Page 61 of Surrender

He ran his gaze from my freshly cut hair to my loafers and murmured, “You look so damn sexy. I want to tear that suit off and lick every inch of your body.”

I smiled at him as my phone beeped. “Hold that thought.” I glanced at the screen and said, “The photographer just arrived. We need to get downstairs.”

“Okay, but raincheck on ripping your clothes off. Do I look okay?”

Did he really have to ask? He was wearing a royal blue suit that fit him like a glove, along with a crisp white shirt that was open at the collar, and he was unbelievably sexy. “You’re perfect, Ever. My god. I’m stripping you naked as soon as we get back up here, but no one’s ripping these suits. They’re way too nice for that.”

He took my hand and pretended to be exasperated. “Fine. No ripping.”

On our way out, we both called goodbye to the cat, and I promised, “We’ll be home soon, Phil.”

As soon as we got downstairs, we were pulled in opposite directions. The caterers wanted me to sign off on the way they’d set up the drinks and the first round of finger foods, the photographer Ever had hired to document the event wanted guidance on what shots to take, and the DJ and event staff needed last-minute instructions.

Before I knew it, it was time to start the party. I opened the double doors at the front of the building, and the pair of ticket takers we’d hired took their positions. When I spotted Vee and the rest of the Pink Victorian crew out on the sidewalk, I signaled for them to bypass check-in and come inside. “Wow, this is so fancy,” Embry gushed, his blue eyes wide as he took it all in.

“And look at you, Mr. Sexy-pants,” Vee said, as he gave me a back-slapping hug. “This new, posh lifestyle suits you.”

“Damn,” Yolanda murmured. She and her wife were dressed to the nines in sparkly red dresses, and they both looked incredible. “How is this a gym? It feels like a high-end hotel.”

“It’s incredible,” JoJo agreed. “It’s a bummer though, because we went online to try to buy memberships, but it said they were sold out.”

“Vee was supposed to tell you not to spend your money,” I said. “All seven of you are family. That means you’re permanently on the VIP guest list and can work out here any time you want.”

Hal, the fitness nut of the group, perked up at that. “Really?”

“Yup, starting tomorrow. This weekend is just for friends and family. Ever’s calling it a soft opening. Then the grand opening is Monday. It’s probably going to be crowded, but Ever capped the number of memberships to make sure it wouldn’t run over capacity.”

Lark and Dylan thanked us, and Embry beamed at me and exclaimed, “I feel so special!”

“You are.” I gestured at the reception counter. “Come on in, and be sure to grab a gift bag. Then help yourselves to some drinks and appetizers and look around. I see some more VIPs out front, so I’m going to go say hello. But I’ll come find you soon.”

Vee slapped my back on the way by and leaned in to tell me, “You’re killing this host thing, my friend. I’m proud of you.” That was nice to hear.

My second group of VIPs was just as special as the first. I went outside and greeted the kids from the shelter with, “Hey, gang! I’m so glad you made it!”

All but three of the residents had arrived in a group, and their expressions ranged from excited to nervous. “Thanks for invitingus, and for sending the ride shares. We wanted to come out and support you and Ever,” Leah, a twenty-year-old with pink hair, said. “But like, we were expecting a party in a gym. This is super fancy.”

Shy, eighteen-year-old Joaquin muttered, “I’m not sure we belong here.”

“Of course you do,” I told him. “You’re as good as anybody here. Better, even. And tonight, you’re our VIP guests. That means you’re the most important people at this party. Now come with me, because Ever and I have some gifts for you.” That enticed even the shiest among them to follow me into the lobby.

I stepped behind the reception desk and started pulling out gift bags with each resident’s first name on them. As I passed the bags around, I said, “Each of these contains an EverFit T-shirt and sweatshirt in your size, along with a gold-level lifetime membership card with your name on it. Can I give you the bags for our friends who didn’t make it?”

Leah nodded. “I’ll make sure they get them.”

“Thanks. Be sure to take one of the blue bags, too. They contain some fun swag, like water bottles and baseball caps.”

The kids eagerly collected a second set of gift bags, and I asked, “Are you hungry? There are plenty of snacks and nonalcoholic drinks. I’ve heard good things about the gazpacho shooters.”

Joaquin frowned and said, “I have no idea what that is.”

“Me neither,” I said with a smile, as I offered him my arm. “Want to go find out together?” He grinned and linked his arm with mine, and we headed into the party.

Ever joined us a moment later and exclaimed, “I’m so glad you’re here! Looks like Tracy got you hooked up with your swag.”

Several of the kids thanked him, and then one of them exclaimed, “Look at the tiny, pretty food!”

Ever and I both grinned as all of them hurried to the lavish display of fancy appetizers. Then River came up to us and asked, “How does everything look?”

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