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They danced the night away, and for a little while, he forgot about his family troubles and everything that had happened. He let the music and these moments with friends take over, and he felt more alive than he had in a while.
“It’s almost time!” Adelia declared.
With less than a minute left until the new year, excitement buzzed through the crowd. Their little group gathered together and counted down.
“5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1. Happy New Year!” they all shouted as confetti rained down.
Adelia hugged Gus and gave him a friendly peck on the lips. Giovanni and Whitney made out on the dance floor. Adelia hugged Merritt. And then Merritt let go of her and turned around, and suddenly, she was facing Gus.
She looked up at him hesitantly. He wasn’t sure if he should hug her or not. They weren’t friends. They barely knew each other. But still, something inside him wanted to reach out to her.
Their gazes held for several awkward beats.
“Happy New Year,” he said.
“Happy New Year,” she replied.
There was confetti stuck to her eyelash and in her hair, and his fingers twitched with the urge to run his hand over her smooth shoulder-length hair and brush it away. But she turned and walked away, saving him from acting on his foolish instinct.
When they arrived home in the early morning hours, Gus retreated to the pool house. He glanced at the week’s accumulation of envelopes on the table by the door—junk mail, bills, and a few Christmas cards. He tossed a couple to the side to read later, then noticed a large cream-colored envelope with his name written in fancy calligraphy on the front. He knew before opening it what it was.
The pleasure of your company is requested at the marriage of Genevieve Anne Willis and Sebastian Kurtis Schultz on Friday, the twenty-first of February.
He continued reading, noting that they were getting married in Montana, where the two had been living for the past couple of months. Genevieve had taken a job there last summer and, once they were engaged, Sebastian couldn’t stand being apart from her, so he’d moved there too. His brother, always the romantic of the family.
He flopped down on the couch with the wedding invitation in hand and stared at it. He’d always admired his brother, even though he often felt like he was living in the shadow of Sebastian’s greatness. Sebastian had done everything right. He was perfect. The golden boy. He excelled in school, graduated with honors, started working at Schultz Chocolate right out of college. He had the complete adoration of their father and had moved into the position of president when Dad had decided to work less at the company. Then he met a girl, fell in love, proposed, and now they were weeks away from getting married.
Gus hadn’t done anything the “right” way. He’d barely gotten through college before moving to California and partying away his twenties. He’d worked off and on at Schultz over the years. Kept things casual with women. Never had a steady girlfriend. Never been in love. Sure as heck never proposed. Never even been close to marriage.
His brain stuttered to a halt on that thought. Marriage meant stability and commitment. It meant settling down and getting serious. And suddenly, Gus had an idea. A crazy idea, but possibly the most brilliant idea he’d ever had. His mind pieced together a plan, and he couldn’t wait to put it in motion.
SIX
Augustus Schultz is here to see you.”
Merritt wasn’t sure she’d heard her receptionist correctly. “Can you repeat that, Connie?”
“There’s an Augustus Schultz here to see you.”
She left her office and slowly moved toward the lobby. The idea that Gus was standing at the front desk of Merritt Cosmetics was inconceivable. There was no reason she could think of, barring something to do with Adelia, that he would be there. But sure enough, there he was.
Gus gave a small wave as she approached, then he looked around the lobby. “Nice place you’ve got here.”
“Thanks.” She was confused and slightly annoyed at the interruption in her workday. “Can I help you with something?”
“I hope so.” He looked around again. “Is there somewhere we can talk privately? Maybe we could take a walk.”
“A walk?”
“Yeah, it’s probably best if we talk away from your office.”
Her curiosity was piqued, but she was hesitant to go anywhere with him. “What’s this about?”
“Just give me five minutes. I promise it’ll be worth your time.”
She groaned and let out a breath. Knowing him, he probably wouldn’t leave until she agreed. “Fine.” She turned to Connie. “I’ll be back in ten.”
“Have fun.” Connie smiled at Gus, and he winked in reply.