Tori—
I’m nervous about meeting Rafe today. We’ve met every day this week, and now it's Saturday. He talked about spending the day together after he got off work, but I know I have to tell him why I can’t.
My stomach is in knots, and I’m trembling.
I’m terrified he’s not going to understand.
I walked to the mill office early to wait for him.
He won’t be happy about that, because I’m here alone right now, and that’s probably not safe.
But I needed the time to get my head together.
I knew I couldn’t just walk down the driveway and into his arms.
I’m pacing, trying to figure out how to soften the blow, how to start, what words to use. In the end, all I can come up with is to just blurt it out. Pussyfooting around isn’t going to make it any easier. I ] don’t know how he’s going to react.
I hear him coming long before he gets here. The rumble of his bike has always been a comfort to me. Now it rattles my nerves, because I’ve run out of time.
He turns off the highway, then rolls around and parks. I step out of the shadows, taking him by surprise as he swings off his bike.
“Fuck.” He jerks back, then recognition hits, and he flings his helmet off and strides toward me. “Tori. Are you okay? Is something wrong?”
“I’m fine.” I capture his hands.
“You should have waited until I got here before you came down. I don’t want you here alone. It’s not safe, baby.”
I nod. “I know. I just… I needed to…”
He frowns. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“I have something to tell you, and I’m afraid it’s going to upset you.”
His chin pulls to the side, but he doesn’t lose my eyes. “Okay. Just tell me, Tori. Whatever it is, we’ll work it out.”
“I have to go somewhere tonight.”
“Where?”
I look at the ground; I can’t meet his eyes when I say it. “I promised I’d go to this event tonight.”
“With who?” he bites out, and I think he already knows the answer.
I look at the rising sun, just beginning to peek over the horizon.
“With who, Tori?” he presses.
“Alex Powers.”
Rafe whirls and strides four steps away from me, raking his hand through his hair. He paces. “Are you kidding me? Powers? Seriously?”
“It’s a charity event, that’s all. He needed a date. It means nothing, I—”
“Don’t tell me it means nothing. It means something to him .” He pounds his chest. “It means something to me .”
“I’m sorry. I said I’d do it before… before we became what we are.”
“And what are we, Tori?” he snaps. “Am I a game to you? Are you just having fun with me between dates with the man you really want? Fooling around with a bad boy before you settle down with the good guy?”
“I swear it’s not like that. You and me—this is real, Rafe. This isn’t a game to me.”
“Then cancel. Call him and cancel.”
“I can’t. It’s too late to cancel now. The gala is tonight.”
“Blow him off.”
He studies me, and I feel sick inside. “If you’ll only listen—”
“Go home, Tori.”
“But Rafe—”
“If you’re waiting for me to tell you it’s okay, you can forget it.” He tugs his work gloves on, heads across the lot, and begins stacking boards for an order.
I’m afraid to push it, because he’s really upset right now, and he might say something to me we can’t come back from. Perhaps he’ll be more reasonable when he cools off. It’s just a charity gala. It means nothing. He’ll see. I’ll make him see tomorrow. Somehow, I’ll fix this.
At 7pm, Alex pulls up at the house and rings the bell. My father answers the door, and the two men greet each other. I’m standing at the top of the stairs, and when Alex sees me in the gown I bought this afternoon, he smiles.
In my head, I imagine Rafe standing there, his eyes taking me in, his smile.
But it’s not Rafe.
I descend the stairs, trying to paste on a smile. I’ll be pleasant. I’ll be polite. I’ll do all the gracious things society demands, but I won’t let Alex close, and I won’t let him make more of this than it is.
“Tori, my dear. You look stunning.” Alex takes my hand and brings it to his mouth.
I pull free. “Thank you.”
“Would you like a brandy before you leave, Alex?” my father offers.
“No, Father. We need to go,” I say, but really, I want to limit the amount of alcohol my date consumes. I’m hoping we can make an appearance and leave early. I want this entire evening to be over with as soon as possible.
“Tori is right, Raymond. We should go.” Alex escorts me to the car and holds the door for me. This time, he’s driving a much more luxurious car.
I slip inside, sweeping the flaring skirt of my black lace dress in, and Alex closes my door.
“What kind of car is this?” I ask as he gets behind the wheel.
“A Bentley. Do you like it?”
“It’s very luxurious. Is this another quarter of a million-dollar car?” I tease.
“No. This one’s more.”
“More?” My eyes widen.
