“Ah,wunderbar, you are here. I thought I was going to have to send someone on a rescue mission,” she jokes. “Come, come, all this food needs to be eaten, and my two girls are too skinny.”
ChapterSeven
Jacinta
She nudges Harlow toward a spot between Thomas and Kai, then she directs me to one between Shane and Alex. Food is being passed around, and the happy sound of laughter and conversation is an added balm to my frayed edges. All in all, I feel pretty fucking good now, and I don’t hate the feeling.
“Hi,” I chirp as I sit between the two men who have been on my periphery for so many years. Now that I’ve stepped back from the CEO role at Couture, there’s nothing professionally stopping me from pursuing a relationship or something with these three sexy men if they’re open to it. To be fair to them, maybe I should see my therapist and sort out everything else in my life before I commit to a real relationship. There’s nothing stopping me from some harmless flirting though.
“Hi, gorgeous.” Alex gives me a kiss on the cheek, more forward than he’s ever been, followed by a cheeky wink. “That dress is perfect on you.”
“Thank you, it’s one I designed myself.” I watch, bemused, as Shane starts to add food to my plate before passing it down to Jace on his other side. Alex goes over to the drinks station and pours another glass of champagne before returning and placing it in front of me. A giddy feeling of warmth rushes through me. I like being cared for. It’s a new thing. Not that my family has never cared for me, but any men who have been in my life romantically usually want me running around after them.
“We were just talking about Jace’s show and what a wonderful idea it was to hire an antebellum style home to show off all his gorgeous ball gowns,” Shane says in his gravelly voice that makes my nipples pebble beneath my dress. There’s no bra to hide it, and when I look at Alex, he’s peeking at my breasts. Instead of hiding my reaction, I pull my shoulders back enough that he can get a good look. His gaze rises to meet mine, and his eyes widen minutely before a small smirk rises on his lips. He closes the distance between us.
“I have the same reaction every time he says something to me too,” he whispers. His hand caresses my dress-covered leg before going back to his food.
“The house is gorgeous, and it has these two curving staircases that descend from a balcony to the backyard. Then there’s this path through these fabulous old trees. They’re overgrown, creating this kind of natural arbor. I thought we could set up chairs on either side and have the models come down the staircases then use the path as the runway. It’s going to be an amazing backdrop for those dresses.”
“Yes, and I get final say in the models, don’t I?” Jace leans forward so I can see him past Shane.
“Yes, of course. We can have a call next week.”
“Good. I want healthy, realistic models to wear my clothes. Not models who are only skinny because they exist on coke and mineral water,” he grumbles, tearing apart a roll and running it through his gravy.
“It’s so exciting. I saw his menswear designs, and I will totally look incredible in them.” And that right there is one of the things I love about Alex. He’s one hundred percent sure of himself. He knows he’s hot, and he’s not afraid to tell you about it, but not in an arrogant, stuck-up way. It’s completely adorable, like an overenthusiastic golden retriever.
“You’ll have to audition too,” Shane cautions, and I wave my hand.
“Actually, he won’t because he’s on a part-time retainer with us. It’s part of his contract to be in it. Hayden Christie is the same. Having the two of them is like having the superstars of the modeling world, and we’ll have all the who’s who of fashion scrambling for an invite.”
Alex preens, and Shane, Jace, and I exchange an amused glance. This is fun. I like being included in their circle. It makes me feel warm and wanted.
The clinking of a fork against a glass draws my attention to the head of the table. Dad, flanked by Emma and Molly, is standing, looking the happiest I’ve seen him since the first day Harlow joined our family.
“Welcome, everyone, and thank you for coming to celebrate the births of Jaxon, Jacinta, and Harlow. It is made even more special by the fact that it is our first with Harlow. These last few months have been a bit tumultuous with everything that has happened, but I’m happy to say we have weathered the bad times, and I hope there are only sunny days ahead of us.”
“Here, here!” calls Poppy.
“So, not only are we celebrating birthdays, but we are also now celebrating impending birthdays. Congratulations to all of you who are expecting a child, which brings me toourannouncement.” Dad’s grin turns a little sheepish, and he blushes bright red, as do Emma and Molly. “Seems like there might have been something in the water at the gala because we’re expecting too.”
Nana gasps. “Another baby?” She looks between Emma and Molly. “Which one of you?” Dad becomes even redder, pointedly not looking up, while Molly messes with her napkin.
Emma is the brave one who answers Nana. “Both of us.” There’s a shocked silence before the table erupts.
“Oh my!” Nana leaps to her feet and practically runs toward the three of them to give them her congratulations.
“Holy shit, how did that happen? I thought you were infertile after the mumps?” Holden asks.
His question is almost drowned out by Oliver’s. “Dad, you are a stud!”
Rolling my eyes, I wait for my turn to congratulate the happy throuple.
Dad shrugs, and Emma looks embarrassed. “I guess they got the diagnosis wrong.”
“We never used condoms because we didn’t think there was any chance of this happening. I guess that kind of bit us in the ass.”
“But we’re just rolling with it. Emma and I always wanted children but hadn’t gotten around to it yet. We couldn’t be happier about having them with a man like Brad.” Molly fusses between her two partners like she’s trying to reassure everyone.
