He turns to face me with a smile. “It is. I know we don’t get a lot of date nights with Gracie, so I wanted to make this one as memorable as possible,” he says, cupping the side of my face. “And what better way to do so than by incorporating your love for the fifties.”
“Oh, Wolf…” I turn to him with warmth filling my heart. “You don’t have to go through all this trouble for me. I’m more than happy with what we already have,” I tell him sincerely.I couldn’t ask for anything more.
“I want to give you the world, Emma. Haven’t I made that clear yet? There’s nothing I won’t do for you.”
He lowers his head and brings his lips to the side of mine, laying a kiss not even a millimeter away. He straightens with a smile, then continues guiding me down to the car and into the back seat.
It’s clear the car isn’t in its original state with how luxurious and new the interior looks, but I couldn’t care less. Greyson did all this just to please me. He didn’t have to, hewantedto, and that is something my heart can’t ignore. Besides, I’m definitely on board with the extra privacy from the tinted windows and partition glass. I’ll never say no to a little alone time with my Wolf.
Forty minutes later, we make it to the gala as a gentleman opens the door and Greyson steps out, quickly adjusting his suit. He then gives me his hand to climb out as well and helps me fix my dress into place. I lace my hand around his arm before we walk down a red-carpeted path.
Photographers and reporters line both sides of the rope barrier, lights flashing constantly in our faces as we smile. Greyson’s name gets called repeatedly, even mine filters through every so often. But we don’t stop to talk, simply making our way into the beautifully decorated establishment.
The ginormous room looks like every other gala I’ve been to, made for the wealthy. Everyone dressed to the nines, waiters passing around trays full of hors d’oeuvres and champagne. There are three different bars serving any choice of alcohol, and tables with seating are set up around the room for those who want to rest. There’s also a stage at the far end for the presentation later, as well as the live auction. And hundreds of checkbooks walk around, waiting to be ass-kissed before signing them over.
We make our way deeper in, stopping to say hello to a few people before finding our friends near a bar at the back. The moment we step up to the group, a waiter appears at our side holding out his champagne tray. Greyson and I both take one and thank the young man.
“Nice ride you guys had. We saw it down the street,” Gabe says. “We should have gotten something cool like that, too.”
“Sadly, not all men are as attentive and caring as our dear Greyson here,” Ronnie adds. “I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen another like him. If I had, I wouldn’t be single.”
“That’s because you didn’t see Sy trying to win over Cece. It was almost pathetic,” Noah chuckles.
“Oh stop, it was adorable. He was like a nervous lost puppy trying to win over his owner. No offense, Grey, you’re very romantic in your own way, but Silas beats everyone out with romantic gestures. Jesus, he made you guys dress up as huge foam letters that spelled outlovefor her birthday!” Morgan says, laughing.
“Shit, that’s right! I forgot about that. That was epic!” Gabe joins in, laughing as well.
“It really was. You should have seen Cecilia’s face when she saw them coming! Hayes, you still have the video?” I ask Silas, to which he nods with an evil smile.
“No. It was not epic in any way. That shit was embarrassing as hell.” Clay narrows his eyes as they all laugh harder.
“I’m with Clay on this, it was mortifying! Super romantic, but terrifying,” Cece says with wide eyes.
The conversation continues on with everyone laughing together, and I notice the only one not joining in is Aubrey. When I glance her way, I find her gaze fixed in one specific direction. And of course, when my eyes travel to where hers lead, I find Shane dressed up nicely with the Storm brothers.
When I look back at Brey, her back straightens and eyes grow wide. A small blush forms on her cheeks as she passes her fingers through her hair quickly. Turning to the men once more, I find them heading in our direction.Well, this is going to be fun.
“Ah, if it isn’t my favorite new neighbors.” Jessie comes up first with that charming megawatt smile. “Wooh! My heart is about to jump out of my chest with how many beautiful women surround me in this moment.”
“Hi, Jessie,” all of us girls say, giggling.I like him, he’s funny.
“What my incompetent brother meant to say is evening, gentlemen. Ladies, you all look incredibly lovely tonight,” Julian says, eyeing all of us with that calculative stare he seems to wear permanently, as if he always has a greater agenda behind each word he speaks.
They finally land on Aubrey, and a mischievous smirk forms at the corner of his lips. “Miss Ford, you look exquisitely ravishing. A beautiful dress for a beautiful woman. The color highlights all your features in the very best way. Would you not agree, Jefferson?”
Oh, I see what he’s doing… I love it. But that’s a dangerous game to play, certainly with Greyson right here.
Shane straightens, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallows then clears his throat. “Uh, yeah. Yes. The dress, it’s… it’s…” He clears his throat once more.Oh my God! Shane! Stop talking!
I spot Greyson frowning from my side as his coach trips over his words.Someone needs to do something before the wrong person catches on.I look at the girls as they all stare with wide eyes, unsure what to do while the three brothers snicker beside a nervous Shane.
Finally, he sighs, letting the nerves leave his body and smiling with affection at Aubrey. “You look magnificent, Aubrey.” The way her name rolls off his tongue almost givesmethe shivers. I can visibly see Aubrey softening with every word.
“Thank you, Shane. You as well,” she answers, her cheeks turning red. “I mean, you look really handsome,” she tells him softly.
I peek at our group and find Clay and Silas giving each other a look while Noah and Gabe seem to have caught on and find this hilarious but are trying to keep it inside.If they have caught on, Grey won’t be far behind. Time to intervene.
“He really does, don’t you girls think? Who knew Coach could look this good in a tux? I mean, damn, Shane, if you wore this to every hockey game, the arena would be packed with ladies there only for you.”Okay, I may be overselling it a little, but if it can take Greyson’s attention off them, then the plan worked.
