Taking a sip of her champagne, Emily looked away.
“I’m not kidding, Emily. You may think that what your father did to your mom is the norm, but it’s not, friend. It’s far from it.” Swallowing hard at the memory, Emily brought her attention back to Olivia. “I suggest you rid yourself of needing closure from that asshole because he’s just like your dad. Box up the shit he has at our apartment, and I’ll have my brother get your stuff from Douche’s place.” Crossing her legs under her red silk gown, she added, “Thank God you hadn’t signed a lease on that apartment you two found.”
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore tonight,” Emily said, her voice teetering between frustration and pleading. “I want to enjoy one evening without thinking about this whole mess with Dillon. Please, Olivia?”
“Okay, but I’m back on your ass come tomorrow then.”
Emily let out a sigh and nodded. “That’s fine.”
Five minutes later, the limousine pulled up to the St. Regis hotel. Marcus opened the door for the women, and each slipped out onto the sidewalk, thanking him for the ride. Pulling her shawl over her shoulders, Emily locked arms with Olivia, and they made their way into the lobby.
After Olivia checked her coat, they floated into the expansive ballroom where the fundraiser was in full swing. Music from a live band hummed through the air while white-gloved waiters traveled the room with flutes of champagne and caviar. The whimsical space held vaulted cloud-dappled ceilings highlighting gilt chandeliers. Soft, pale pink lights, honoring the color of breast cancer awareness, made the white silk material draping the tables look like cascading waterfalls. Beautiful pink roses and carnations sprayed up from glittering mounds of hydrangeas in the center of each table.
The second Emily made her way into the ballroom, her eyes found Gavin’s. She also found she had to remind herself how to breathe. A smile broke out across his face as she watched him excuse himself from a group of men he was speaking with. Not only did Emily focus on him as he strolled across the space, but she noticed that the eyes of every other woman in the room also gravitated to him. Young, old, tall, short, black, or white—women couldn’t help but stare. He looked amazing, wearing an Armani tux that was tailored to perfection. Sliding his hand through his hair, he crossed the room with a stride that was sexy, powerful, and strong.
Olivia leaned in to hug him when he approached. “Thank you for sending the limo for us,” she paused, cocking a mischievous brow while she laughed. “Well, not for us, but either way, it was a nice gesture.”
Shaking her head, Emily smiled, feeling a blush creep across her face.
“Of course I sent it for you both,” he laughed. “I just never thought to send one before.”
“Sure, whatever you say, Blake,” Olivia replied, her voice holding playful skepticism. Gavin laughed again. He knew she was onto him. “Where are your parents? I wanna say hello to them.”
“They’re over there,” he answered, gesturing to a table in the center of the room.
“Cool, I’ll catch up with you two in a bit.” And, with that, Olivia skirted her way through the party in the direction of Chad and Lillian.
Turning to face Emily, Gavin’s eyes slowly languished over every inch of her body. God, she looked exquisite in every way possible—a princess among peasants in the room. It was all he could do to catch a decent breath. A black, strapless velvet gown, accentuating her cleavage, flowed to the ground, hugging her subtle curves like a fitted glove. His gaze swept past a diamond choker, ignoring its sparkle, and fixated instead on the startling fullness of her lips that glistened ruby red. Tiny diamond pins held her hair up with only a few tendrils framing her heart-shaped face. Smoky hues of gray shimmered over her eyelids as her beautiful emerald eyes locked onto his icy blues.
Trying to compose himself, Gavin reached for her hand and regally lifted it to his lips, placing a soft kiss on it. “Words fail to describe the way you look this evening.”
Emily smiled sheepishly. “Thank you,” she breathed out, grasping onto her clutch. “You look great, too.”
“Why, thank you.” He smiled. “Shall we?”
With mild trepidation, she nodded, as he tucked her hand in the crook of his arm.
He led her across the room, pausing briefly to engage in conversations with some of the guests who stopped him. Along the way, he introduced Emily to a few of the families that his mother’s foundation had helped over the years. Their smiling faces showed their gratitude in every way possible. Among the guests were some of New York’s leading breast cancer researchers, organizations, and a few politicians whose families had been affected by the disease. With the subject hitting so close to home, Emily felt awestruck at the generosity Gavin and his family extended to those in need.
“Emily, you remember my brother, Colton, and his wife, Melanie,” Gavin said, pulling out a chair for her.
Nodding, Emily reached across the table and shook their hands. “I do. It’s nice seeing you both again.”
“You, too,” Melanie replied. “My children have actually asked for you quite a few times.”
Emily smiled. “They have?”
Draping his arm over the back of Melanie’s chair, Colton answered, “They sure have. They said you’re the best soccer player in the world.”
“That’s too funny,” Emily laughed. “Well, tell them I said hello. I’ll have to muster up another soccer game with them.”
Gavin smirked and took a seat next to Emily. “Don’t let her fool you. If I recall, I’m the one who taught you how to play soccer.” Looking at her, he shot her a wink.
Emily smiled and shook her head.
“Ah, yes, brother-in-law, take all the credit.” Melanie laughed, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder. “Emily, be forewarned that all the males in the Blake family try to take credit for anything they can.” Emily quirked a brow in Gavin’s direction, and he laughed. “But, for right now, this Blake woman is about to take credit for teaching her husband how to dance.” Melanie rose from her seat and reached for Colton’s hand. “Aren’t I right, sweetie?”
Standing up, Colton curled his arm around her waist and planted a kiss on her head. “I have two left feet, so yes, I’ll give you credit for trying to teach me how to dance.”
“Don’t fall flat on your ass, brother,” Gavin yelled out as the couple moved to the dance floor.
Colton turned around, effectively flipping the bird in Gavin’s direction.
“Hmm, do I sense sibling rivalry?” Emily asked.
“All-out sibling rivalry,” he answered, motioning one of the waiters over. “I revel in any chance I get to make him look like a clown.”
“You’re too much,” she laughed.
Gavin smiled mischievously. “I know, but he deserves it.”
The waiter approached the table with a bottle of expensive bubbly in tow and a towel draped over one arm.
“What would you like to drink?” Gavin asked.
Knowing she and Gavin didn’t mix well with liquor, Emily figured she would keep it light. “Actually, I’ll just take an ice water.”
He creased his brows. “Are you sure?”
With an answering smile, she nodded.
After ordering himself bourbon on the rocks, Gavin leaned back in his chair and looked at her. “I’m happy to see you’re no longer sick.”
“Thank you. That was a rough few days.”
“I’m sure it was,” he replied, knowing they were hard enough for her without adding illness to it. “I stopped by the restaurant to check in on you, and Fallon said you’d already left.”
“I know. I meant to call you, but it completely slipped my mind. I’m sorry about that.”
“No need to apologize. I just wanted to make sure you were doing alright.”
“Well, thank you for checking on me,” she smiled and placed a napkin over her lap. “I truly appreciate it. But I’m okay, honestly.”