Page 111 of You Make Me Feel
And tomorrow? Well, that’s when the shit hits the fan.
SADIE
“I’m going to need a moment,” Romy says, fanning her face as she looks out of the window at Asher’s security team pacing the sidewalk. “This is like every fantasy I’ve ever had come true, all at once. Protective heroes, security team, maybe a dash of why choose?” She sighs, turning to look at me. “You think we can persuade Asher to leave his team here permanently just for my entertainment?”
We’re in my apartment, getting ready for the gala. I have about five messages from Zach who wants to know what’s taking me so long and why I’m not at the hotel yet, but seriously, for a girl who missed her prom, getting glammed up with a friend while we drink champagne is kind of a rite of passage.
The bedroom smells of shower gel and perfume, mixed with the desserts that Romy brought up from Mylene’s coffee shop. I’m in my lingerie, my hair up, leaning forward to do my makeup while Romy is supposed to be curling her hair.
But she’s too busy making eyes at one of the security guards right now.
Before I can remind her that Zach’s car is already waiting outside for us – and has been for twenty minutes – she lets out a low whistle.
“Actually, scratch that,” she says, leaning so close to the glass her nose is pressed against it. “I now have a mountain man in a suit kink. Surely it has to be illegal to look that good.”
Sighing, I put my lipstick down and walk over to join her. There’s a man walking up from the dock, and Romy’s right, from this angle he looks more mountain than human.He has to be at least six foot four, if not more, and his shoulders are so big he must’ve had that tux custom made.
“Who is he?” Romy murmurs.
I take in his thick wavy hair, the grumpy expression on his face, and I immediately know who it is.
“Wyatt Fitzgerald,” I say, already feeling the buzz of nerves in my chest. “Zach’s brother.” I’ve seen his photo in Zach’s apartment after all. Though he was wearing a pair of jeans and a checkered shirt, at the helm of a boat.
Romy twists to look at me, eyes wide. “That’s Wyatt? The elusive, never-on-the-island brother?”
“The one and only,” I say, trying not to grin at the way she’s almost salivating.
“He looks like a Bond villain,” she mutters, then sighs again. “But, like, in a way where you’d let him tie you to a chair and hope your ransom is never paid.”
“Whatever floats your boat,” I quip, then I laugh. “Actually, he floats boats. That’s his job.”
“He does?” Romy puts her hand on her chest.
“Yep. Has his own charter company down south somewhere.” I vaguely remember Zach mentioning they were trying to get him to expand his company to Liberty.
“Well that man can scrub my decks any time,” Romy declares.
“Okay, stop talking,” I say, laughing despite the butterflies in my stomach. “I need to finish my eyeliner and we have to go.”
My phone buzzes.
The driver is still outside. Message me when you’re in the car. – Zach
I roll my eyes.
He’s been like this all day. While Liberty Island’s Main Street has turned into an open-air gallery where people have wandered from one window display to the next, Zach’s been constantly messaging.
Not that I hate it. Today has been great. The whole island’s been buzzing. The gallery was packed from noon until closing, the shop overrun with tourists and collectors. I think I’ve made more money today than I did for the last month.
Now, as I slip on my heels and give my dress one last tug, my phone lights up again.
Please get in the car or I’ll come over and carry you to the damn hotel. – Zach
“Is he always this bossy?” Romy asks, glancing over my shoulder.
I wrinkle my nose. “Kind of, but he’s on a whole new level today.”
“Well let’s go. I just saw Steroid James Bond get into a car. I don’t want to loose him too long among the desperate ladies of Liberty,” Romy says.
