Joshua

by Beatrice Sand

  “I wasn’t looking for someone, let alone to become a dad, but the thought of you carrying our child makes me the happiest man alive. It’s you I want, Tess, and I promise you I’ll always love you, Felipe, and our child, with a passion that matches yours.”

  When I see her eyes fill with tears, I open the box and reveal the brilliant cut diamond ring that pairs perfectly with the color of her eyes. God, I hope she loves it. I clear my throat to get rid of the lump preventing me from speaking, and anchor my eyes in hers. “Baby, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”

  She covers her mouth with both her hands. “My God... Josh...”

  I’m still waiting with the opened box in my hand, not sure whether I can take the ring out yet. “I need an answer, baby.”

  “Yes!” she says, nodding firmly, her eyes misty. “Yes, Josh, I’d be honored to be your wife.”

  Relief washes over me, and I take out the ring and slide the golden rose band onto her finger, push it over her knuckle, and all the way down until it settles at the base of her finger.

  “The ring is gorgeous,” she sniffles.

  “The diamond matches the color of your eyes, and I knew the band would look amazing on your skin.”

  “It’s perfect, Josh,” she says blissfully.

  “You’re perfect,” I say before sliding my mouth over her lips. “Can’t wait to see you at the altar,” I murmur.

  “No distressed denim!” she warns me. “I want you in suit and tie.”

  “You can have me anyway you want.”

  We turn and gaze at Felipe, who’s awfully quiet.

  And we wait.

  And wait.

  Finally, he shows us his bright smile as if he’s giving us his permission, and we both sigh with relief, since he’s part of the equation as well. I knew from the start Teresa and Felipe were a package deal, and it just wouldn’t be the same if we didn’t get his blessing.

  “Let’s pick a date,” he simply says, then congratulates us.

  I grab Tess’s head and kiss her firmly on her lips, then place my hand on her belly. “Let’s get married before this little one pops out.”

  She laughs her amazing laugh. “I never figured you for a traditional man.”

  “I’m not, but I want to be a better man for you and our child. Christmas, Thanksgiving, even a white picket fence... I want the whole shebang. Bring it on.”

  “You’re already perfect as you are, baby,” she says softly as she places her hand on top of mine. “But I won’t say no to decorating a Christmas tree with you. I’ll never stop loving you, Josh. That’s my promise to you.”

  “Go take that dip in the sea, Felipe,” I say, never leaving Tess’s eyes. “I’m going to kiss your sister again, and I’m not going to rush it.”

  Felipe saunters off while muttering something inaudibe, something with ice cream.

  And then I take my own sweet time kissing the soft lips of my future wife.

  The whole shebang...

  I can’t help but chuckle.

  Fuck me...

  Thank you for reading Joshua.

  If you enjoyed his story, I would be grateful if you would take the time to leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads. If you wish to find out about Mac’s story, or other future releases, please visit my website: www.beatricesand.com or join my mailing list HERE. I would love to hear from you.

  Thank you so much and I wish you all the best!

  Beatrice

  SNEAK PEEK

  MAC

  Boston, five months earlier...

  “That was one hell of a finely cooked rib-eye, Huds,” I say as I set down my fork and knife. “Tender and flavorful.”

  “Thanks. The 35-day dry-aged rib-eye is our signature dish.”

  I reach for my glass of Bordeaux. “You really did great by reinventing the classic steakhouse. You kept the leather and wooden furniture, and the white starched aprons, but it all has a modern vibe to it. Vintage with a twist. Compliments.” I glance at the wall in the back. “I envy your meat cooler.”

  Hudson picks up his glass too, smiling. “The steakhouse is a dream come true, next to the nightclub.”

  “You offer it all,” I say as I gaze around his shoulder. Two women are sitting a few tables behind us, and one of them looks familiar. “Gastronomic dining and nightlife entertainment. There’s no need to leave after dinner,” I continue, trying to remember where I’ve seen her before. “You can chill in the lounge, and when you’re ready to button your pants back up, you gain instant access to the nightclub for music and cocktails. Clever thinking.”

