Gray stood in his suit waiting for Sofia to come down the stairs. Monty looked at his watch. "You can come home and I'll text you before we're ready to leave."
"Where are you going?"
"Walnut Street on Beacon Hill." Monty smirked.
Walnut Street. He looked at his friend sideways. "What's the event?"
"The Kane's garden party."
Gray scoff. "It must be a small event. How did you get invited?"
"From what I've heard it's the opposite of small. Sinclair is dating the sister, so we received an invitation."
It had been four weeks since K left, and in that time he hadn't forgotten her. He had tried to keep busy, but it didn't work. "Will Oliver be there?"
"I don't think it's his crowd. Why?"
"I want to run something by him."
Monty shrugged. "Next time I meet with him. Austin is stopping by next week."
"Maybe I'll talk to him."
"I'll let you know how she looks."
His heart sped up. "How who looks?"
"Your damsel. I'm sure she'll be there."
Gray shrugged, pretending not to care, and breathed when Sofia appeared. "Camilla is all set with our bebé."
"Ready, beautiful?"
"Si, handsome."
Gray pretended to gag. "Watch it, you're the chauffeur tonight." Monty failed at sounding strict. Ana would walk all over him.
"Yes, boss."
Sofia laughed at their game. Once they settled into the car, it was a short drive. Parked cars lined the street. "There may not be parking."
Gray laughed. "I'll make do."
There was a line of cars moving slowly to let guests out at the door. When it was their turn, Gray didn't have to get out, because a gentleman opened the door and welcomed Monty and Sofia.
Gray drove around the block, and as he came around, the entire side was a iron fence in front of a high hedge with twinkling lights in the trees. He had been wrong about the garden. The Whitby mansion had vast grounds, but it was in the suburbs. He pulled the car up along the side of the road. When he rolled down his window, he heard music and voices. His heart beat faster. She was nearby. The summer evening was a pleasant temperature, neither hot nor cold. As if a force pushed him, Gray stepped out of the car.
At the end of the block, there was a gate. He had sat outside countless parties and had never wanted to peek inside. As he walked towards the gate, taking a peek was his only goal. The ivy growing on the iron hid him, but allowed him to see through the vines. Thankfully, it was taller than him. His eyes searched for a face he had only seen fully on his phone. He heard a familiar laugh, but it came from a dark-haired woman with Sinclair, her sister.
He stood watching for a long time. Monty and Sofia popped into view talking to various people. In the distance near the house, Sofia hugged a woman. He felt sweat under his arms, but was unsure if it was her. Eventually, they crossed the lawn walking closer. After Sofia left her, she looked around. Frozen, she looked at the gate. When she moved again, it was to walk toward him.
As she came into view, her face looked healed and absolutely stunning. She had pinned her thick hair up exposing her long, graceful neck. His breaths were shallow as his gaze took in her pale green dress. She looked like a princess.
Doyle walked right up to the gate and put her fingers through. "I hoped I'd see you."
He couldn't stop himself as his fingers met hers through the vines and metal. The zing of their touch surprised him. "How are you? You look beautiful, K."
She laughed softly. "You told me that before. Makeup is hiding the last of the discoloration. How have you been?"
"Good. The same. You saw Sofia."
She smiled. "I asked her about Ana. I offered to take more photographs with my camera."
He nodded. Would he see her again? "Have you been working?"
"I have a fashion shoot this week. My first one since, you know. I've been bored."
"At least, you aren't trending anymore."
She sighed. "It was awful. I'm not an heiress."
"I'm just a chauffeur."
"You told me you were more."
"Did I?"
"We shared a lot."
He looked down. "Why?"
"Why what?"
He looked around. "Why did you let it go so far?"
"I wanted to."
"But I'm... I assume your family has a chauffeur."
"Two."
"Would you ever with them?"
"One is ancient, and the other is good looking, but I've never found him attractive."
"But wouldn't it be beneath you?"
She giggled. "I remember you beneath me."
"Hey Doyle, what are you looking for?"
"Go," she whispered.
As he walked away, his finger tingled where they had touched the entire time they spoke. Gray didn't even recognize himself.
Unable to convince himself to drive home, he sat in the car and picked up his laptop. Instead of writing, he read and edited his previous writing. It was hard to forget she was nearby, but he didn't want to leave either, as if an imaginary string pulled him towards her.
Concentrating, he startled when the passenger door opened. A slow smile crossed his face as she slipped in beside him. "I can't be gone for long." She smiled at him.
He closed his laptop and tucked it to the side. Unable to control himself, he reached up and caressed the healed side of her face. She shut her eyes and leaned into his hand. "It's so soft."
She smiled. "I've missed you."
"You shouldn't. You belong to a different world."
"Believe me. I know."
"How are you dealing with the trauma? Any nightmares?"
"I'm learning to live with my humiliation and stupidity."
"Stop. It wasn't your fault." He held her hazel eyes captive with his own.
She leaned in and pressed her pink painted lips to his. At first he froze afraid it would be their last kiss again. He was only good enough for a fling but nothing more. The king of non lasting relationships was afraid to start one which was doomed from the start.
Gray should fire his self control because his mouth moved to taste her pretty lips. When their lips finally separated, they were both breathless.
He put his forehead on hers and whispered. "This isn't a good idea."
"It feels good."
How could he argue? "Tell me about when you saw your family? I kept hoping it went okay for you.
She nodded. "I thought my mother would freak out, but she was just glad to have me home. If I had known they were worried, I would have called."
He nodded. "And the police? Have they questioned you again?"
She shook her head. "The band is still touring like nothing happened."
"Don't think about them. I try hard not to think of you with that long-haired..."
She pushed on his shoulder. "Remember, I was with you last. Compared to you he was definitely a mistake."
"And I wasn't?"
She giggled and shook her head. "If it's a mistake, I want to keep making it."
"Not a good idea. I'm just the help."
"I don't care."
"You should and what I do reflects on Monty. He's my best friend."
"See we should be able to be friends."
He laughed. "You are tenacious."
She smiled. "Who's using the big words now. How's your writing coming along?"
"Good, but it's probably not good."
She smiled. "I bet you're wrong. Maybe you'll show it to me one day."
He laughed. "I'm not sure I'll ever show it to anyone. It keeps me out of trouble."
"Unlike me." She smiled and then sighed. "I should get back before they miss me. I feel like I have a dozen eyes on me." She leaned in and kissed his lips, but pulled away too soon. "You didn't ask, but I haven't even touched a joint since we met."
"You drank. I tasted it."
Her face fell. "Is that okay?"
He nodded. "It's fine. It was sweet. I never drank sweet liquor."
She nodded. "Champagne."
"Go. Have another glass." He should tell her to go find a man her age, but he couldn't get the words out. "Bye K."
She held his hand and dragged her fingers away as she slipped out of the car. Maybe he should have opened the door for her, but it might have drawn attention. The street was quiet. No other cars had parked near him.
Instead of opening his laptop, he put his head back and remembered the feel of her lips. Why couldn't he forget her?
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