“Are you ready?”
“Yes,” I said before turning to give Sasha a hug. “Thank you!”
“Anytime,” Sasha replied with a squeeze. “Knock their socks off,” she whispered in my ear, then looked to both of us and said, “You kids have fun!”
Scott walked over and kissed her on top of her unruly red hair. “Thanks, Sash.”
He whisked me out the door and I gasped when I saw the limo waiting out front.
“Really?” I asked, unable to keep the excitement out of my voice.
Scott chuckled next to me. “Have you never ridden in one?”
I shook my head and allowed myself to clap my hands together excitedly before gaining my composure and climbing in when he opened the door.
There were lush seats going around the back of the limo. They were black leather, with little tables situated throughout. There was a television, radio, and mini fridge against one wall, and glasses lining the other.
I looked up at the sunroof above us and asked giddily, “Can I look out there real quick? Before we start going fast? I don’t want to mess up my hair.”
Scott laughed as he pressed a button and the sunroof opened. I popped my head out of the limo and waved enthusiastically at Sasha, who was coming out of my house. I could hear her laughter follow us as we exited the driveway and started down my street. I looked around happily, until I felt the wind pick up. I didn’t want to ruin Sasha’s masterpiece, so I sat back down and said, “Thanks!”
Scott closed the window and handed me a flute of champagne.
“Anything for you.”
His words warmed me as much as the champagne going down my throat.
I eased back into the seat and allowed myself a moment of silence to enjoy the luxury.
“Gabs?” I opened my eyes to see Scott looking down at me.
“Yes?”
“Thanks for being here,” he responded. He took my hand in his and held it until the limo began to slow, indicating we’d arrived at our destination.
He escorted me into the ballroom, and I looked around at my opulent surroundings. As I took in the pink-and-white theme, decked out with pink ribbons everywhere, I realized that I’d never asked what the charity event was for, and now that I did, I was even happier to be there with Scott.
We walked around the room, mingling with Scott’s clients, co-workers, and the city’s elite. I sipped champagne and made small talk, feeling surprisingly comfortable and in my element. I’d seen some of these faces come into Bee Sweet and was thinking that I could do this, I could handle this part of Scott’s life … when I turned to greet whoever had just come up behind us and came face to face with Scott’s mother.
She didn’t look happy to see me. In fact, when she looked down and saw Scott’s hand placed at my back, her tight face grew even tighter.
“Scott,” she said in her nasally voice, flicking her eyes from me to her son. “What is she doing here?”
I felt Scott stiffen beside me and watched his face go from happy and open to closed off.
“Mother,” he said in greeting. “Gaby is here with me, she’s my date.”
“How distasteful of you,” she replied sharply, causing me to flinch. “Your friend will need to make other arrangements. Victoria is here to be your date.”
As if conjured, Victoria appeared by Scott’s mother’s side.
They could have been twins. Both with their brunette hair pulled back in a tight bun, both wearing dark suits featuring skirts and tailored jackets, and both wearing sour expressions that made their naturally beautiful faces look ugly.
“Mother.” Scott’s exasperation was apparent. “First of all, Gaby isn’t going anywhere; she’s with me. Secondly, what game are you playing? Victoria and I are no longer together, and that isn’t going to change.” I noticed the hurt flash across Victoria’s face, and felt a twinge of compassion for her. Although she’d never warmed up to our group, I’d seen her and Scott’s relationship in the beginning, and she’d seemed like she was a nice person around him. Scott was oblivious to Victoria’s reaction, however; his eyes were solely focused on his mother. “I am here for work … I can’t believe that you would pull this here.”
“Mrs.?? ” I w
as cut off from my response when Mr. Brandt walked up and placed his hand at my elbow.