Gifted Connections 4

“Ma and Da don’t pay you!” Anna stomped her foot like a petulant child.

Jace stepped forward with a charming smile. “Anna, may I call you Anna?”

She nodded and looked at him like she was eyeing a decadent dessert.

“I understand that you want to have a good time,” Jace continued. “And your guests want that too, but in cases like this, we always have a dog, and not once did the guests or the host know he was even there. If you like, we can give you another list of our references. Particularly where dogs were used.”

“Wanna take me to my room?” she asked bluntly as she ran a hand down his chest. “Have a quick roll in the sack before my guest arrives?”

I stiffened as someone wrapped their arms around me. I could smell him immediately and knew it was Troy.

“She’s crazy as shit, Blake, but her taste is impeccable. Do you get to keep this little number?” he asked, eyeing my dress.

There was no way I could tell him I believed it was all a defense mechanism for her, that her road hadn’t been an easy one.

I nodded instead. “She gifted it to me and insisted I give her the address to our hotel. She’s sending over more clothing tomorrow morning.”

Jace was smiling charmingly once more, bringing me back to their conversation. “As tempting as that sounds,” Jace said, and I could feel his eyes wander towards me, his eyes widening in approval. “I could never disrespect my fiancé like that.”

My heart leaped at the thought. Children? They scared me. But a more permanent solution to our connection? I would love that. Unfortunately, no state would recognize our union.

“Are any of you single?” Anna cried out in frustration.

Leo and a few of the other guys raised their hands good-naturedly. She eyed them all. “I know I have you hired until two. At 2:01 I expect to see you in my room,” she pointed at Leo.

Leo chuckled as he looked over at Troy.

“When you’re off-duty, I have no say over what you do,” Troy said in an amused tone.

“Did Jeeves show you the food tables and drink tables?” Anna asked as she looked at all of us with a satisfied smile. The guys nodded. “Make sure you blend in. If anyone asks, tell them we’re related or that your related to Mutt and Jeff, hell, my employees even, just don’t tell them you’re my security, please. Come on, Silvermist,” she called.

Everyone stared in confusion at her.

Troy chuckled in my ear. “I think she means you.”

I groaned. Was I the only one who never watched the Tinker Bell movies?

“Silvermist,” she looked at me pointedly. “If I’m Tinker Bell then you’re Silvermist. I need you by my side tonight. If the psycho makes an appearance, I’ll make sure I have a kick-ass girl next to my side. No one would expect you to be such a badass. We’re friends. We met in foster care. That’s our cover story.”

I looked up at Troy, and he smiled. “She makes Jemmy look like a saint.”

I had to agree.

The party was in full swing less than thirty minutes later. I almost wished Jemmy could have been here. She would have been loving life. There were so many recognizable faces, and I found myself slightly starstruck. Anna continually dragged me from person to person and plied me with glasses of wine. After the third one, I was feeling buzzed somewhat, and I was thankful that one of the guys would swoop in and replace it with cranberry juice when Anna’s back was turned.

“You’re a natural,” Anna said as she leaned into me. “That or you live under a rock and don’t know who half these people are.”

I laughed. “I recognize them thanks to my…soon to be sister in law,” I stated as I looked over the crowded room. “I just thought she would love to be here.”

“Call her!” Anna exclaimed. “Invite her over.”

I frowned. “I wish I could, but we don’t live around here,” I said evasively.

“Next time,” she insisted. “Give me your phone.”

I looked at her in confusion. She looked at me like I was dense. “I’m going to give you my number. Text me. I’ll let you know the next time I have a party. Bring her along.”

I laughed as I handed her the phone. “Thanks, but I don’t know when or if that would be possible. I volunteered to help out with this party and one more. I’m not sure when we can make our way back here.”