  “I hit pay dirt when I turned this old and abandoned theatre into a nightclub, giving me the freedom to pursue other dreams.” He raises his glass. “The Opera is a huge success, for three years in a row already, but I couldn’t have done it without you. Without VIC.”

  We touch glasses, then both take a swig. “Proud of you, man. I knew you had it in you.”

  Hudson stays quiet for a while, then asks, out of the blue, “How’s your sister?”

  “Last time I checked, which was yesterday, she was doing great. She invented Vandenberg Visits-day. Not sure how I feel about that, but it makes me proud she’s putting all of her energy in helping others.”

  “Good for her.”

  “Look at us; we all want to increase our profits, gain respect, secure our status with fast cars and bespoke suits and shirts, but Lola doesn’t give a crap about those things. She uses her status to help the less fortunate.”

  Hudson clears his throat. “Her heart’s in the right place.”

  “Yeah, she’s a true philanthropist, but now we have to physically show up and do something for the community. We just went to a petting farm, helped them out with the daily chores, painted sheds, repaired fences...”

  “Ha.”

  “Speaking of my sister... I told her I was meeting you tonight, and she told me she wants you on the next Vandenberg Visits-day.”

  Hudson stares into his wine, his expression turning pensive. “She wants me there?”

  “Uh-huh. Don’t know where or when, but I’ll forward her email once she’s figured it out. She’s already brooding on something. I’m telling you, she wants to see us bleed for all that consuming, and she’s dragging you in too.”

  “I already donate considerable amounts of money to VIC’s charity funds each year.”

  “Yeah, we all do,” I say, gazing around him again. This time our eyes meet, and she flashes me a warm smile, by no means meant to be seductive if I had to guess. More as if she recognizes me too. Did I fuck her? If so, I can’t remember. “I’m afraid that’s not enough for Lola,” I continue, gazing back at Hudson.

  “I’m not a Vandenberg,” he argues, echoing our own sentiment at the time. Poor fellow. No excuse in the world could save him now.

  “Believe me, she doesn’t care. If you’re somehow linked to us, fit, and handy with a drill, you show up. Period. Can she count on you?”

  He swirls his drink, frowning. “You can tell her that if she wants me to join you, she needs to ask me personally.”

  I shake my head questioningly. “Why?”

  He simply shrugs. “The last time I saw her was at the opening of my club. That’s three years ago. She never visited again.”

  “So, what’s the big deal? Lola isn’t much of a partygoer, don’t take it personal.”

  He grins. “Send her here, and if she asks nicely, I’ll be waiting with my toolbelt on with whatever she needs fixing.”

  “I’ll pass it through,” I say, finishing my wine.

  “Is she still planning on marrying Ash?”

  “He just asked her. Why?”

  “No special reason.”

  I squeeze my eyes. “You’re not carrying a torch for her, are you?”

  “No!” he says, flinching. “Just interested in her well-being.”

  Yeah, right, I think, but decide not to give it more thought. Hudson is my best friend since college and I know him as a guy who
’s not to be messed with. He takes what he wants, and usually gets what he wants, including women. It probably has something to do with his Mohican blood that men don’t want to challenge him to a pissing contest, and women flock to him like moths to a flame. If he was interested in Lola, he would have no trouble making his intentions clear to her. Having said that, the first time I took him home during a vacation, I threatened to scalp him if he ever so much as gave my sister a second glance. Not that it impressed him much, and he sure took his fill of Lola, but he never hit on her. It could have something to do with the fact Lola never gave him a second glance. So why the fuck does he want her to beg him for his help?

  I shoot another glance at the sexy brunette, who’s dressed for a night out in a pink lace halter-top and short skirt. She brushes her hair off her shoulder, and with that single movement, it all comes flooding back.

  Graduation time in our downtown hotel.

  “Okay, this is the third time we’re in a conversation and you’re distracted. It’s annoying, not to mention rude,” Hudson remarks.

  Grinning, I focus back on my dining companion, who’s now scowling at me. “Sorry. I heard every word you said, but she’s much prettier to look at if you don’t mind me saying so. Christ, those heels.”

