Life felt good tonight.Really good.Despite the stress, Clara had yet again grounded me when I least expected it.Henri cleared our dessert plates and we made our way back to the great room.
“I could look at this view forever,” Zoey said from in front of the large window overlooking the city.Mia returned to the play area, and I led Clara to the low couches in the middle.
“I’ve never gotten tired of it,” I admitted.
Suddenly the intercom buzzed—someone requesting access to the penthouse elevator.“Is someone here?”Clara asked.
I checked my phone, seeing a text from Archer that I’d missed.“It’s my brother.”I crossed to the intercom panel in the foyer and hit the button to grant him access.
Zoey’s eyes brightened.“I hear he’s single.”
I laughed as I stood up, heading for the main door.“He is.But don’t get your hopes up.”
“Oh.He’s gay?”Zoey sounded thoroughly disappointed.
“No, not gay.Just…unavailable.I don’t know how else to put it.”Truth was, Archer was hung up on something, and I had a good idea what it was.However, I tried not to meddle in his love life because I didn’t want him meddling in mine.When I pulled open the door, I realized Archer wasn’t alone.He walked in with Axel Fairchild and Cora Margulis.
“It’s not too late for us, is it?”Archer asked with his typical winsome smile.His gaze coasted over my guests and the wattage on his smile increased.“Hey, guys.”
Zoey’s eyes had gone wide with shock, but I wasn’t sure if it was from the excitement of seeing Archer in person or maybe because she recognized our guests.It wouldn't be surprising—Axel Fairchild and his wife Cora were Manhattan fixtures, the kind of power couple who regularly made Page Six.
“You’re right on time, Brother Nightingale,” I told Archer before shaking Axel’s hand and giving Cora a quick hug.“I didn’t realize you two would be joining tonight.”
“We were all out at Faroe having dinner,” Cora said with a bright grin, her mahogany tresses slicked back in a stylish, low bun.“When Archer said we needed to stop by here on our way to bar hop in the Meatpacking District, we couldn’t say no.”
“We never need an excuse to see Nash Nightingale,” Axel cracked.“Do you really call Archer Brother Nightingale?”
“It’s just a stupid joke that came up the other day when we ran into Sebastian Cross in Queens,” Archer said with a sigh.“And now Nash is going to use it for the rest of our lives.”
“Literally until the day we die.Guys, let me introduce you.”I swept my arm toward Clara and Zoey.“I want you to meet Clara, my girlfriend.And this is her best friend Zoey.Clara’s daughter Mia is playing over there.”
There was a boisterous round of introductions as Cora came over, pulling both Clara and Zoey into a hug.Mia gravitated toward her mother, hiding her face behind the folds of Clara’s dress as Axel came over to shake the girls’ hands.
“I’m so happy to finally meet you,” Cora purred, staring deep into Clara’s eyes.“I’ve been hearing rumblings about a woman that changed Nash’s life.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Clara said with a grin.
Cora winked.“I can see it on his face.”
We all moved into the great room, situating ourselves amongst the couches and armchairs.Zoey looked a little starstruck as she settled in next to Clara.Mia returned to the play area.
Time melted away in the great room, and one drink turned into another.Clara held her own in the conversation, trading wit with Archer and peppering Axel with questions about his charity foundation.When Cora started telling a story about a disastrous charity gala where the ice sculpture melted into the shape of something obscene, Clara laughed so hard she snorted, which made everyone else laugh harder.Eventually Mia drifted over to the couch, climbing onto her mother’s lap and cozying in.I could see her little eyelids growing heavy as the conversation continued around her.
“She’s getting tired,” Clara murmured to me after a bit.
“We can put her in my room,” I said without hesitation.“Or one of the guest rooms.Whatever you want.”
Clara contemplated her daughter’s face for a few moments.“Do you want to go lie down in the bed and go to sleep honey?”
Mia furrowed her brows and shook her head, clutching tighter to her mother.
“It’s been a lot for her tonight,” Clara said.“I might just need to take her home.”
“Stay,” I whispered to Clara, smoothing my hand over her knee.“I’ll send for whatever you guys need.”
I saw the temptation flicker across Clara’s face, the desire to say yes and stay in this fantasy bubble we’d created tonight.I knew the request was a long shot.
“She won’t sleep without her blankie, and I’m not positive it’s a good idea to spring a sleepover on her after so much…newness today.”
