Page 119

“Your Mum seems to think seeing some of the kids will have the donors dig a little deeper into their pockets, as they get a taste of what they are supporting. Her words, not mine. What if it all goes horribly wrong?”

“It won’t,” I tell her. “I know how hard you and Scarlett have worked with the kids. You’ve enjoyed choreographing and practising with the teenagers. Not to mention the younger children. Plus, it’s time mum shook it up. She’s been complaining for years, she’s bored with it always being aband. She wants a flash mob and you’re giving her that. You’re her hero. With the older kids acting as waiters, she’s got it all figured out. Don’t worry. You’ve got this.”

“No pressure then!” April says making me chuckle as I pull her closer.

CHAPTER 51

APRIL

Caleb and I arrive at his ancestral home early on Saturday morning. Today is for the family, and according to Caleb, I now fall into this category. He’s determined to throw me in at the deep end, which involves a family dinner with his mother and siblings.

I know Gabriel and Leah and, of course, the gorgeous Callum. I have yet to meet Harper, his youngest sister, although I know her by reputation. Her press coverage and social media accounts outweigh the rest of the Frazer clan put together. Caleb has warned me about Elijah. His older brother can, by all accounts, be prickly, but I’m not to take it to heart.

His older sister, Kat, is known in the press as The Ice Queen. Ruthless in business and the boardroom. If she were a man, she’d be praised for her business acumen, instead, she’s made out to be a cold, hard-nosed bitch.

According to Caleb, Jaxson is back in the country, so the big question is whether he will attend. I’m fascinated to meet the woman who has Jaxson Lockwood’s jaw tensing at themention of her name. The woman who has made her way to the top in a very male-dominated world.

I know Caleb’s Playboy Posse will be in attendance. They’ve promised to look out for me if Caleb gets distracted. Caleb growled, and I meanreallygrowled at his friends, causing them to fall about in raucous laughter. Not that it deterred Xander, Tristan, or Quentin. It only spurred them on. Only Marcus seemed to take pity on him.

“Hey.”

Arms wrap around my waist from behind. I turn my head away from the window where I’ve been staring out at the vast gardens below. A team of people are erecting the marquee that will host the party guests. It seems like they’ve taken control of the entire downstairs as well. It’s an all-out event with two hundred of the wealthiest citizens alongside beneficiaries of the charity. The success stories.

“You, okay? You’ve been quiet since we got here,” he says.

I give him a weak smile. “Just feeling a little overwhelmed. I should be with Scarlett prepping the last-minute bits and pieces.”

“No, you should be here with me. Scarlett is more than capable. It’s what she does.” He turns me to face him, his finger lifting my chin. “What’s really wrong?”

I drop my head forward. My insecurities are my problem, not his. It’s not fair to put this on him. Caleb adds pressure to his finger, making me look at him.

“My family is going to love you. My mum already does. As do Gabriel and Leah. Stop letting your thoughts overwhelm you.”

I drown in his eyes. The sincerity is real, and I know this is on me.

“I know,” I say. “It’s just…”

I shake my head. I don’t know how to articulate how out of my depth I feel.

“I’ve got you, and I’m not going anywhere. The guys and my family will also be here. You don’t have to worry about anything. We’ll be laughing about your nerves on Monday when everything has gone perfectly, I promise.”

He drops a kiss on my nose, pulling me hard against his body, and I sink into him, allowing myself to absorb his strength. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve this man, and I desperately want to tell him I love him. I know he wants to hear those words, but I can’t, not until he knows the truth.

“Come on,” I say, taking his hand in mine before inhaling deeply. “I’m ready to face the lion’s den—and I promise to be on my best behaviour.”

“Oh, please don’t. You’ll make me look bad. I’m never on my best behaviour.”

I’m chuckling as we leave the room, a strong arm wrapped around my shoulder.

The house is enormous.Its sweeping wooden staircase is like something out ofGone with the Wind. The hallway hosts an enormous fireplace with stone flooring. Everything seems super-sized. Caleb spends the time telling me all his favourite hiding places. I can imagine this was a child’s paradise. I’m sure Francesca had a nightmare trying to keep track of her children. Caleb told me their mother raised them. There were no nannies, although they did have a houseful of staff to take the pressure off.

I envy Cal's childhood. It’s clear it was filled with love and family. The fact Francesca and his late father, Robert, opened their home every holiday to their friends, tells me the type of home this was. Loving and inviting. I only hope they’re as welcoming of me.

“April,” Francesca says, rising to her feet as soon as we enter the room. She makes her way over to us, pulling me into a hug before she even acknowledges Caleb. He grunts but laughs.

“Charming, mother, my girlfriend gets the first hug,” he says as his mother turns to him, tuts, and pulls him into a bear hug. My heart stutters at his words and I wonder if I’ll ever get used to hearing it.

“You always were so needy,” she says, laughing and patting his cheek, pulling him in for a another hug.