Page 52 of Honey Bun
My throat was tight. I glanced at Arman and imagined a life on the beach, near the cave, as I walked toward him in a white dress. He could never know that thought. I wasn’t free to love him back. With my gaze down, I said, “The beach. I’d like it low-key, and I love the feeling of sand under my feet.”
Kendal winked. “Are we invited?”
I didn’t want to know what she thought. Arman and I were not on that path. I tried to explain. “We’re not…” My face felt hot. I needed to get my life together. I changed course. “Today is about you two. So, we’d have the ceremony here then move guests into the house for cocktail hour while the team sets up dinner and dancing under the stars.” We walked inside the museum room that had once been a ballroom. “But in case of bad weather, the ballroom can be used instead while the guests have cocktails near the fountain room.”
Joel said, “This is looking incredible, Maddie.”
Perfect.I had verbal confirmation from both parties. I glanced at Arman and waved. “I should get going. Feel free to stay and enjoy the dinner at the restaurant next door. Let me know if there’s anything you truly want to add to the menu once you taste what the chef can do.”
Joel hugged his wife’s side. “We will.”
Arman said goodbye. I heard him behind me, so I slowed down. We left together, but I decided that I wouldn’t ask him my burning question. I’d have to figure out the answer myself, but I couldn’t move on until I sorted out my feelings and saw my own value.
He said, “Maddie, need a ride?”
I wished I were strong enough to explain the issue to him. I shook my head. “No. I’ll see you back at the office. I have a stop to make.”
He nodded. “See you then.”
“Bye.” I kissed his cheek. He deserved someone capable of kissing him on the mouth and not caring what anyone thought, and I didn’t want to give him the wrong idea. We probably had no future.
Arman
When Maddie returned to her desk, she typed up my schedule and the wedding-guest list. As I was paying mostly for the clients, whoever else Joel and Kendal invited didn’t matter. It was nice to see my entire family on the list. I approved it without reading too much and sent it back.
The time on my wristwatch hit five o’clock, and I stood. It was time to go. I’d been summoned to my mother’s house. Maddie had agreed to go, too, via the family group-text chat she was now part of, so Mom’s chef was going to prepare extra food.
As I stepped out, I stopped at her desk, which smelled like the new floral perfume she was wearing that day. “Ready to go?”
She pivoted her chair and bounced up to join me. “Absolutely. I’m excited to try new food.”
Maddie was beautiful, talented, and so different from when I’d laid eyes on her after not seeing her for so long. We strolled out of the office, and I said, “Aurora’s already there.”
I waited for her to get into the elevator and then joined her.
“Your mom said the chef was the same person who cooks for you, but now that I look at the building, I realize your parents live so close to you. I hadn’t realized. I don’t think I ever came here. I just went to your beach house.”
Interesting.She hadn’t said a word in the lobby of the office building, but as we headed onto the street, she almost babbled. I wondered if she was nervous and offered her my hand to hold. “Well, let’s head through the park.”
She blinked as if she needed to think before she accepted. Then she took my hand. Neither of us said much as we made it to Central Park then walked across to my parents’ place instead of home.
At the crosswalk, she said, “I knew you lived in Manhattan and had money, and logically, I get that you’re secure, but sometimes, I forget how impressive your last name must be.”
“Don’t stress about anyone in my family.” The people who lived at our addresses did well for themselves. Maddie was probably shy about that. “My parents already adore you and have for years.”
She shrugged. She had no idea how easily she fit in my life. I wasn’t sure how to show her that.
We walked through the door, and the butler offered us wine. We headed into the formal dining hall with enough room for us even if we all had wives and gave Roxanne four grandchildren apiece, as she’d once calculated. Aurora was already with my mother. She waved at us.
We headed toward her, but my brother stepped in front of us.
I said, “Hey, Cyrus. What’s going on?”
He glanced at the ceiling. “I found another dance competition to focus on, but I need to find a partner.”
Maddie said, “Dancing with another woman probably isn’t going to win over Leah.”
“I was trying not to talk about Leah. She isn’t talking to me and refuses to answer calls, returns gifts I send, and wants to pretend I don’t exist.”