Page 66 of Master of My Life

my way, sir.”

He patted the older woman gently on the cheek. “Wish me luck,” he said as he strode to the door.

“And enjoy your night off.”

“You don’t need luck, sir. You’re too good of a man.”

He glanced back at Mrs. Porter, who gave him a motherly smile, then hurried down to the street to

his mother’s town car. “Hey, Rafael.”

“Good evening, Mr. Ralston,” Rafael said, opening the door for him.

Chase kissed his mother as he sat down next to her in the back of the car.

“Excited?” Grace asked with a soft laugh.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for years.”

“I know.”

It was a short drive to the opera house but getting inside would take a while, as a long line of

black sedans and limos waited to drop off their passengers. The press loved the photo ops. Boston

had its fair share of celebrities and sports stars, but it was mostly politicians and local art patrons that

filled the opening-night seats of a ballet. Chase didn’t think the rest of the country cared that he and

his mother were attending.

It took as long to get to the drop-off point as it did to drive to the theater. Chase stepped out and

reached back to help his mother out of the car. He sighed at the sound of snapping cameras. They had

arrived right behind the quarterback of the New England Patriots, so it gave Chase a moment to

compose himself.

“Mr. Ralston! Chase!” a woman cried out, holding out her phone to record his answer. “Is it true

that you’ll be popping the big question tonight?”

Chase blinked. How did she know about that? He flashed a charming smile. “We’ll have to see,

won’t we?” The woman giggled and Chase chuckled.

He and his mother posed for a few photos and then headed inside. The lobby was blissfully quiet

compared to the noise of the press outside. Chase sighed and his shoulders relaxed. A server brought

over a tray of champagne and a woman in a red suit handed him and his mother each a thick brochure.

“The silent auction items are out now. Bidding will begin at intermission.” She gave a respectful

nod and walked away.

Chase flipped through the brochure as he and his mother walked toward the far side of the lobby

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