Page 175 of Boss of Me

“You need to know you’re not an alcoholic,” Maverick finishes for me.

I swallow hard and nod, gritting my teeth. “It’s not just the drinking. The half billion I cost our company? That wasn’t just a careless mistake. I made a dangerous, reckless gamble because I was feeling invincible, point blank.” I glare challengingly at Maverick. “So tell me again how I’m nothing like Dad.”

He stares at me for a long moment, then reaches over and puts his hand on my shoulder.

“You’re not him,” he quietly reiterates. “But it doesn’t matter how hard I try to convince you. Until you believe it yourself, you’re going to be stuck in an endless loop of guilt and misery.You deserve better than that, Gunner. And so does Marlowe. So do whatever it takes to get yourself right. Then for fuck’s sake, man, go get your girl back.”

Chapter Forty-One

marlowe

Halfway through december, lilith hosts aholiday cocktail party at her house on the lake. The home resembles an art gallery with glossy hardwood floors, long hallways and bold abstract paintings that take up entire walls.

She’s a gracious and elegant hostess, escorting me around the room and introducing me to her guests. They’re mostly painters, musicians, writers and poets, along with members of our organization that I haven’t already met through work.

Standing beside her in my little black dress and skyscraper heels, I smile and blush profusely as she brags about me and my achievements, waxing eloquent about my contributions to the Halifax Music Society.

“Among her many talents, Marlowe is also an accomplished pianist,” she proudly announces to an attentive group of local music powerbrokers. “Although she prefers the administrative side of music, she’s certainly gifted enough to enthrall audienceswith her virtuosity. Perhaps she’ll grace us with a song later this evening.”

A murmur of approval goes around the circle. The president of a prestigious chamber ensemble hands me his card and tells me to contact him when I finish grad school.

I beam at him, my excitement barely contained. Working as an ensemble librarian would be an absolute dream come true.

As Lilith steers me away a few minutes later, she gives me a warm squeeze around my waist and crows, “I knew you’d be a big hit tonight.”

“Thank you for everything,” I tell her earnestly. “You’ve been such a godsend.”

“Oh, Marlowe.” She hugs me to her side, tipping our heads together. “You deserve all the good things life has to offer. Besides, us smart gals have to stick together.”

I grin at her. “Would you excuse me for a minute? I’m going to do a little happy dance in the restroom.”

She laughs, releasing me. “Take your time.”

I head for the powder room, wending my way through dozens of people milling around with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, chatting and enjoying the eclectic range of music.

After emptying my bladder, I wash my hands and reapply the red matte lipstick my mother sent me with a slew of other beauty products. She’s been doing everything in her power to atone for years of treating me like dirt. It’ll take more than expensive gifts, of course. But she’s trying her best, and I appreciate that.

Finger-combing my hair, I stare hard at my reflection in the mirror. My face is thinner, my cheekbones more pronounced than they were when I first moved to Texas. So much has changed since then, and some days I feel like a completely different person: older, wiser and far more jaded. I no longer believe in fairytales. I learned the hard way that they don’t exist,and Prince Charming is just an asshole with great hair, big muscles and a monster dick.

Shaking off the cynical thoughts, I leave the powder room and head back to the party that seems to be getting louder as more guests arrive.

Helping myself to a caramel apple martini from a passing waiter’s tray, I cross the room to the terrace doors and slip outside for some fresh air.

Austin is in the grip of a cold snap that’s kept most of the guests indoors. Being from Pittsburgh, I’m used to freezing temperatures and snowstorms. So a little chilly air doesn’t chase me back inside.

A few other brave souls are huddled together smoking cigarettes and laughing quietly.

Sipping my martini, I walk to the stone balcony and look up at the night sky. I’m standing there counting stars when I hear the terrace door open, followed by the low murmur of two voices. One belongs to Lilith.

My heart rate spikes. Because I recognize the second voice. Know it like my own.

When I turn around and see Gunner, my stomach flips hard enough to make me gasp.

As our gazes lock across the terrace, Lilith smiles softly and slips back inside.

My grip on my martini glass turns clammy as Gunner walks slowly toward me with his long coat flapping in the breeze, black hair gleaming in the moonlight.

Goose bumps erupt across my skin and I shiver, unable to look away as he closes the distance between us.