its grip on me.
“I love you, Nana.”
“I know, sweet boy. I love you too. Now, let’s go find your girl. Take her around the dance floor and let me judge if all those dance classes your mother forced you into were worth it.”
CHAPTER SIX
Eliana
I was dazzled.
Not only by the beautiful surroundings but by the beautiful people surrounding me. After Kane went to take his grandmother for some air, his parents firmly tucked me under their wing, telling me tales about their son as a boy and introducing me to everyone who came our way.
Kane looked most like his father, although he had his mother’s green eyes, albeit hers had soft laugh lines around them. I guessed her to be in her mid-to-late forties. Her dark hair had threads of gold that a talented hair stylist had clearly woven in for her. She was lovely and elegant. And warm. So very warm.
It was wonderful, and I felt the glow of their acceptance. I felt included. I felt like I was listened to and that what I said mattered. Other couples joined us. Some I recognized from the society pages or in the business section of the New York Times. The funny thing was, I didn’t feel intimidated. Not even when I shared my plans of attending veterinarian school next year. Most everyone loved animals and told me how wonderful my career choice was.
Emotion wanted to clog my throat on several occasions, but I forced it back down, not letting sadness or longing for my own mother’s acceptance to tarnish what I was experiencing here.
Until she approached and tarnished it herself.
“Eliana, darling, there you are,” she sang, sweeping in like a witch in her shimmering black silk.
I had tolerated her treatment of me because she was the only family I had left, and I loved her in my own way. But more than that, I felt sorry for her. Her desperate need for attention hinted at a mental instability that I could never fully comprehend.
Marsha’s arm tightened around my waist as if she subconsciously knew she needed to protect me from this woman’s approach. Leaning forward, I air-kissed my mother, one side then the other. “Alize Montgomery, please allow me to introduce you to Milton and Marsha Steele. Milton and Marsha, my mother, Alize Montgomery.”
Alize ignored me and went straight to Milton, simpering and offering a limp hand, clearly wanting it to be kissed. He shook it briefly, then stepped away and gestured to his wife. Nicely done, I thought.
“We’ve so enjoyed getting to know your daughter,” Marsha said. “She’s so very lovely and such a pleasure to be around.”
Alize’s smile lit up the room. “Yes, she is such a dear child. It was a tremendous challenge raising her after her father passed so suddenly.”
Three.
Two.
One.
Alize sniffed and dabbed at her eyes. “I was still a child myself when I had her…”
I forced myself to relax my jaw as my mother took over the conversation, sharing her “struggles” and basking in the sympathy she would surely receive.
“Relax.” I jumped as Kane’s hands settled onto my shoulders. His breath was warm against my ear. “Have I told you how sexy your ass looks in that dress recently?”
Smiling, I turned and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Not recently, no.” He gave an answering caress to my exposed back, his thumb traveling up my spine. Goosebumps erupted on every inch of my body.
“I knew your skin would be this soft,” he whispered. “When I was in bed this week, I imagined touching you like this.”
Desire stirred deep inside me, making me brazen. “Did you touch yourself while you thought of me?”
His pupils flared. “Yes. Did you touch yourself while you thought of me?”
I blushed. “Yes. Every night.”
He leaned in to kiss me again but was interrupted. “Kane?”
Both of our heads whipped in the direction of my mother. “Yes, ma’am?”
Her jaw tightened as she lifted her chin at the slight. “I was just telling your parents that it was such a pleasure meeting you last week. I’m glad to hear that your team is doing better.”
“Thank you, they are, with this lovely lady’s help we’re on a winning streak,” Kane said, squeezing my side. Like I made him proud. An unexpected feeling overtook me. A feeling of belonging. Even in the presence of my mother, I felt it enveloping me like a warm cloak.
“How? Is Eliana a groupie now? Do you even know the difference between a home run and a touchdown, darling?” She laughed that high twittering sound that set my teeth on edge.
