Page 97 of House of Scarlett
“Harlow can bitch all she wants, but she’s too cheap to pay you what I do.”
Kelsey nods. “Damn straight. And we all know Mama’s got bills to pay. Now, when is lover boy showing up?”
I check the time on my phone. “In fifteen minutes. Shit. We’d better hurry.”
I pop out of the chair and walk into the bedroom, where my gown is hanging from a hook in the corner. The shimmering azure-blue silk corset top is exceptionally flattering and forgiving—and my favorite part about the dress. Although, it’s a close one, because the skirt’s simple lines are elegantly accentuated by a slit to mid-thigh. It’s a bright color, but Meryl’s events always eschew the traditional black for women. She says color reminds everyone that the charity supports children, and black is too boring.
And ... this gown is the color of my date’s eyes, which made it an easy decision.
Once the dress is securely fastened and my jewelry is in place, I slip on my heels and step in front of the full-length mirror on the back of my bedroom door.
“You think it’ll do?”
Kelsey laughs from behind me. “Girl, if this were a fairy tale, Prince Charming wouldn’t even notice Cinderella because he’d be too busy staring at you.”
The intercom buzzes in the kitchen, and I smile. “He’s here.”
“I’ll go let him up. You stay. I want to see his face when he sees you.”
I back away from the mirror so she can slip out the bedroom door. As soon as I hear Gabriel’s voice, I take a deep breath and step out of the room, smoothing my hands over my cinched waist.
“Holy shit,” Gabriel whispers when he sees me. He stares for a long moment before coming forward, which gives me time to appreciate the clean lines of his tux.
“You look amazing, bossy.”
He doesn’t say anything about my nickname attempt, which is fine by me because his smile could light up Manhattan. “You look incredible. Holy fuck.” He shakes his head and glances at Kelsey, and then back to me. “Goddamn, woman. You’re stunning.”
I step toward him. “I would kiss you for that, but Kelsey would kill me.”
“Shit, that reminds me, you need your clutch. Let me grab it and slip your lippy, mirror, and powder in it. Then you kids can be off to the gala.”
Kelsey rushes back into the bedroom, and Gabriel closes the distance between us. He raises a hand into the air near my face and traces the line of my jaw with the back of his fingers without actually touching me. “You look too fine for these hands of mine to even dream of touching you.”
“Well, your hands better get over that, because I expect you to touch mea lottonight.”
A wicked gleam forms in his dazzling sapphire eyes. “I’ll hold you to that.”
A few minutes later, we take the elevator down from the fourth floor, through Curated, so I don’t have to walk down all the stairs in my four-inch heels. When we reach the black Escalade out front with a uniformed driver standing at the back door, I shoot a look at Gabriel.
“What’s all this?”
“Your new driver and security.” He stops in front of the man. “Scarlett, this is Eddie O’Halloran. Hal, this is Scarlett.”
“Good to meet ya, ma’am,” he says with an Irish lilt. “You can call me Eddie or Hal. I’ll answer to either.”
I shake his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Hal. Thank you.”
“Nah, the pleasure’s all mine. Gabe here has done me plenty of favors, and I was happy for the chance to return one. Nothing will happen to you with me around, Ms. Priest. I promise you that.”
Sixty
Legend
As soon aswe pull up to the red-carpeted stairs, I know I’m out of my element, despite the fancy tux I’m wearing and the beautiful woman on my arm.
Hal hops out of the SUV to open the door, and I climb out first, offering my hand to Scarlett. Cameras flash all around us as she steps out of the Escalade.
Her smile is as perfect as the rest of her, and she knows exactly how to handle the photographers. I take her lead and do what she does, pausing here and there for them to take more pictures of us than I thought were humanly possible.
