I resist the urge to fidget. My sympathy for the animals at Furry Haven triples. This must be how they feel when somebody walks in to adopt—the desperate need to be deemed good enough to be accepted the way they are.
“You remind me of myself,” Ceinlys finally says. “From a long time ago, of course.”
I stare at her, not believing my ears. How could I have anything in common with this ultra-glamorous woman?
“Don’t look so shocked, my dear. Not all of us are born into wealth. Some marry into it.” She smiles. “If Nicholas loves you and wants you to be by his side, then that’s all that matters. Provided, naturally, that you adore him in return.”
Of course I adore him. But the problem is I’m not sure howhefeels—or if it’s going to last for more than a few weeks. Owen dumping me hurt. Nicholas dumping me would be devastating.
Come on, girl. It’s fake dating, fake dumping and fake devastating.
Except an odd stutter in my heart says nothing feels fake with Nicholas.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Nicholas
The limo moves in a stately manner through the L.A. traffic. More accurately, the chauffeur is trying for stately, but the pace is more suited to a snail.
Lucie texted and asked me to pick Molly up from a spa for the gala. She said Molly would be fully massaged, made up and ready for the evening. So I’m inside the vehicle, checking my texts, all casual and cool. But my heart is beating double time, and every cell in my body roils with restless energy.
This is going to be our first night out together.
I spent over an hour debating which tux to wear. What cologne to put on—or if I should bother with it at all. Which watch and cuff links to select.
I settled on Armani—because it’s classic—and nothing for cologne because none of the scents seemed acceptable. A watch from Harry Winston, and cuff links from Sebastian Jewelry with emeralds in the center because the shade reminds me of Molly’s eyes.
Then I picked out a bouquet with lisianthus and sweet pea—Molly’s favorite flowers.
My phone buzzes with another text from Huxley.
–Huxley: I’d give a kidney to be going to the charity gala tonight with you.
–Me: Why? You don’t like those things that much.
He goes to a select few high-society functions purely for networking. He doesn’t care that much about schmoozing with the city’s rich and powerful, since he is one.
–Huxley: Yeah, but my grandmother wants to see me. To discuss the “proper course” for my life.
That’s Huxley’s grandma-speak for “see the light and join the family law firm, my dear, ideally sooner rather than later.” His mother’s side of the family takes their legal dynasty seriously.
–Emmett: Guess you telling her, “I’ve already given my name to the firm. What more do you want?” didn’t go over well?
–Huxley: You should’ve seen her face. She would’ve shot me if she’d had a gun. I apologized before she could get up to grab one.
–Noah: I didn’t know she owned a gun.
–Huxley: She has an impressive collection. A crack shot, too. If life were a western, she’d be the bad-ass gunslinger everyone cowered around.
–Noah: If you send a hefty check to the foundation, your accountant will thank you for another tax deduction. Then you can tell her you’re practicing tax law, LOL.
–Huxley: Yeah, that’d go over well. Asshole. You’re just laughing because your family doesn’t try to tell you what to do.
Herding feral cats would be easier than trying to get Noah to do something he didn’t want to. Hell, half the time, you can’t even get him to do what he does want. Like finishing the novel he started back in… I can’t even remember when.
–Emmett: I sent some money, too, since I can’t go. Monique needs me, and Amy apparently has to work late. I don’t know why, but I’m sure Grant does.
Little Monique is their daughter. Amy works at GrantEm, a venture capital firm founded by Emmett and Grant. She used to report to Emmett, but after marrying him, she switched bosses to avoid any appearance of favoritism. But anybody who knows how smart and hardworking she is recognizes she’s legitimately earned every promotion and bonus.