Marsha’s face turned pale, and her mouth dropped a little. Milton’s arm went around his wife, and they both stepped my way.
Kane kissed my temple. “Eliana is my good luck charm. She’s personally responsible for our winning streak.”
Before Alize could respond, Milton stepped in. “Why doesn’t this beautiful woman have a drink?”
Alize beamed. “Well, I am parch—”
Milton didn’t take his eyes off me. “Perhaps you should get Eliana some champagne,” he suggested to Kane, and the muscles in Alize’s jaw tightened until I thought they would pop.
“Champagne, it is.” Before I knew what was happening, I was whirled around, and we were heading to the bar. “Looks like my parents despise your mom as much as I do,” he muttered as he handed me a tall flute. “I’m sorry. She’s your mother, I shouldn’t say things like that.”
It was crisp, cold, and delicious. “I don’t understand why she acts this way.”
“Narcissistic bitch can’t help it,” he growled and downed a glass in one long swallow. He cursed. “Sorry again.”
I kissed his cheek. “It’s okay.”
“You two look good together.” We turned to find that his grandmother had stepped up beside us. Her thin arm curled around my waist. “I’m so happy that my grandson has finally found someone to look at the way he looks at you.” She smiled. “I might be old, but my eyesight is working just fine.”
“Nana,” Kane warned.
“Don’t you Nana me, young man. Come dance with me instead.”
Kane smiled and leaned down to give me a kiss. “Will you be okay?”
“Of course. Go have fun.”
Off they went, and I finished my glass before picking up a fresh one and strolling closer to the dance floor to watch him waltz with the older woman. I smiled. They looked precious, and I wished I had a camera to capture the moment. Beside me, a flash went off. I’d have to ask later where I could purchase him a copy.
As I watched him, I noticed others, mainly of the female
variety, watching him too. I wasn’t stupid. Naive maybe, but not entirely ignorant of how the world worked for a man like Kane Steele. He could have his pick of any woman in this room, and I wondered how many of them had already screamed his name as he pushed them toward their pleasure.
Why me?
Before I could examine the question or the insecurities that lay behind it, I decided that now would be a good time to seek out the ladies’ room. Giving my empty glass to a passing waiter, I found the corridor and pushed into the overly decorated space. It was a bathroom, for goodness sake. Was gold and silk really necessary?
After managing to pee without dropping the skirt of my dress in the toilet, I stepped to the sink to wash my hands, smiling at the attendant who handed me a cloth towel.
I opened my small clutch to add a new layer of gloss and make sure my hair was still in place. I had to admit that Carlos did a magnificent job with my mop. Normally thick and straight, it now flowed over my shoulders in soft waves while the front was swept back into some elaborate looking knot on the top of my head. I was also wearing more makeup that I was used to. But I kind of liked it, not that I’d ever admit that to my mother. He hadn’t gone cat-eye glam, but had done something that made my eyes even bigger and bluer.
I’ll always cherish the memory of the way Kane looked at me when I opened my apartment door, and I knew I had Carlos, in large part, to thank for that.
“Whoa.” It wasn’t really a word. Mostly just a sound, but it had made me feel beautiful. Not cute. Not pretty. Beautiful.
“Can I get you anything else, miss?” the attendant asked, wrinkles playing all around her eyes and mouth as she gave me a kind smile.
It was impossible not to smile back. “Thank you, no.” Pulling a twenty-dollar bill from my clutch, I stuffed it among all the one dollar bills in her tip jar, wishing I had more to give her while cursing the stinginess of the very wealthy.
Stepping back into the hallway, I was splashed by a tidal wave of déjà vu. There, waiting for me was Winston Hampton the Third.
“It’s good to see you again, Eliana,” he said and took a step closer. “You look incredible.”
My gut clenched at the memory of the last time I’d seen him. His promises to make me feel good as he tried to force my skirt up. The ache in my shoulders as he held my wrists over my head.