Pretenders (Firsts and Forever 3)

I hugged him a little tighter and murmured, “You’re so kind, Wes.”

He tilted my chin up and brushed his lips to mine, and I let myself get lost in his kiss.

Chapter 10

We spent all afternoon with Millie once she got up from her nap, until Camille came to collect her so they could get ready for the party. Then we located one of the maps of the property his mother had printed up, so we could find out where we were staying. It turned out Eloise had stuck us in separate bedrooms, but Wes just rolled his eyes, collected my luggage from the first bedroom, and brought it with us to his room.

As he locked the door behind us, I studied the map and said, “This property includes two tennis courts, a volleyball court, a putting green, a shuffleboard court, an organic garden, a boathouse with kayaks and jet skis, a billiards room, an outdoor movie theater, a state-of-the-art gym, a masseuse, a private chef, and a butler.” I glanced at Wes. “Wow, your family’s really roughing it.”

“Clearly.”

“Also, Warren and Jack’s room is at the exact opposite end of the building, literally as far from us as your mother could manage.”

“She was hoping to avoid any ugliness. I’m surprised she didn’t stick me out in the boathouse.”

“You’re letting everyone down,” I joked. “They were expecting drama, and instead you’re totally rational and indifferent. Maybe you should throw a drink in Jack’s face at the party, just for good measure.”

“That would certainly stir things up.”

“Also, is Warren just totally off the hook here? You thought those two might have been messing around while you and Jack were engaged, so he belongs on your shit list.”

Wes opened a door to an enclosed patio, and a warm breeze stirred his hair as he said, “If I were to accuse them without evidence, I’d end up looking like the bad guy. As much as I’d love to know what really happened there, the best thing for me is just to move on.”

“Yeah, I suppose you’re right.” He opened his luggage and retrieved a toiletry bag, and rather than continue to stir the pot, I changed the subject with, “So, what can I expect at tonight’s shindig?”

“The best of everything, to an extreme. I’ve been to countless parties just like this, and it’s always ridiculous. They’re an excuse to show off more than anything, with the finest champagne, the best chefs, the biggest entertainment, the most prestigious guests—anything to impress their social circle. All her friends host lavish parties, but my mother upped the ante by proving she could draw the crème de la crème of high society all the way to Bora Bora. It’ll all be tasteful and elegant, but it’ll also make it perfectly clear my parents are at the top of the hierarchy in their peer group.”

“Sounds gross. How long will we have to stay at the party?”

Wes shrugged. “We’ll need to stick around through dinner, but no one will miss us if we slip out after that.”

“Okay, I can handle that.”

He told me he’d be right back, then went into the bathroom and emerged a couple of minutes later wearing his glasses. “I reached my limit with my contacts,” he said. “I don’t know why I even bothered with them in the first place.”

He stretched out beside me on top of the covers and kissed me. It was tender and unhurried. Then he gathered me in his arms and murmured, “I know I’ve told you this more than once, but I’m so glad you’re here.”

“I am, too. I’m also glad not everyone in your family is a complete tool.”

He chuckled at that and said, “Camille and I have grown closer over the last few years. She was always busy doing her own thing when we were growing up, and she’s extremely focused on her career, but we’ve bonded over our mutual love for her daughter.”

“Is Beau a stay-at-home dad?”

“He is, and I’m glad about that for Millie’s sake.”

“That must be tough for him in this type-A family of overachievers. Does your family respect the fact that he chose parenting over a career?”

“Normally they’d hate that,” he said, “since career success is of utmost importance to them. But Beau’s family is filthy rich—like, next level wealthy, even by my parents’ standards. I’m sure that’s why they cut him some slack when it comes to his lack of a career.”

“I just thought of something. If your family is already ridiculously wealthy, why would having a well-paying career as a surgeon matter?”

“It’s not about the salary, it’s about the prestige. Being a surgeon is considered both an important and noble profession. Then there’s the fame and glory that comes with being a world leader in your field. On top of that, there’s the matter of honoring and upholding our family’s legacy, going back to my famous grandfather.”