“Is it as you hoped it would be?” the woman herself asks, appearing around a corner looking like a total knock-out in a floor-length red dress.
“And then some. It’s incredible.”
“I’m glad you approve.”
“I can’t thank you enough for all this.”
“You’re more than welcome.”
I look behind her, waiting for Colton to emerge and knock me on my ass. “Colton not with you?”
“He’s coming later, he had an errand to run last-minute. Come on, we need to make sure the kitchen’s on schedule.”
With everything running like clockwork, Rylee, Teddy and I make our way to the entrance to greet our guests as they arrive.
Their limos and expensive cars file around the entrance before the couple of paparazzi snap photos of them.
Rylee is cool as a cucumber as she greets Colton’s parents, actors and actresses I managed to snag with the help of Andy Westin’s name, along with an array of other famous and semi-famous guests. I feel like a hot mess who needs to go and compose herself by the time the stream of people lessens and we’re able to move from the entrance.
“That guest list. You did good, girl.”
“Your boyfriend sure helped. Did you notice how many are women?”
Rylee shakes her head, a knowing smile on her face. “I’ll allow them to look, for the cause, you know. But there’s only one bed he’ll be in tonight.” She winks and I laugh, that is until my own reality chooses that moment to slam into me. I’ll be going home and climbing into an empty and cold bed.
Rylee must see my mood change because she reaches out to touch my arm. “Still no word?” Bailey couldn’t keep her mouth shut yesterday as she explained that Corey was once again MIA. I was just grateful she managed to keep the reason for it under wraps. For now, at least.
“Nothing.”
“Everything’s going to be okay. I’ve got a good feeling.”
“I’m glad one of us does. Come on, we’ve got rich people to schmooze out of their hard-earned money.”
“For my boys, anything.”
Rylee links her arm through mine and we make our way to the grand room where everyone is loitering with glasses of champagne and scotch to start their evening.
I do a lap of the guests and get pulled into a couple of conversations about how incredible this event is, helping stroke my confidence a little before Rylee catches up with me once more.
“You ready?”
I glance at the little stage that’s set up off to one side of the room and my stomach drops.
I’ve never been any good at public speaking, and I’m not sure right now will be any different. But this is my baby, and I refuse to send her up there to start proceedings because I’m too chicken-shit.
“Yes,” I say, blowing out a calming breath. “I’ve got this.”
Opening my purse, I pull out the notes I wrote weeks ago, knowing that I was going to have to do this. I’ve memorized the words, but having the piece of paper in my hand helps to calm me slightly.
As I climb up on stage, I think of my aunt. She should have been here tonight, and I know that she would have been cheering me on right now, probably already on her third glass of champagne and working the room, trying to talk to every person here.
A pang of pain shoots through me, but when I look up from the makeshift stage, my eyes lock with Bailey’s, her parents standing to the side of her with smiles on their faces.
“You got this,” she mouths in support, and I nod back at her.
Stepping up to the microphone, I tap the top and a fuzzy noise erupts from the speakers around the room.
“G-Good evening. Firstly, I’d like to thank you for agreeing to spend your evening with us as we raise vital funds for our project…” The more I say, the more I relax, and I soon find my grip on the paper in my hand lessening as I get into my flow talking about Corporate Cares and all the work we’re doing to support children who need us.
I’ve just about finished explaining how this evening’s silent auction will work when the door at the opposite side of the room opens.
I don’t think anything of it, assuming it’ll be a member of the hotel staff tasked with helping us tonight, but when Colton steps into the room looking like sin in his tux, my words falter.
But things are only made worse when he’s followed in by none other than Corey, who’s also dressed perfectly for the evening.
Holy shit.
I’m pretty sure I don’t say that out loud, but I can’t be sure.
His eyes hold mine as I finish what I was saying. I have no idea if it comes out making any sense, I’m too lost in the intensity in his eyes to focus on the words. I just have to hope that I’ve rehearsed it enough times that muscle memory takes over.
I thank everyone and I step down from the stage as a round of applause sounds out. I’m not entirely sure my speech deserves it, but I appreciate the gesture as I make my way toward the back of the room.
People must see the determination on my face, because a couple move out of my way so that I have a clear path to Corey.
I come to a stop right in front of him. My heart pounds in my chest and my hands tremble. I have no idea if I’m angry at him for taking off like he did, or just relieved to see him.
My emotions war as he stares into my eyes. The rest of the room fades to nothing as I wait to hear what he’s got to say for himself.
Colton squeezes his shoulder before stepping away from us and disappearing from my vision.
“Harlow, can we talk?”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Corey
“Now?