“It’s on loan. I’m trying it out, so-to-speak.”
“The dealership let you take it for the night?”
“I’m a very good customer, and I told them I had a lady I wanted to impress.” He flashes me a smile. “Did I succeed?”
“I’d say so. It’s very nice.”
“Good. Perhaps I’ll have to buy it. If my Tori likes it, that’s good enough for me.”
“My Tori?”
“A man can hope, can’t he?”
I turn my head to the scenery flashing by. “Tell me about this event.”
“Childhood cancer research. The McDowell Fund. I’ve been a supporter for years. It’s important I make an appearance. Thank you for being my date tonight. Your presence will make the whole thing bearable.” He gives me a wink. “Much more than bearable.”
“Where is it being held?”
“The San Francisco Opera House, in the Green Room. It’s a lovely setting. It’s an hour's drive. I would have flown us in my helicopter, but your father told me you hate them.”
“I do. Thanks for driving.”
“Of course.”
We make chitchat and luckily don’t get stuck in traffic. Soon we’re pulling up to a valet set up for the event.
Walking into the function, I’m in awe of the room with its soaring cathedral ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows draped in gold brocade tie-back curtains overlooking a terrace. The room is a lovely shade of pale green with gold accents.
Five enormous chandeliers hang above. The room is set up in a seated dinner style with large round tables and gold Chiavari chairs. There’s a small dance floor at the far end and a string quartet in the corner softly playing.
Servers are making the rounds with silver platters of long-stemmed champagne glasses. I’m introduced to several couples as Alex makes his way around. I can honestly say I’m the youngest person in the room, except for a redhead escorted by a man who looks forty years her senior.
The dinner is delicious, and I make it through the evening speeches and bids for donations. Alex goes up and makes a ten-million-dollar donation, topping almost everyone in the room.
He seems a little miffed when the older man with the hot redhead outdoes him by ten million, and I can’t help feeling repulsed by the competitiveness. Is he also trying to outdo the man with his choice of date, trying to have a younger woman than the redhead appears to be?
I’m ready for the evening to be over.
After dessert, Alex takes me on the terrace for some air.
“It’s lovely out here,” I say, stepping to the marble balustrade. “Look at that pretty building across the street.”
“That’s city hall, my dear. We could walk across the street and get married.”
His strange comment has my head swiveling, but I find no humor on his face. I ignore his remark and look at the stars in the sky. “There’s a crescent moon.”
He steps behind me and whispers in my ear. “I’m serious, Tori. I know a judge I can call right now. He’ll even overlook the marriage license waiting period if I ask him. It’s amazing what a campaign donation in the right amount can buy you.”
“Is that what you think you’re doing with me? Buying me?”
He steps back. “I’ve offended you. I’m sorry. I thought we were on the same wavelength.”
I face him, my eyes narrowing, really seeing him for the first time. “Is it me you really want or my father’s land?”
“Can’t I want both? That land will belong to you someday, Tori. Perhaps you’ll need a man like me who can help you run it.”
Suddenly, it becomes crystal clear. If he can’t get my father to sell, he’ll get the land through marriage. My property becomes his property unless there’s a prenup. The deviousness of it all makes me ill.
I could have an ugly argument with him right here and now, but I decide to play it cool. “Perhaps you’re right. You’re such a smart man, Alex. A girl would be extremely lucky to have a man like you looking out for her.”
My words get a smile from him. “I’m glad you see it that way, Tori.”
“Of course. A girl would be crazy not to want such a handsome man who offers her the world on a platter.”
“I could give you anything you want, Tori. Anything.”
I look behind him at the glittering room beyond the glass. “Perhaps it’s time to head back. I think things are winding down.”
They aren’t, but I think he’s reached his objective for the night. I think these people bore him.
“Of course, dear.” He extends his elbow and escorts me inside.
When we arrive at my front door, Alex leans over and kisses me. Then he tries to put his hand up my dress. I push him back, but for a split second, the look in his eyes has me worried he won’t stop.
“Alex. Enough,” I bite out, and that seems to snap him out of it.
“I apologize. I was swept away by your beauty and how amazing you look in that gown.”
I snag the door handle, not giving him a chance to come around and open my door for me. “It was a lovely evening. Thank you for taking me.”
I hurry inside before he can try to make another date with me.
Shutting the door, I lean back against it. I’m so done with that man. This started out as a favor to my father and snowballed out of hand. Tomorrow, I’ll warn him of what a snake Alex Powers really is.