Page 135 of Sassy Love
“Come on, let’s find some people.”
We find Reed and Ruby first, and Carlie all but flies into Ruby’s arms.
“Hey, you like our extra little touches?” Reed says, beaming like it was his idea.
“Yes, I do, very much.” Carlie smiles at him.
Ruby slaps his shoulder. “He says our, but it was all Lawson’s idea.”
She turns to me, her mouth agape. “What did you do?”
“Just added a few details. Nothing much.” I grin at her, and she narrows her eyes.
Smart woman.
Mum’s the word on the new activities on the agenda for tonight. Who am I to spoil the biggest PR event of her career?
“Ladies and gentlemen, if you would kindly take your seats, the entrée will be served momentarily,” the emcee—one of New York’s bravest—says. Miles meets my gaze. He’s one hell of a showman when he wants to be something other than a broody motherfucker trying to keep us in line. Tonight is about raising money for Serenity, a cause he is one hundred percent behind.
“Oh! Miles.” Carlie leans in as we wander the room to find our table. “You didn’t tell me Miles was the emcee; I thought it would be someone at the office. I like this much better.”
I’m hoping the guests here tonight do, too, and dig deep for our charming firefighter as he hosts the night. Millie sits with my parents as we file in and find our seats. Mack and Grace arrive next, Gracie as radiant as ever and almost due to give birth. I’m surprised that brother of mine let her venture this far from home. Hudson, Addy, and Hattie take their seats next as Reed and Ruby fill the last two at our table.
The gang’s all here.
My family.
Our family.
And it feels fucking right.
Ma is deep in conversation with Millie as the food comes around. I saw my parents at their hotel earlier when Reed and Rubes finished the prep and went back. I spent over an hour catching up on things back home, but all anyone wanted to talk about was Carlie.
In true Rawlins fashion, my brothers saluted like idiots every time someone said her name.
Only to earn eye rolls from me and knowing looks from Gracie.
From our table, I spot the work crew at a table headed by Serelle and who I assume is her husband. The rest of the tablesare packed with New York’s most wealthy, chatting away like this is an everyday thing for them. Hell, it probably is.
“Uncle Lawson?” Hattie tugs at my sleeve.
“Hey, sweetie, what’s up?”
She leans closer, her little face screwed up as she darts her gaze around the table. “Why is there so many forks?”
The scrunched-up expression on her face makes me chuckle, and I tamp it back before saying, “One’s for eating, the rest are for slingshots.”
“Ooooh, okay. Thanks.”
“Laws, you did not just tell her that,” Addy says, shaking her head, but the smile that claims her face is priceless. Hudson leans back, his arm wrapped around the back of Addy’s chair, his gaze full of adoration as he watches his small daughter pick up each fork and inspect it.
As the food rolls out and the band starts up, the story of Serenity House and the impact it has had on the folks of New York tumbles from Miles’s mouth. He has the entire room enraptured by the time he comes to the part that’s had my stomach in knots for weeks. Asking for donations to keep the House up and running. To add to our impact, service, and facilities.
Carlie grabs my thigh under the table. Her grip is so tight, I resist the urge to flinch. Instead, I slide my hand under hers and lace our fingers together, leaning into her. “Breathe, Princess. We did everything we could. People will put their money where their mouth is, you’ll see.”
I sound more confident than I feel.
As Miles announces donations will be accepted at the table by the door and online, I feel Carlie’s pulse kick up where her wrist is pressed to mine.
