Chapter Twenty-Five

Alexa stood with her parents in front of the foyer outside the closed doors of the hotel’s second floor grand ballroom, where NorthStar’s gala was about to kick off.

Soon, the master of ceremonies would begin the celebration with an intro about her father and the history of the company. Then, she and her parents would enter the room and walk through a sea of applauding NorthStar employees.

Her mom, the picture of elegance in a pale pink cocktail dress, frowned up at Alexa’s dad. “I can’t believe they ditched us at the last minute.”

They being Brad’s parents.

“It wasn’t last minute. Evan and I had a long talk yesterday about a lot of things. He and I are back on track, but he has things to take care of outside of the company.” Alexa’s father endured her mother brushing nonexistent lint from the lapel of his black tuxedo jacket. Again. “It’s nothing for you to get excited about. Remember what your doctor said about moderating stress?”

“I’m not stressed. I’m just making a point. If the tables were turned, we would have gotten an earful.” Her mom pursed her lips. “Remember their New Year’s party two years ago? You would have thought we jeopardized world peace because we wouldn’t drive through a snowstorm to get there.”

“It’s not the same.” Alexa’s father sighed. “They’ve got a lot to work out with Brad.”

He’d made the announcement to his parents about Karma Sunflower’s pregnancy and his intention to marry her and raise their child. Apparently, his parents hadn’t taken it well.

“I can’t believe Gemma is going to be a grandmother.” Alexa’s mom shook her head. “Now I’ll be expected to sponsor the baby shower of the year, and I’m sure Gemma will need my help to secure a spot in that preschool in Maryland everyone’s dying to get their children into.”

Alexa couldn’t hold back her surprise at her mom’s generosity. Even though she was over Brad, and her father was making progress in his partnership with Evan, she’d anticipated it would take a while longer for her mom to repair her friendship with Brad’s mom. “So you’ve decided to make up with Gemma?”

“Reconciling is the best way to end the gossip and all the drama with it, but don’t get me wrong.” Alexa’s mom held up her hand, making a clarification. “It will take some time for me to have a civil conversation with Brad and Apple Flake, but I’ll try to get there.”

Alexa refrained from correcting Karma’s name. At least her mother was embracing her compassionate side. Did her generosity have anything to do with her own similar past as an outsider marrying into a different world?

As if she’d heard her question, Alexa’s mom smiled at her. “The good thing is, we can all have a fresh start when given the chance.”

“Yes, we can.” Alexa’s father cleared his throat. “Your mother and I were talking last night. We’d like to meet Rafe. Why don’t you bring him by the house for dinner this coming weekend?”

“I can’t.” An overwhelming sadness tightened in Alexa’s chest. She adjusted the gold necklace in the V-neckline of her black party dress. “He broke up with me.”

“Oh.” Her father’s expression grew troubled. “Are you sure you two can’t work out your differences?”

“It can’t be fixed.”

“I’m not so sure of that.” Her mom smiled as if she were up to something. “I agree with your father. I think inviting him to join us for dinner would be a nice touch.”

Nope. Time to squash any clandestine plans her mom had in the works. “Mom, I’m an adult. This is my life, so please stay out of it. Breakups happen. My relationship with Rafe is over.”

“Okay.” Her mom offered up an innocent shrug. “But I think he might have something to say about that.” She focused behind Alexa.

Prickles danced over Alexa’s nape. She looked over her shoulder.

Rafe stood on the edge of the foyer, a gorgeous mirage in a black evening suit and ice blue tie. He strode over to her and her parents. “Mr. and Mrs. Cayne, I’m Rafe Dumond.” He shook hands with her mom and dad. “I know my timing is off, but may I borrow your daughter for a moment?”

I’m not dreaming. Alexa’s pounding heart echoed in her ears. Rafe had shown up. He was really there, holding her hand.

Her mom raised a brow. “I don’t know if that’s possible. She was pretty adamant about you two no lon—”

“Go right ahead.” Her father shot her mother an admonishing look. “We have a few minutes.”

Rafe gave him a brisk nod. “Thank you.” He led Alexa to a secluded corner.

She released the words stuck in her throat. “What are you doing here?”

“You have every right to send me away, but before you do, I hope you’ll listen to what I have to say.” He grasped her hands tighter. “What I told you about it being over between us. It isn’t. At least, I don’t want it to be.”

“Then why did you walk out? Why have you been avoiding me?”

His gaze dropped to their interlinked fingers, then moved back up to meet hers. “I thought you were back with Brad.”

“So instead of giving me a chance to tell you I’d never go back to him, you made it easy on yourself by shoving me out of your life?” Hurt and irritation hummed through her. “After everything he’d done to me, after what we’d shared together, why would you ever think I wanted him over you?”

Rafe visibly swallowed. “I let my past fuck with my mind. Growing up, I felt like the junk my father collected. Something he didn’t want.” He closed his eyes for a moment. “Eden leaving me the way she did tapped into that. The thought of losing you hurt even more. So yeah, pushing you away seemed easier, but it’s not.”

She let him pull her close. His warmth and wonderful familiar scent tempted her to touch him, but she resisted.

“Alexa, you deserve the life of a princess, and I can’t give you that. At least, not yet.” Intensity filled his green-eyed gaze. “I love you, and no one wants to care for you, or see you happy, more than I do. Please—will you give me another chance?”

A chance. Maybe even a lifetime, if he played his cards right. Hope and happiness swelled in her chest. “What did I tell you about that princess thing? That’s not me. I don’t want things. I just want you.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you, too.”

“You love me?” He grinned.

“Yes, I do. Now shut up and kiss me.”

He planted his lips on hers.

Sweetness. Love. Joy. Desire. She couldn’t imagine experiencing those things with anyone but him.

The kiss ended too soon, but Rafe holding her made up for it.

Her mother and father gave each other proud, knowing smiles as if they’d orchestrated the entire happy situation.

Alexa couldn’t contain her own smile as she clasped Rafe’s hand. “Come on. It’s almost show time.” She pulled him toward her parents stationed at the closed double doors of the ballroom.

“Hold on a sec.” He tugged her back. “What’s going on?”

“The gala. At the moment, everyone is hearing about the history of the company. Once it finishes, the master of ceremonies will introduce us, the doors will open, and we’ll all walk in and take a seat at the head table.”

“You don’t want me up there.” Skepticism filled his expression. “I can sit somewhere else.”

“Yeah, like that’s gonna happen. You’re next to Mom. Be prepared.”

A relenting expression took over his face. “Gee. Thanks. No pressure.”

He’d confidently taken his clothes off in front of thousands of women for over five years, and now he was nervous? On the other hand, her mom played the zillion question, find-out-all-your-business game like no one else could. Yeah, he was in trouble.

Alexa barely contained a smirk.

“Uh-oh, what’s that smile about? Should I be worried?”

She smoothed his tie, using it as an excuse to lean on his muscular chest and breathe him in. This gorgeous, wonderful man was all hers. “Maybe just a little. The good news is, you’ll get a very nice reward later on.”

“I will?” His brow raised as he rested his hands on her waist. “What kind?”

She kissed him, smiling against his lips. “One that involves you out of that suit and me wearing only your favorite hat.”