  Hudson throws a glance over his shoulder, then turns back, grinning too. “The blonde one?”

  “The brunette. Not a hundred percent sure if it’s her,” I say, rubbing my chin, “but I think she used to go to school with Lola. Lola organized their graduation party in our hotel garden. Ash and I tended bar, and while Ash was after my sister, I felt up her busty friend in the checkroom. I remember her ass fit just fine in my hands, but for the life of me I can’t remember her name.”

  Hudson cocks his head. “So, if I remember correctly, you threatened to take my head if I so much as glimpsed at your sister, and Asher got a free pass at her because you couldn’t keep your mind out of the gutter?”

  “Yeah, I hope he doesn’t make me regret it, or I’ll send him to the afterlife.”

  “Don’t forget to call me first,” Hudson grumbles, then, “what?” when I look at him with raised brows. “I told you, looking out for her well-being.”

  “Sure.”

  “What do you say if we take our digestif upstairs?”

  “Wouldn’t say no to that.”

  We ditch our napkins and rise to our feet.

  “Ladies,” Hudson begins in passing by. “How’s the food?”

  “It’s amazing,” the blonde one says, beaming.

  I have to refrain from laughing aloud, since they’re both forking up a salad.

  The brunette stares at me, smiling again. “Hello, Mac. Nice seeing you again.”

  “Hi,” I greet back, propping my hands into my slacks’ pockets. Still not remembering her name, unlike her ass. “You too.”

  She smiles. “I’m Rebecca Hansen. We met at your sister’s graduation party.”

  “Right. I remembered that. Sorry I forgot your name.”

  She waves my faux pas away. “Don’t worry about it. What is it... thirteen, fourteen years ago?”

  “I think so, yeah.”

  “Besides, you reach the headlines more often than I do, so it was actually a no-brainer for me to figure out who you were.”

  “Can we invite you girls to a drink after you finish eating?” Hudson asks Rebecca’s friend without properly introducing himself.

  She gives him a flirty smile, fluttering her eyelashes. “Yeah, we’d love to. We had plans to go to the nightclub after dinner. You’re Hudson Reed, right?”

  “I am. Forget the nightclub,” he says while removing a business card and a pen from the inside pocket of his jacket. “There’s a private bar to drink and have a quiet conversation. Go back to the foyer and take the stairs or elevator up.” He writes his initials on the card and the number two, which he circles. “Show this card to security and they’ll let you through.” He places the card on the table. “You won’t regret it. It’s a room with a view. Invites only.”

  “Nice! We’ll see you guys later then.”

  “Enjoy the rest of your meal.”

  “Ladies,” I say, nodding, then follow Hudson into the foyer.

  “And that is how we do it,” he says, smirking as we ascend the grand stairs. “You’re welcome.”

  “It’s like college all over again,” I muse, remembering we picked up women without much effort.

  Hudson looks at me with an amused expression on his face. “It’s good to know we haven’t lost our touch.”

  “Shouldn’t we be focusing on marriage and having offspring before we do lose it? We’re thirty-five for crying out loud.”

  “You feel society pressing?”

  “No, it’s Lola. She’s hoping I’ll get married first, reminding me all the time. I told her not to hold her breath.”

  “When is she getting married?”

  “In ten months. She swears one of these days a woman is going to break my heart and I’ll end up alone.”

  “You fear ending up alone?” Hudson asks with a low chuckle.

  I shake my head. “Not at this stage in life. I like my life as it is, but the concept of marriage and having kids don’t put me off either. I just haven’t met the woman that stood out from the others.”

  “What are you looking for?”

  I shrug as I take the last steps. “It’s not in the color of their hair, eyes, skin, or if she has legs up to her chin. That would be too shallow, although long legs wouldn’t hurt either, but I guess I’m looking for someone...different. I like to think I’ll know the moment I meet her. A spark, a weird feeling in my stomach, I don’t know, maybe those things are myths.”

