Page 89 of Untethered Heart
“Lex,” he whispers my name, stricken with awe. “I didn’t think it was possible for you to look any more beautiful.”
“Thank you, Honey. And thank you for buying my dress and treating us at the salon. I had fun today.”
“Anything for you, Siren.” He smiles and places the barest kiss on my lips.
“Yes, thank you, big brother.” Beth raises a glass of champagne to Caleb.
My eyes survey the room, trying to find a waiter nearby for my own drink. I want to have something in my hands before I officially meet more of Caleb’s family as his girlfriend.
“I know, I too look amazing,” says Beth. “Sorry we took so long. We ran into James and Jackson in the foyer. Tenley and Isabelle should be here soon as well.”
“Isabelle?” Gage asks. He has a glass halfway to his lips that must have missed its destination. He wipes at his bottom lip and the part of his chest that’s exposed.
“Yeah. She was my plus one.” Beth is smirking behind her champagne flute. When she catches my eye, she winks.
“And you left her talking to the High Rollers?” He leans in, glowering at his sister, then pushes back from the table with fury.
“What’s it to you?” she sasses with delight.
“She—” He goes to point past Beth’s shoulder, but freezes, eyes laser-focused behind us. We all follow his line of sight and watch as Isabelle floats into the room beside Tenley.
Her normally tight coils of golden curls have been stretched into big, elegant waves hanging over one shoulder and falling to her waist. Dainty straps sit on her shoulders, dipping into a deep V neckline. As she moves under the light, every speck of her emerald gown reflects off the sequins that cover the fabric.
“Iz. Tenley. You ladies both look lovely,” Caleb says, and he pulls me into his side, tucking me under his arm.
“Thank you, OG. You look very dapper. Love the red.”
All four of us girls chuckle as Caleb runs a satisfied hand down his suit jacket, which is deep maroon with a black baroque pattern and black silk lapels.
“Me too.” I smile up at him.
“Thank you, baby,” he says, smiling against my lips.
“Gage? Don’t you have anything nice to say, too?” Beth asks.
His eyes are still locked on Isabelle. I don’t think he’s even of this world anymore. He’s entirely in hers.
“You’re breathtaking,” Gage says in a daze.
“Let me at her! Where is she?”
“There, in the gold!”
Excited voices break through the crowd andshit, I haven’t had enough alcohol to calm my nerves as Hazel and Matilda Heart come barrelling through. I’ve met them before, but that was nothing more than pleasantries exchanged in the name of business. This is so not that.
Hazel’s rose gold hair doesn’t move out of its perfect place, and she commands the attention of every person she passes. Her arms are outstretched as she closes in on us. Caleb must feel as I tense up, and he leans down to whisper in my ear.
“Relax. They love you already.”
I feel sick.
“Lex,” Caleb’s grandmother says with a proud smile.
Caleb turns me around with a hand on my lower back, encouraging me into his grandmother’s open arms. She envelops me in a hug that’s warm and smells of soft florals, like freesias or violets.
Over her shoulder, Caleb’s mother clutches her hands against her chest with a dreamy look in her eyes. What on Earth has Caleb been saying about me that warrants such a reaction?
“We are so happy you’re here.” Hazel beams, pulling out of our hug to meet my eyes. “Forgive me, darling, this is the first meet-the-girlfriend encounter we’ve had.”
