Chapter Twenty-Five
Hunter
The first gala event of the season took place a few evenings later.
“How do I look? Is this okay?” Josie asked, twirling in front of me as we were getting ready. She was wearing the white-and-silver dress we’d bought on that shopping spree. The one that had driven me crazy with lust even back then.
“You’re beautiful.”
“Your voice sounds a bit growly. Is this too revealing for you, husband?” She twirled again, giving me a view of her exposed back, all that soft skin on display. The dress was long enough that it reached the floor, but the plunging back was just killing me.
“Are you teasing me?”
“Yes, sir, I am.”
“You look too fucking beautiful. But... it’s... if we go to the event with you wearing that, I’ll have to fight off men for you. You’re not wearing it.”
“Then why the hell did we buy it?”
“Because you look absolutely gorgeous in it.”
“See? I have to put it to good use.”
“I have an idea. You can wear it just for me. In here.”
She narrowed her eyes. “That’s a waste of a dress. Right... when I asked your opinion, I just meant if it’s appropriate for the caliber of the event. It’s the first Ballroom Gala of the season. But I won’t change it because you’re jealous.” She tapped her ring. “This will keep men at bay. Also, you’re the host of the event. Everyone will know I’m your wife.”
“How? You’re not sharing my last name.”
She rolled her eyes at me. “If I had a penny every time you said that. Now, come on. Or we’ll be late. I’m nervous.”
“Don’t be.”
“This is a huge thing. How did you get the idea?” she asked once we were in the back of a car. We were arranging transport for all the guests.
“Had been reading about Bill Gates, and how he convinced various high earners to donate to causes he’d donated to himself. It’s much easier if you have skin in the game. Plus, if you gather everyone in the room, the social pressure to make generous donations is higher.”
“You’re devious.”
“But it works.”
“Smart man.”
“Besides, it was an opportunity to have a joint project with my cousins. It’s a lot of fun.”
“I can tell.”
I started organizing these the same year the company made the Forbes 500 list. It was a way of giving back, of supporting those who hadn’t had my opportunities and my luck.
I’d known what it was to fall from the top. To have everything and then almost nothing. Those hard years had changed my view of the world.
“Everything okay? You’ve been quieter than usual,” Josie said.
“Just... thinking about my speech.”
That wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the whole truth either. My dad’s birthday was today, always a day when I could barely keep all my emotions in check. She clasped her fingers with mine. My heart rate sped up. It was a small gesture, but it was as if she knew it would calm me down. As if she felt I needed it. All my cousins were at the venue, at the organizers’ table.
“Come on, the raffle will begin right after your speech,” Tess said.