  “It’s not a myth. It’s the weird feeling in your stomach that lets you know.”

  “How would you know?”

  “Because I’ve met her. The woman you just described; the one that stands out.”

  I whip my head to the side. “Say that again?”

  “I just knew it had to be her, so I told her, but she rejected me. And now she ruined me for other women, so I’m counting on staying a lifelong bachelor.”

  “How come I don’t know?”

  “Because I chose to hide the pain.”

  And he did a bloody fine job. “Who is she?”

  “It’s in the past, Mac,” he says as he rakes his hand through his hair that’s as dark as mine. “I’ve moved on.”

  “Okay, fair,” I reply, meanwhile pondering who the hell she could be. Not one woman springs to mind. “Anyway, I’ll leave the offspring for the next hospitality generation in the capable hands of my sister and Hannah. The girls in my family seem to do a much better job than the boys.”

  A security guard opens the heavy door to the upper circle; a secluded bar with the highest balconies in the club, with a spectacular view over the stage and dancefloor. But it’s pricey to be able to throw a glance down. First, you’re screened, and when you’re approved – which basically comes down to the way you look, if you’re intelligent, successful, and what not – you pay twenty-five thousand dollars a year to be allowed to breathe the same air as the other elite club members. And to have sex in the attached room, if you want to take it to the next level.

  We step onto one of the empty balconies and I remove my jacket, hang it over the sofa, then loosen my tie and unbutton the first button. It’s still early, but the auditorium is already filling up. Within the next hour there will be a crowd and the hypnotic music deafening.

  “So, what’s the deal with Bishop?” Hudson asks a few moments later, swirling his liquor. “He snatched that award from right under your nose, didn’t he? Sneaky bastard.”

  Smiling, I slowly sip my drink. “Vandenberg is going into the boutique business, and going green!”

  “Hey, congrats! It’s what you wanted for a long time.”

  “It took him a while, but Tristan finally recognizes that climate change is a threat to our planet, and that we, as polluters, need to accep
t our responsibility and step up our green game. Bishop has figured it all out, and he needs an investor to expand. We need his knowledge and experience on hotel sustainability.”

  “It’s a win-win.”

  “Exactly, we all benefit–”

  “Hi, guys,” a female voice interrupts our conversation. I glance up and stare at Rebecca and her friend. I guess dessert wasn’t as appealing as the upper circle.

  “Hello, ladies,” Hudson greets as he gets up, shaking both their hands. “Welcome to the upper circle.”

  “It’s beautiful up here,” Rebecca says, glancing down the auditorium.

  “I’m Lisa,” her friend says as I shake her hand.

  “Hi, I’m Mac.”

  “Mac Vandenberg; New England’s favorite bachelor.”

  I cock a brow.

  “An article in Outrageous!” she says, her cheeks reddening.

  “Ah, Outrageous!... I guess it’s true then, since their journalists are known for their in-depth research,” I reply in a sarcastic tone, making Hudson chuckle.

  He motions to the gold velvet sofa. “Please, sit down. What can I get you girls? Champagne, or a cocktail?”

  “I’d love a glass of champagne,” Rebecca says, settling down next to me. Lisa agrees with her.

  A bottle girl, looking seductive in a tiny dress, is already standing by, and Hudson orders a bottle of Dom Perignon.

  “Coming right up, Mr. Reed.”

  I finish my drink in one gulp, put down the glass, and then turn my attention to Rebecca, looking up and down at her crossed legs that show off nice muscle tone.

  “So, what were you doing in a steakhouse when all you eat is a salad?” I ask curiously.

  “Trying to get into the club without queuing up for hours to enter – or to get told to take a hike because they don’t like the way we are dressed, after we froze our nipples off.”

  “Somehow I don’t think the two of you would have a problem of getting inside.” I glance down at her feet. “Great choice of footwear.”

  “Well, thank you, Mac. That’s a nice thing to say, but we heard it’s not that easy to get past The Opera’s praetorians, so we didn’t want to leave it to chance. And see, here we are. We even made it to the upper circle; the holy grail of The Opera.”