“Dinner and a show,” Cole says, hands firmly gripping the wheel as he takes us on a ride across Midtown.
“What show?”
“You’ll see.”
“Playing your cards close to the vest,” I say and giggle nervously.
Asher leans forward, and I turn my head to look at him, instantly caught in the dark blue of his eyes. “It’s the element of surprise, Willow. But we’re certain you’ll enjoy it.”
“How are you certain? You don’t even know me that well.”
Toby laughs lightly. “Let’s just say you’re a bit of an open book.”
As soon as we pull up outside the cabaret theater, I understand precisely what they mean. I know this place. My interest is piqued.
“How’d you know?”
The Morgan brothers flank me with bustling confidence; faint smiles etched across their handsome faces as they look at me.
“You’re a powerhouse, Willow,” Cole says. “A strong, young woman who built her business from the ground up. You have certain appearances you need to keep up in public, especially when you’re dealing with prissy Hamptonites and upstate New Yorkers and their fancy weddings.But deep down, there’s a sizzling core of want and need written in your eyes.”
I’m briefly mesmerized by the intensity of his gaze, by the scent of musk and jasmine coming off him in subtle waves. I’m drawn by the broadness of his shoulders beneath his navy blue jacket.
Toby whispers in my ear. “He saw your post about this place from two weeks ago on your Facebook page. Your profile is public.”
“Ah.” I burst into laughter, realizing Toby is absolutely right. My profile is public, and I do remember casually sharing a post about the cabaret and their winter program.
Cole gives me a crooked, playful smile. “They’re doing the Red Velvet Cupcakes number tonight. I figured you’d want to see that one first. Rita Von Vanderburg is headlining the show.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” I reply.
Once we’re inside, a hostess dressed in a ridiculously tight, red velvet bodycon dress welcomes us and escorts us to our table—front-row seats, mere feet away from the sprawling stage.
“Oh, wow, it’s quite something,” I mumble as I gaze around.
Our table features booth-style seating that hides us from sight. I imagine when they turn the lights down during the show we’ll have even more privacy, and I’m surprised by my dirty thoughts.
“We could kick things off with some champagne,” Cole says to the hostess as he and his brothers take their seats.
He sits close enough to me to keep me intoxicated with his fine cologne while Asher flanks my left side. Toby sits across the table, but his long legs still make it easy for our knees to discretely touch.
“I agree,” I say with a slight nod.
Five minutes later, a waitress in tight black velvet brings the champagne over, along with four glasses, then leaves us with the menus. “The show starts in about an hour, so you have plenty of time to order whatever you desire.”
“Yes, eating while Rita Von Vanderburg takes a dip in a giant champagne glass,” Toby chuckles softly. “I don’t mind it one bit.”
By the time the first course of our dinner arrives, the conversation is sparkling and sprinkled with heavy laughter as we talk about what it was like for me to date their stepbrother. I wasn’t that open about it at first but seeing the ease with which they talk smack about Terrence, I relax and recount the experience.
“He never gave me flowers,” I say at one point. “Oh, gosh… I shouldn’t be talking like this. We’re supposed to be on a date.”
“Weareon a date. We can talk about whatever we want,” Asher says. “We saw very little of you two when you were engaged. We’re trying to understand precisely how much of a loser he is. Fumbling a woman like you is unconscionable.”
“Asher, you’re too kind. I’m far from perfect.”
“No one is perfect. But you’re hardly the kind of creature a man in his right mind would toss aside, certainly not in that manner,” he replies with a deep frown. “Truth betold, when our father married Sheila, we weren’t too happy, mainly because her kid was already troublesome. From prep school to college, plenty of donation checks were signed and slipped to the deans to keep that idiot enrolled. When he first announced that you two were dating, we were genuinely intrigued.”
“Terrence isn’t the kind of man who can attract a good woman,” Toby agrees. “It was a mystery.”
