The two women air-kissed, and then Lacey moved on to talk with another older blonde copy-and-paste at the next table.
“Wow, that was, like, a really polite drive-by,” I observed when Nora returned to her seat. "She did not like me."
"Ah, sure, don't pay any mind to her." Nora's eyes warmed right back up as she leaned in for the gossip. "She's been trying to push her two granddaughters onto Cole for donkey's years, but he never gave either of them a second glance. And now, all of a sudden, he's strutting into this CEO of Year dinner, holding your hand fast and so obviously smitten. Naturally, Lacey's got her knickers in a bunch, wondering what on earth you've got that her granddaughters don't. Reminds me of when Cole's granddad first started bringing me along to these shindigs. The other wives wanted showgirls to stay up on stage in their sparkly bikinis. We weren't supposed to be down here mixing it up with the bigwigs making a fortune off our gams."
Nora’s face darkened with remembered bitterness. “The younger ones accept me now because I’ve been around for their version of forever. Also, I throw tons of charity dos, don't I? But the older ones still look at me like I don’t belong. Like I’ll never be good enough.”
Her troubles with the other society matrons made me feel sorry for Nora—especially in light of her poor health.
However, I also couldn't help but feel a little confused. “They didn’t accept you, but you’re happy Cole’s, ah…taken withsomeone who doesn’t quite fit in either?”
Nora graced another blonde matron passerby with a beneficent smile that totally belied her next words. “Dearie, I’d hang myself with my own rope if Cole married the granddaughter of any of these old-Vegas witches. I deserve a good granddaughter-in-law—one I can talk to just as easily as my old friend Glo.”
She grasped my free hand, giving it a firm squeeze, her face glowing with reminiscences of my grandmother. "Ah, I missed her something fierce when Cole's grandfather plucked me from the revue line and thrust me into his world. But bless her soul, Glo always had a way of knowing when I needed her most. Whenever I felt a bit low about not quite fitting in, there she was—giving me a ring, inviting me over to our old flat for a bit of grub, or insisting we hit the town for a few drinks. Back then, you young ones hadn't even coined the term 'girls' night out,' but Glo always seemed to sense when I needed one. I'll tell you, I miss her something terrible every single day...."
Nora’s eyes became watery as she remembered her old friend. She recovered quickly, though, pasting a smile on her face and patting my hand.
"But sure, why am I shedding tears?" she exclaimed, wiping her eyes. "After all, you've accepted Cole's marriage proposal, and you, my dear Sunny, are a delightful soul, just like your nan. It warms my heart knowing that my Coley's found such a gem in you. So thank you for taking him on, love. I know he can be a handful, but so was his granddad."
Nora rolled her eyes. "That man would've worked himself into an early grave if I hadn’t come along to give him a bit of craic. All I want is for my Coley to be truly happy, just like his granddad was with me."
I felt my own eyes brimming with tears. And if I still had any doubts about Cole’s plan to ease Nora’s mind in the last months of her life, they disappeared.
I squeezed Nora’s hand back and said, “You’re right. Who cares what anyone else thinks? Your approval is all I need.”
“Exactly!” Nora confirmed. “The rest of them can kiss our Irish asses!”
I laughed. “But I’m not Irish.”
“I’m giving you honorary citizenship for the kissing of our asses,” Nora informed me. "Because I’m rich and can do whatever I want."
A swell of music interrupted my reply of laughter. All conversation came to an end around us as all eyes turned toward where the famous comedian jogged onto the stage.
After a few opening jokes, he introduced Gregory Latham, the CEO of AudioNation—a man I only recognized because he'd been number one on last year's list ofsincityguide.com's Most Eligible Silver Bachelors.
He came out carrying a gleaming crystal statue with a bold stripe of cobalt running up its side.
"I was honored to receive this statue last year, and even though tonight’s winner is the youngest recipient of this honor in the Vegas Business Association's history, I fully approve of the committee's choice," he told the audience in a strong Southern twang. "This young man has done more for his family’s business holdings in five years than most CEOs, including myself, have done in twenty-five. And that's why I couldn’t be more honored to present the CEO of the Year Award to Coleridge Benton the Third, the CEO of Benton Worldwide Hotels and Resorts.”
“Wait,you’rethe CEO of the Year?" Iturned to Cole with wide eyes as applause sounded all around us. "Oh my gosh, congratulations! Why didn’t you tell me?”
Cole just gave me the smirk he'd apparently inherited from his grandmother and kissed me on my surprised mouth before finally letting go of my hand.
His speech was short and to the point. An almost terse list of milestones Benton Worldwide had reached under his leadership and an only slightly less terse list of what he had planned for the corporation’s future.
He wasn’t even trying to amuse the crowd as the comedian MC had. In fact, if his body language was any indicator, he thought all this pomp and circumstance was silly. I could tell he'd much rather be in his office, fulfilling his vision for his family's long-held company, rather than giving all these overstuffed businessmen a bullet list.
My heart swelled with happiness for him anyway. This was a special night for Cole, and even if our engagement was just an illusion, I felt so very proud of him.
But then his stance softened a bit, and instead of irritated, he seemed slightly uncomfortable as he said, “Before I go, I’d like to thank one person in particular….”
To my surprise, his eyes landed on me.
“Sunny Johnson, we’ve only known each other a short time, but you’ve made my life brighter. This award means more to me because you’re here by my side. Thank you.”
I didn’t realize my heart had stopped beating while he spoke directly to me until it came back with a thunderous roar. His sentiment was easily the nicest thing any man had ever said about me. Especially in public.
“He'strulysmitten with you,” Nora said, her eyes full of wonder. "It’s the same as when his granddad and I met. Oh, we just knew. Right away,we did.”
