“A month too long,” she counters, affectionately rubbing her arm. “So where is this doctor friend of yours?” she asks, wiggling her eyebrows up and down. “I must meet the man who—”
But Madison cuts her off, her cheeks flushing a bright red. “Dixon,” she says, looking over her mom’s shoulder.
Her mother turns around, and the moment her eyes fall on me, I see approval.
“Mom, this is Dixon. Dixon, this is my mom, Rachel,” Madison says as I step forward.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Rachel,” I say, advancing and kissing both her cheeks.
“Likewise,” she replies, her hand fluttering over her heart. “My, my, you failed to mention what a hunk he is,” she adds, turning to look at Madison.
“Mom!” Madison says, her cheeks flushing further while I chuckle.
“What?” she innocently counters.
“Let’s just go inside before you mortify me any further,” Madison replies, tongue in cheek.
“That’s my job,” she replies, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
Madison playfully rolls her eyes, while her mother gives me a small smile. “You kids be good. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“Okay, let’s leave before my mother says something embarrassing. Oh, wait a second, too late,” Madison teasingly says, latching onto my arm and leading me into the ballroom, while Rachel stays to talk to guests.
Laughing, I turn to give Rachel a goodbye wave, which she lightheartedly returns.
Once inside, Madison drags me over to the bar. “Please order anything you like. Alcohol will burn away the memory of meeting my mom.”
“Oh, c’mon, she’s not that bad,” I reply with a grin.
When Madison cocks her brow, I laugh again. I order a scotch for myself, and a water for Madison, and then it’s time to mingle with the hundred plus guests. Madison introduces me to family members, friends of the family, distant relatives, neighbors, and her childhood doctor, but the guests of honor are nowhere to be seen. I’m not sure if she’s evading them on purpose, but as I look around this lavish affair, I see that most people are mingling among themselves, looking to be awaiting their arrival also.
“There she is,” gushes a male voice, and I turn to see an older, distinguished gentleman approach us.
“Sebastian,” Madison says, her smile lighting up the room.
Madison has told me all about Sebastian, and how he was more of a father to her than her own biological father. I instantly like him, as I see nothing but love radiating from his gray eyes as he sees Madison.
“Hello, Button,” he cheerfully says, and she gives him a big hug.
I stand back, allowing her to reconnect with her stepfather, as the reunion looks be a happy one.
“We’ve missed you,” Sebastian says, rubbing her back.
“Sorry I haven’t been around, I’ve just been busy,” she replies into his shoulder, and I hate that I know the reason why she hasn’t visited them for so long.
“Never mind, you’re here now. You look lovely,” he says, and pulls away, his eyes landing on me.
“Ah, is this the doctor your mother has been raving about?” he asks, while Madison nods.
“Yes,” she replies with a nervous grin. “Sebastian, this is Dixon Mathews.”
Sebastian smiles and extends his hand, which I happily accept.
“It’s a pleasure meeting you, Sebastian. I have heard so much about you,” I say, impressed by his strong handshake.
“The pleasure is all mine, Dr. Mathews.”
“Please,” I say, waving him off. “Call me Dixon.”
“Well, Dixon, we hope to see you around our place for dinner very soon. Anyone who can make my little Button smile this way is always welcome in our home.”
“Thank you very much. I would be honored,” I reply, while Madison loops her arm through mine.
“Excellent. Maddy, you nut out the details with your mom, and I’ll let everybody know,” Sebastian says, while Madison freezes up near me. “If you’ll excuse me,” he says, waving to somebody. “Save a dance for your old man,” he adds, and walks away to shake hands with Madison’s neighbor.
The moment he’s gone, Madison sags into me and I wrap my arms around her. “Are you okay?” I ask, kissing the top of her head.
“No,” she replies against my chest. “I was silly to think I could be normal for one night.”
“Shh,” I reply, pulling her out of my embrace. “You’re perfect, and don’t you forget it.”
She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes, which worries me, as I’m unsure how she’ll respond when she actually sees the cause of her self-doubt.
“Did you want to leave?” I ask, but Madison shakes her head.
“We can’t. I don’t want to upset my mom or Sebastian. I’ll be okay.”
“Just say the word and we’ll split,” I reply, running my knuckle down her cheek.
“Thanks for being here,” she says, leaning into my embrace.
“There’s no place I would rather be.”
“Well, well, Mad Maddy has a boyfriend,” says a singsong voice to my left.
I turn quickly, instantly disliking this person, as her voice is dripping with sarcasm. I see a petite brunette in a black dress two sizes too small, but she doesn’t seem to care that she’s showing the entire room her pink bits.
“Hi, Mona,” Madison says, her voice wavering, while I glare at the trashy bimbo in front of me.
“Who are you?” Mona says, making it more than obvious she’s checking me out.
“I’m Madison’s boyfriend,” I counter sharply. “And who might you be?”
“I’m Juliet’s best friend,” she replies, pursing her painted lips.
“Who the hell is Juliet?” I bark, as that name resurfaces frightful memories, ones I wish to never revisit.
Mona laughs, covering her mouth in horror. “Your story of being her ‘boyfriend’ would be a lot more convincing if you actually knew the name of the bride-to-be. How much do you charge?” Mona says, still laughing at her inappropriate joke.
Madison tenses up beside me, and I would be telling this tramp to back the fuck off if I could speak, but I can’t. A sense of dread passes over me as I replay the last five seconds over and over in my head. There must be tons of Juliet’s living in New York, I reason with myself. This is pure coincidence.
“I thought you said your stepsister’s name was Beth?” I quickly ask Madison, ignoring Mona’s chuckles.
“Um, it’s just my nickname for her,” she replies, nervously tugging at her diamond earring. “My silly quirk strikes again,” she adds, attempting to make a joke.
“So her name is Juliet?” I press, not in any mood to laugh.
“Yes,” Madison replies, puzzled.
This is just a coincidence. This is just a coincidence, I repeat to myself, as there is no way I could be that unlucky. I mean, what are the odds? Slim to none, I affirm. It’s pure coincidence that Juliet lives in the same apartment complex as Madison. Just like it’s pure coincidence that Madison’s stepsister, Juliet, is a spoiled little bitch.
But just to be sure, I ask, “What is Sebastian’s surname?”
Madison scrunches up her nose, confused. “It’s—” but she’s cut off by the lights dimming and an emcee addressing the room.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Would you please put your hands together for the bride- and groom-to-be.”
The room erupts in claps and whistles, but Madison and I are at a standoff, she not understanding my sudden interest in her stepsister. I try my best to smile, but as I frantically turn to look at the happy couple making their grand entrance, Madison answers my question.
“It’s Harte,” she whispers into my ear, while my entire world crumbles around me.
34