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Jenny chose the gold-lamé dress for the rehearsal dinner. It was short and showcased her unforgettable legs. I wondered if we could manage sex in the elevator on the way down, but I forced myself to behave. If the Windsor sisters caught us doingthat, I might actually get evicted.
Il Pastorne was one of the fanciest restaurants in Boston. It was a short walk from the Liberty, although with Jenny’s spiked heels, it still took us a few minutes to get there. She letout a whistle when we reached the building. It was white, old-fashioned, and proper, much like the Prestons themselves.
“This is even fancier than the last place!” She blinked up at the white-stone facade.
“It’s stupid-fancy, but the food’sah-mazing.” I preferred a more casual atmosphere, like Alfonso’s, but even I had to admit that the food at Il Pastorne was second to none. “You’ll love it.”
“Just don’t order me any of that grilled octopus stuff, Coley,” she warned. “Or you won’t be getting any action tonight!”
I laughed. “I don’t know if I can handle any more action tonight,” I admitted. We’d had sex in the showeragainwhen we returned to the penthouse that afternoon. “But I promise I won’t order octopus.”
“Good thing, baby.” She positioned herself at my side as we prepared to enter the restaurant.
“You look beautiful, Jenny. That dress is the bomb.”
She smiled up at me and tossed her hair. “I have a very special billionaire to thank for it. Now stop lookin’ at me like that, or we’ll get arrested for indecent exposure or something.”
We headed inside, and I took a deep breath. Il Pastorne’s interior was gorgeous, pristine, and formal, with crystal chandeliers, soaring ceilings, and white tablecloths. Jenny looked impressed with the surroundings, ogling all the crystal and tuxedoed waitstaff. I felt like I was seeing the restaurant for the first time through her eyes. It made me appreciate it more.
Still, part of me wanted to throw her over my shoulder, carry her back to the penthouse, lay in bed, and watch New England Sports Network till we fell asleep. James and I had been friends forever, but his family was not my favorite. His brother Todd was okay. But his father was uptight, silent, and vaguely disapproving, and his mother was an absolute stone-cold bitch. Celia Preston liked me and approved of my friendship with James, but that’s because I had a trust fund and a pedigree. Myfather belonged to the country club and had a second home on Nantucket; the Bryson family was of use to Celia Preston. We passed the test.
Audrey had nothing to offer them—no connections, fortune, or fabulous second home that could be borrowed to host a fundraising gala. Celia wouldneverapprove of her. And if she found out she was a professional escort? She’d absolutely lose her shit.
I glanced at Jenny, wondering for the first time what my father would think of the fact that I’d hired an escort.Who cares?I didn’t, but I also had a feeling he would be angry. Nothing was more important than his name, his business, his legacy.
Good thing what I did was none of his business.
“There they are.” Jenny pointed at James and Audrey.
They were both dressed up and looked great. It did not escape my notice that they also looked every inch a real couple.
“Dre!” Jenny whooped, racing to give Audrey a jiggly hug. “This place is frickin’ amazing!”
Audrey smiled at her, but the smile seemed laced with worry. “It’s gorgeous. Just like you—you’re looking really good, Jenny.”
Jenny tossed her curls and modeled her gold-lamé dress. “Coley bought it for me.”
“Coley?” James asked, raising his eyebrows at me. “For real?”
I punched him on the shoulder. “For real, bro. So shut up.”
James dragged me to the long table where his entire family was seated, along with Evie’s family, all sorts of cousins, and friends. James’s father sat at the head of the table, resplendent in a custom-made suit. Celia Preston sat beside him, eyeing the guests over her martini. In particular, her gaze returned repeatedly to Audrey.
I wasn’t the only one who’d noticed they looked like a real couple.
James sat Audrey with Jenny and me at one end of the table. He joined Todd and Evie, who looked happy and excited. James grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and raised it.
“I’d like to make a toast,” he said. All eyes turned to him except for Celia Preston, who was now watching Audrey and Jenny with a thinly veiled look of distaste on her face. But Audrey was watching James, a smile on her face that looked real. She nodded at him in encouragement.
“My baby brother is all grown up,” James said, patting Todd on the shoulder. “And I’m happy to announce he’s marrying the woman that he loves. Evie, I know that you love my brother. I do. Seeing you two together for the past week has been inspiring. I expect good things for you in the future.”
Celia Preston tore her gaze away from the girls and watched her older son. She looked shocked—James was rarely so cheerful. She was probably waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“So I’d like to toast the happy couple. Cheers to your wedding tomorrow and for a lifetime of happiness to follow.” Everyone cheered, and James leaned down to Todd and whispered something. They both looked like they were tearing up.
What planet was I on? James Preston was not an emotional guy.
But whatever he said must’ve got the happy couple going—Todd and Evie started making out at the table. Celia Preston almost spit out her martini.