My assistant, who was proving to be one hell of a stylist, had brought over multiple dresses. A necessity, given that, within the last two weeks, Alivia barely had time to sleep, never mind shop for tonight’s important outfit. This dress had immediately stood out on the rack. Not just because it was emerald, but because it was simple enough that it wouldn’t compete with her beauty.
“I’m trying not to throw up.” Her hand went to her chest as her breathing turned labored. “But I might.”
Since my initial attempt didn’t last long enough, I needed another plan. Something that would get her mind focused on something other than the overwhelmingness of this evening.
I pulled her against me, my lips going to her neck. “If you can believe this, Lex is bossier than you, and I didn’t think anyone could outdo you.”
She let out a tiny laugh. “Is she giving you shit?”
“All the fucking shit.”
“Good. I told her to.” Her laugh came out a little stronger.
But it was enough.
I held her tighter, kissing the spot just below her earlobe before I moved my face in front of hers. “That’s the sound I wanted to hear.”
“Walker …” She let out a breath, taking in and releasing several more. “I’m trying not to lose it, but I’m failing.”
“Failing? Fuck no, you’re not. You’re thriving.”
“How can you even say that?”
My hands went to her face. “Because you haven’t screamed at anyone. You haven’t cried, not even once. You’re still able to laugh and smile. Baby, take a look around. This place is incredible. No one is going to believe their eyes when they walk in the door.”
She sucked her lips inward, her eyes closing as her chest rose. “But everyone is here. Or supposed to be here. Who knows if they showed up?”
“Oh, they showed up.”
Her eyes flicked open. “They did?”
“I took a look outside several minutes ago. The red carpet is on fucking fire.”
She groaned, “I’m really going to throw up.”
“No, you’re not.” I stroked her cheeks. “Listen to me. Tonight is going to be everything you want it to be. I promise. And once that door opens, your nerves are going to slip away,and you’re going to do what you do best, and that’s show them why Alivia’s is a home, not just a restaurant.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
I chuckled. “Is that anokay, I believe you? Or anokay, Walker, now shut the fuck up?”
She lifted her shoulders. “I’m going to keep that answer to myself.” She smiled.
“Fair.” I linked our fingers. “Let’s go open the door and welcome in your guests.”
As I turned around and took a step, she stopped me by squeezing my fingers.
I glanced over my shoulder to see what was wrong, and she said, “I heard from her today.”
It took me a second, but it hit me. “Your mom?”
“She said Dean was in the hospital. He has a kidney stone or something. Who even knows if that’s the truth? She was so drunk, she wasn’t making much sense.” I could tell every word she’d voiced cut in even deeper. “She asked if I’d bring her a bottle of rum since he wasn’t around to do it.”
The anger was bubbling so fucking hard in my chest; I was on the verge of exploding. But I wouldn’t let Alivia see that. Not here. Not in this setting. Not being one of the biggest moments of her life.
“What did you say to her?”
She was fighting back tears. “I told her if she was only reaching out to ask me for things, then to stop reaching out at all. But if she ever gets to the point where she’s sober and she wants to be my mom again, then she’ll always have a place in my life.”
