Happiness is worth grabbing on to however it comes to you.
“You don’t need to keep checking on her. She’s a big girl, she’s doing fine without you over there.”
I look away from Hallie across the room and meet Sullivan’s eyes.
“I wasn’t.”
He shakes his head with a grunt.
“I was just thinking it’s the first time I’ve seen her wear gray, that’s all. It suits her.”
“That’s not gray, Dad.”
“So it’s silver. It looks good on her.”
“Silver?” Sullivan arches a brow.
“That’s what I said.”
Lawson chuckles into his glass, his eyes scanning the room as he pretends he isn’t listening to us.
“Sinclair told me it’s a specific shade,” Sullivan says, his voice low. “You know what it’s called?”
My eyes slide over the curve of Hallie’s hips from behind, and I swallow.
“Should I?”
My son leans closer, patting me on the back. “Apparently she’s wearingyou, Dad.”
“Sterling silver,” Lawson muses. “Well, you certainly do look good on her.”
My eyes lock with Hallie’s as she turns. She smiles, oblivious to the air that’s been punched from my lungs.
She’s thirty. She’s not… She can never be… I can’t allow myself to even consider it for a moment…
“Don’t stay out too late, Dad,” Sullivan warns before he walks away.
Lawson’s eyes follow mine to Hallie, before he winks at me. “Or do.”
10
HALLIDAY
The energy flowingfrom Lavinia is warm and inviting, and the way she talks about her fundraising is inspiring. She’s a woman with a big heart and a lot to give. And I certainly didn’t miss the way Sterling’s hand left my back to embrace her the moment he saw her.
Energy tingled through my veins when Sterling picked me up this evening. It only intensified when we walked into the ballroom together. Could it be because Lavinia is here? It’s the first time I’ve seen them together physically. I had a similar reaction when my last client met his date, who he’s now engaged to. Similar, but not quite the same. But I can’t read too much into that. Everyone’s vibration is unique.
“You’ve known Sterling a long time. You must be close?”
Lavinia’s light gray eyes sparkle as she reaches up to touch her earring. “Yes, Elaina and I were friends. I met him shortly after they got engaged.”
“I’m so sorry you lost your friend.”
She smiles sadly. “Thank you. Elaina was a wonderful person. A great mother.”
“That’s what Sterling says.”
“I imagine it is. I’d expect nothing less than him to talk of her with fondness. He’s a gentleman. Always has been.” Her gaze flits across the room to where Sterling is watching us. He smiles at Lavinia and then carries on talking to Sullivan and the other man he’s with. “I’m glad Sinclair hired you.”
