Chapter Thirteen
Ivy
“Take those out first.”
“No, no, no. The spinach cheese puffs don’t go out yet.”
“Champagne! Those glasses are for the champagne!”
“Seriously? We’re already out of the white wine? So who’s making the store run, because I specifically ordered forty bottles. Not four!”
“I’ll take the tray if you don’t want to and you can see yourself to the door. Come on, guys. What in the world is happening?”
I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off. The fashion show had been a great success, but the after-party was leaving much to be desired. Someone skimped on the catering service, so all of the waiters and waitresses didn’t know what the fuck they were doing. I was trying to run point and get them all in line that I had to text Dean and tell him where to show up. Which made me feel like shit.
“The empty drink glasses aren’t going to collect themselves!” I exclaimed.
And then, as if he knew I needed him at that second, Dean appeared up the stairs.
The after-party was on top of a restaurant. Rented out for those who attended the show. And it had beautiful views of the city. The stars twinkled in the nighttime sky as the blanket of black draped over the city, matching my dress perfectly. It was black and form-fitting. A sleeveless design that dipped between my breasts and almost down to my belly button. The fabric slid along my body and glittered with its sheen whenever the moonlight hit it just right.
And Dean’s blacked out suit matched me perfectly.
He was a dream. A black suit tailored perfectly to his broad form and a black button-down that pulled ever-so-slightly at the muscles of his thick chest. His slim black tie only served to accent how massive the man was compared to everyone else, and his green eyes pierced me from across the room. All black. All man. And hungry for attention.
He strode for me, his hands in his pockets as I stood there breathless.
“I see great minds think alike,” Dean said as he approached me.
“I figured maybe you were simply mimicking me and my wonderful ideas,” I said.
“You look marvelous, Ivy.”
“And you look more handsome than any man on this rooftop.”
He offered his arm to me and I slipped mine within it. The way the crook of my arm settled against his felt wonderful. I gravitated to him in ways I’d never gravitated to another man. It felt right to be there with him. Underneath the stars in matching outfits with nothing but the moon looking down upon us. I felt comforted whenever he was around, and soon the worries of the after-party fell to the back of my mind.
Everything felt right now that Dean had arrived.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t pick you up,” I said.
“Don’t worry. It gives me an excuse to drive you home,” he said.
I grinned up at him before my eyes caught sight of my friends.
Grace and Emilia had come with their husbands. Hayden and Tristan were in the corner talking about something and my two friends were eyeing me carefully. I looked up at Dean and he looked down at me, then he smiled before he nodded towards the corner.
“Friends of yours?” he asked.
“They are, yes.”
“You can go speak with them if you want.”
“Will you come with me?”
Usually, that was a huge step for me. Introducing a man to Grace and Emilia. But it didn’t feel like a big step with Dean. It felt like that was how it was supposed to be. He nodded his head and a smile crossed my cheeks, then I led us over-- arm in arm-- to where the four of them were standing.
“Everyone enjoying the wine?” I asked.
“You know what I am enjoying?” Emilia asked. “This dress on you. Where did you get it?”
“It’s been jammed into the back of my closet for years now,” I said.
“Well I’m glad you busted it out, because it looks stunning on you,” Grace said.
“Doctor Anderson!”
My head whipped up as Hayden and Tristan made their way over.
“Hayden Lowell. It’s good to see you on your feet,” Dean said with a smile.
Dean slid his arm from me as he shook Hayden’s hand before clapping his back. I furrowed my brow in confusion and looked over at the girls, but all they did was shrug their shoulders.
“Do you two know one another?” I asked.
“Not personally,” Dean said. “But I was the trauma doctor in the E.R. the day this man came in from his accident.”
“Wait, you were the doctor who kept watch over him?” Grace asked.
“And you must be Grace,” Dean said as she shook her hand. “There are a few priceless stories that worked their way around the hospital about how you strong-armed Mr. Lowell into straightening up.”
“Please, call me Hayden. And yes, those stories would be true.”
I stood there in shock while Emilia laughed at me.
“I can’t believe you guys know each other,” I said.
“Well, not in the personal sense,” Dean said. “But really, Hayden. It’s good to see you on your feet.”
“Thank you for all you did for me in the hospital. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for your quick thinking,” Hayden said.
“And Grace’s care. Don’t forget about that,” Dean said.
“Don’t worry. I thank her everyday for it.”
Grace’s cheeks flushed and I giggled as I shook my head.
“So what brings you out to this after-party? I don’t think I saw you at the show,” Tristan said.
“I was invited by Ivy to come out. I wanted to take her out for dinner, but she roped me into her plans instead,” Dean said.
“Sounds about like Ivy,” Tristan said. “So how do you two know one another?”
“He came to that fashion show at The High Line a couple of weeks back. We met there,” I said.
“Is this a date?” Emilia asked with a grin.
“Yes, it’s a date,” I said. “At least, I think it’s a date.”
“I hope it’s a date,” Dean said. “Otherwise I wore my g-string for nothing.”
Everyone laughed, and I watched as he offered me his arm again. I slid my grasp back into his and leaned into his strength a little bit. It was funny, the kind of small world we lived in. The six of us stood around and talked as trays passed by. Drinks and snacks and puff pastries and small desserts. I popped some into my mouth and grabbed a drink or two, dumping my glasses as quickly as they came by.
“You okay, Ivy?” Hayden asked.
“Yeah. You’re sucking those drinks down pretty quickly,” Emilia said.
“So, I may or may not have forgotten to eat lunch. And it may or may not be hitting me right at this very second,” I said as I plucked another small sandwich from a passing tray.
“Well why don’t I take you to go get something to eat?” Dean asked. “I’m sure there’s a place that’s still open.”
“Oh, do you know what’s open? That pizza joint. Um… what’s it called? I can never remember it, but it’s Grace’s favorite place to eat,” Hayden said.
“Oh, that place? I can never remember the name either. But I sure as hell know where it is,” Tristan said.
“Now I want pizza,” Emilia said.
“Dean?” I asked.
I looked up at him and found him smiling down at me.
“Fancy some pizza?” he asked with a grin.
“Then it’s settled! Pizza it is,” Hayden said.
“Did you drive here, Ivy?” Dean asked.
“Nope. I took a cab,” I said.
“Then allow me to escort you to my car. No cabs for you tonight,” he said.
“Awww, how sweet,” Emilia said. “And if you’re late, we know you both pulled off onto a backroad to have dessert first.”
“Emilia!” Grace exclaimed.
“Not everyone is like you and Tristan,” Hayden said with a grin.
“Sounds like a party I’d like to join,” Dean said with a smile.
“Dean!” I exclaimed.
Everyone was laughing and having a great time as another food tray passed. I grabbed a dessert and tossed it between my lips before everyone started making their way for the staircase. I clung to Dean as we talked down the steps, the alcohol starting to course through my veins. But eventually, he scooped me off my feet and carried me down the steps.
“Yikes. He’s making us look bad. Hold on,” Hayden said.
I heard Emilia and Grace squeal as their guys picked them up as well. I threw my head back and laughed, wrapping my arms around Dean’s neck. This night couldn’t get any better, and I was so glad Dean agreed to come out and spend it with me.
I laid my head onto his shoulder as he carried me out to his car. Then he sat me in my seat, closed my door, and prepared to whisk me away to pizza.
Ah, my hero.