Sailor

 

“Sailor Lockwood,” Thatcher Davenport says before he lifts my hand and kisses the top of it. His golden-brown eyes tilt up at me, and there’s a sparkle of charm in them. Why did I agree to this? “I thought my cousin was full of shit when he told me he was bringing you. How have you been?”

“Um, good, thanks.” I take a quick glance at the crowd of people occupying his outdoor living space on E. 61st St. “Congratulations on your engagement.”

“Thank you.” He shrugs. “I never thought it could happen on the Upper East Side, but I found true love.”

“Aww, that’s sweet.”

Flashing me a sly grin, he finally releases my hand.

“You’re even prettier than your sister was.”

“Dude, I asked you not to bring up the past,” Jake says.

“Beauty like this needs to be mentioned.”

Taking hold of my waist from behind, Jake seems ready to direct me forward, away from Thatcher.

“This is your engagement party. Do you have no shame?”

“Hey, I’m only paying the beautiful woman a compliment. Don’t worry; Marybeth knows she owns me, both my heart and my balls. Where is she, by the way?” After glancing around a few seconds, he winks at me.

“Enjoy yourself tonight, Sailor. It’s nice to see you around again.” His smile fades as he gives me a sincere look, so I nod before Jake walks me farther out onto the patio.

A man in a white shirt and black vest is serving drinks as we approach the bar and wait behind another couple.

“Maybe that will be the worst of it,” Jake whispers in my ear.

“It’s fine. He was probably nervous, too, about what to say to me after all these years. I’ll consider that when others speak to me.” Still holding my waist, he pivots my body so that I’m facing him with my back to the bar.

“It’s working. My positive energy is rubbing off on you.”

“I guess so, and for that, you earned a kiss.” I lean up to press my lips against his. “I’ll give you a better one later.”

While Jake orders us drinks, I size up the impressive space surrounding us. It’s a lovely fall evening, the weather perfect for entertaining outside, and I can’t help but snicker, thinking Thatcher Davenport probably threw dollar bills toward the sky to buy a day of great weather.

He’s from old money so far back I can’t recall the industry that earned them the cash and honor of being one of the most affluent and influential families in the city.

A long, rectangular light oak table rests in the middle of the space. Lanterns are already lit as the sun sets, and they’re surrounded by people taking up every matching chair. A few of the guests I know, but I haven’t spotted many people I recognize yet.

Jake hands me my glass of bubbly, and after taking a sip, I discover it’s not sweet enough. I’m already spoiled by the delicious strawberry wine Elliott buys for me. Elliott… I miss him when I wish I didn’t.

At least, it seems as if life would be easier if I didn’t, but I do miss the exhilarating feeling that develops when he’s near, the way my heart wants to leap from my chest.

“Jake, hi,” a stunning woman says as she approaches us.

“Marybeth, hi.”

She flits her eyes between Jake and me a couple of times.

“Sailor, this is Thatcher’s fiancée, Marybeth. Marybeth, this is Sailor.”

After brushing her honey-blond hair back over her shoulder, she holds out her dainty hand for me to shake.

“Sailor, it’s so nice to meet you.”

“Your home is stunning.”

“Thank you. We only moved in a month ago, so it’s been a whirlwind having it decorated in such a short amount of time.”

“No one would know you were rushed. You have amazing taste.”

“I can’t take all the credit. Thatcher’s a closet designer, as in he keeps that bit of information in the closet.” She laughs. “Well, it won’t be if I keep telling people. He designed this entire outdoor space.

“Oh, my best friend just arrived. I need to greet her. You two have fun tonight.” After granting me a smile, she kisses Jake on the cheek and strolls away.

I admire the lace on the back of her green-apple cocktail dress that’s formal and modest rather than sexy.

I look down at my black dress, wondering if it’s too risqué for the party. With only one shoulder covered and the way it drapes and gathers in the front, it looks more like a Greek goddess’s gown, except this one is short.

My other shoulder is only hidden by several spaghetti straps spaced apart. I thought Jake would like it since he seemed proud that he would have me on his arm tonight. Suddenly more nervous, I swallow the rest of my champagne.

“I need another glass.”

Jake smirks. “I guess you can drink up since I won’t be giving you piggyback rides tonight.” Leaning in, he kisses my ear. “At least, not in this dress. I can’t have you giving others a show.”

“It’s too racy, isn’t it?”

“Baby, you look classy. The only problem I see is how the men already have their eyes on you. Why don’t you grab those two empty seats at the table while I get us drinks? I see Thatcher’s younger brother is over there, and I want to introduce you.”

“I don’t remember him having a brother.”

“It was a scandalous secret. His father strayed, and Thatcher found out he had a brother about five years ago. It took two more years before he didn’t hate the guy. I convinced him that it wasn’t the kid’s fault his father couldn’t keep his dick in the family. They’re close now.”

“So, we’re not the only ones with family drama.”

“If you had stayed in the know, you’d be shocked. I’m telling you, you’ve worried too much over the years about what people would think.”

“I guess so.”

I walk over to the table and take the second to last seat. The young man next to me turns his head and brandishes a sly grin.

“Damn, who are you, sweetheart?”

“Hi, I’m Sailor Lockwood.”

“I’m Harrison Davenport.” I notice he has the same light brown hair as Thatcher.

“Oh, are you Thatcher’s brother?”

“I am.”

“My date, Jake Callister, told me to come over so I could meet you.”

He frowns. “Figures. How did Jake land a date like you?”

“By being his kind, charming self.”

“Yeah, I guess he has always been a chick magnet,” he says while looking toward Jake at the bar. Unlike his brother’s golden-brown eyes, his are hazel. “Lockwood… Does your father run Lockwood Global?”

“Yes, that’s him.”

“How in the hell have we not met before?” He shifts his chair to face me, and I’d guess he’s about my age.

“I like to keep to myself.”

“And I’m trying to break Sailor of her hermit lifestyle,” Jake says as he sits next to me. “She’s too gorgeous, smart and interesting to be in hiding.”

“What do you do, Sailor?”

“I’m a kindergarten teacher.”

Harrison smirks before he takes a drink of something golden in his glass.

“A teacher? Wow, I didn’t expect that from the daughter of a technology mogul, but it’s pretty cool.”

“Thank you.” As he and Jake chat, my mind drifts back to Elliott, and I imagine what could happen if he shows up with Nicole. Maybe he feels a relationship with her is his shot at moving on, but it still hurts. Will they speak to me?

Frustration builds as I think about him running away from the past again, and that makes me realize I haven’t had enough alcohol to numb my emotions.

“I’m going to get another drink,” I say to Jake before I down my champagne and excuse myself from the table. Marybeth is at the bar when I approach it.

“Sailor, right?”

“Yes.”

“Would you like a tour of the rest of the house? We can talk about your family and Jake. I’ve never seen him happier.” She smiles coyly, and it feels like she’s preparing to gather dirt for the next text message to Gossip Girl.

“Sure.”

My days of change have turned into weeks, so why stop now? Everyone seems nice enough, and it’s not like I have to share my juiciest secrets.