Page 77 of Waiting for Acceptance
“Before…” I push off the railing, hardly believing my own eyes when I seeher.
My little troublemaker.
She looks fucking breathtaking in a floor-length black gown with a slit running dangerously high up her thigh. Her hair is pulled back with a few pieces hanging down in the front. There’s only one long sleeve, the other arm completely exposed and she looks so beautiful I wish I could stare at her forever.
“Excuse me,” I mumble to Jessica, pushing past her to rush down the stairs and get to my girl. I get stopped for a few handshakes andhelloson my way to her and I suddenly wish my family didn’t know so many people. When I finally see her from behind I smile, despite the fact that she’s talking to Nico Henderson again. I walk up behind her and slide my hands around her hips, feeling a sting when she slaps them. She spins around with a scowl on her face that quickly morphs into the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen.
“Fitz!” she exclaims. Then she does something that fucking breaks me and puts me back together all at once. She throws her arms around my neck, kisses my cheek, and whispers,‘Happy birthday’in my ear.My arms tighten around her and my eyes fall closed, feeling the sting of tears trying to form. Nico disappeared into the crowd at some point, leaving the two of us alone.
“Thanks, Trouble.” When we finally separate, I get the chance to fully take her in. She looks even better up close. “What are you doing here? I thought you were training Heather this week?”
“I wasn’t going to miss seeing you on your birthday, Fitz. They can live one day without me.” She shrugs, smirking at me. There’s a twinkle in her eye tonight that I’m not sure I’ve ever seen before. She looks like she’s up to something and I’m more than curious to know what it is. “Oh, excuse me. Could you take a photo for us please?” She stops the same photographer from earlier, handing him her phone from her clutch. He gives her a confused look, probably wondering why she’s handing a guy with a camera worth thousands in his hands, aphone. “I’m sure yours is better, but do you mind?” He lets out a low laugh and agrees, backing up and angling the phone. She looks up at me, and I smile, taking the lead by wrapping one arm around her waist and holding her hand with my other.
“There you go.” The photographer hands her the phone back and gives me a curious look. Then he shakes his head and walks away.
Weird.
“This is some party, huh?” Lauren looks around the room, prompting me to do the same.
“Yep.”
“It’s a shame they covered up so much of the natural beauty of this place. I feel like maybe they chose the wrong venue for this particular party.” I look at her in awe because she just fucking gets it. “Sorry! That was probably so rude.” Her hand flies to her mouth and her eyes widen, making me smirk.
“I couldn’t agree more. So, what were you and Nico discussing?” I nod in the direction he went.
“Well we hadn’t been talking long, but he did ask me if The Fitzgerald Firm was looking for any brokers to work with.”
“What did you tell him?”
“Nothing. You came up right after he asked so I didn’t get the chance to say anything.”
“Hmm… Go tell him that we are and to send his resume to you.” Her eyes pop and she looks around nervously.
“Tome?I can’t do that. I don’t even work for The Fitzgerald Firm.”
“No, but you’re dating the soon-to-be owner, and I trust your judgment.”
“You do?”
I nod and scan the room, seeing Nico by the open bar upstairs. “He’s at the bar. Go grab yourself a drink.Onedrink, and let him know.”
“Why did you put emphasis on how many drinks I can get?” She glares at me and I raise a brow at her.
“Maybe I want to see if you’ll obey.” I watch her face closely as her eyes grow wild. I lean in closer, pressing my lips to her ear.“Because I’m taking you homesobertonight, Trouble. That’s why.” She tips her head up to look at me, grabbing the lapels of my tux.
“Correction,I’mtakingyouhome tonight, Fitzgerald.” She winks at me and I realize that’s the first time I haven’t minded her calling me by my last name. Simply because of the anticipation I feel from her words.
“Make it a quick conversation.” I practically growl in her ear, kissing her nose before she makes her way upstairs. I watch her as she goes, admiring the way that dress shows off every curve that I can’t wait to get my hands on later.
“I told you to come alone.” I turn around and see my mother looking at me in disapproval.
“Hello, Mother.”
“You couldn’t follow one simple instruction? I told you?—”
“You told me that we had a family matter to be discussed. Which, after speaking with Dad, I realized was a lie. And Ididcome alone. Not because you told me to, but because Lauren had to work this week and thought she couldn’t get away.”
She scoffs and folds her arms over her chest. “So then why is shehere?” I look up to the loft, seeing Lauren’s eyes land on mine at the same time. She smiles and winks at me, then goes back to chatting with Nico.
