Lola

GRAYSON’S DEMEANOR DIDN’T improve much once we arrived at the Seattle Art Museum, but to his credit, even though I could tell he was unhappy about our exchange in the car, he didn’t let it show outwardly. He smiled for the cameras that lined both sides of the carpeted entrance while holding me close, in what would appear to onlookers to be a loving embrace. He offered polite greetings and kind words to those who stopped us on the way to the ballroom.

He even placed his hand on the small of my back, leaned in, and asked if I wanted a glass of champagne once we made it into the ballroom. When I nodded, he moved off toward one of the two bars that lined the far walls of the spacious room to retrieve my drink.

“Oh, Lola. Darling, I’m so happy to see you!”

I spun on my heels, the fringe of my skirt swinging out in a glittering whirl of jet-black beads. “Cybil, hi.”

Grayson’s mother grabbed me by the forearms and leaned in to place a kiss on my cheek. “You look absolutely stunning.”

“Thank you, so do you.” I smiled sweetly, Cybil’s presence helping to calm my rapidly fraying nerves.

I didn’t realize I’d been joined by anyone else until another person spoke up. “You do look lovely, dear. That dress is something else. I think I want one of my own.” I laughed at Grayson’s nana. I really did adore that woman.

“How about I let you borrow this one?”

“Oh, you’re on. I think I could pull it off. I might be old, but I’ve still got it.”

“Oh that you do, Nana. Most definitely.”

I felt his presence seconds before he spoke. “Mother. Nana.” Grayson stopped close to my side and handed me a crystal champagne flute before leaning in to place a kiss to his mother’s and grandmother’s cheeks. Once he stood tall, his arm looped around my waist, pulling me into his side. I didn’t even try to stop myself from nuzzling even closer.

I knew my actions caught him off guard because his entire body went stiff for a moment before that arm around me tightened. I looked up at him, trying my best to tell him with my eyes that I was right where I wanted to be.

I must have pulled it off, because the wall he’d placed between us in the car suddenly fell and he returned my smile with one so full of love it took my breath away.

“Aren’t you two just adorable,” Cybil sighed, pulling my gaze back in her direction.

“Where are Dad and Deacon?” Grayson asked, stealthily moving the conversation in another direction.

“Oh, they’re milling about somewhere.” Cybil waved her hand at her side. “Probably at the bar. You know how your father feels about these black-tie events.”

“And he’s not wrong,” Nana grumbled. “I think I’ll join them. I’m in need of a whiskey.” Nana turned and started in the direction of the bar, her cane tapping silently on the carpeted floor as she went in search of libations. I couldn’t help but think that an inebriated Nana would certainly liven up the evening.

Just then, Sophia and Daphne came waltzing into the ballroom. Having spotted me the moment they entered, they made a beeline to our little huddle. I made quick introductions between Cybil and my friends.

Hearing their names, Cybil’s entire face brightened.

“It’s so nice to meet you. I’m such a fan of your show.”

Dear Lord, his mother listens to our show? I gave a bug-eyed look to my girls, who were trying their best to stifle their laughter.

“Thanks,” Sophia offered. “Glad you enjoy it.”

“Oh, I do! That segment you did on vibrators was rather enlightening.”

“Jesus Christ,” Grayson grunted as I choked on air. My friends laughed as Cybil scowled at her son.

“Grayson! Language.”

“Well excuse me, Mom, but what the hell do you expect? I don’t need to hear that shit.”

“I’ll have you know your father’s still as amorous as ever. That doesn’t die in a relationship just because you get older.”

He let out a slow “Fuck” and looked down at me. “Are my ears bleeding? They feel like they’re bleeding. I think I might need to go to the hospital.”

“So dramatic,” his mother admonished. “Anyway. Lola, darling, I just wanted to tell you that I think what you and your friends are doing tonight is admirable. I saw the program. There’s no doubt you’ll raise a ridiculous amount of money for such a good cause.”

“Wait… what?”

It was my turn to go stiff at Grayson’s question. Once again, I’d completely forgotten. I looked to Sophia and Daphne for help, but they were too busy enjoying the show to engage. The traitors.

“They’re doing a bachelorette auction tonight,” Cybil offered. “They’ve agreed to offer themselves up for a date to the highest bidders. Isn’t it a wonderful idea?”

The dark look he gave me said he thought the idea was anything but wonderful.

Seemingly unaware of the thundercloud that had suddenly taken residence over our little gathering, Cybil turned to my friends and said, “You know, there are a few gentlemen here tonight with some pretty thick wallets. Why don’t I take you ladies around and make introductions? Help drum up excitement before the auction starts?”

“What a wonderful idea,” Daphne chirped, hooking her elbow through Cybil’s.

“Definitely,” Sophia added with a side-eye look in my direction. “Let’s do that right now. Grayson, you’ll keep Lola company, won’t you?”

I was going to murder her in her sleep.

“You don’t need to worry about that,” he replied with a gruff, unhappy rumble.

Uh-oh.

The three of them scuttled off, leaving me to my doom. A quick peek through my lashes showed he was not happy. “Gray—”

“You think that maybe you should’ve mentioned you’re offering yourself up as a date for money tonight?”

Yep, so not happy.

“Honestly, I totally forgot about the auction until your mother mentioned it.”

“Christ, Lola,” he grunted. It was then that I noticed he was holding a tumbler of amber-colored liquid. He lifted the glass to his lips and downed the entire thing in one short swallow.

“It’s really not a big deal.”

He let go of my waist and turned to face me full-on with a menacing glare. “Other men are going to be bidding on you, Lola. How the fuck is that not a big deal?”

“It’s for charity?” I offered quietly.

“Not helping. And don’t be cute when I’m pissed off.”

I took that as an opening and stepped close, pressing our chests together as I smiled demurely. “You think I’m cute?”

“You know you are. Don’t change the subject.” He was still scowling, but I could see his hold on his anger was beginning to slip.

I opened my mouth to speak when a familiar, unwelcome voice spoke from beside us.

“Hey, shorty.”

My head dropped back. “You’ve got to be kidding me!” I snapped at the ceiling, in search of divine intervention.

It didn’t come.

I straightened my head and narrowed my eyes at my brother. I had to hand it to him, he looked good in a tux, but… WTF! “What are you doing here? How are you here?”

“I bought a ticket,” he replied with a smug grin. “You aren’t the only one in the family who’s loaded, you know.”

“Please, God, tell me you don’t have Ma with you.” Because that would be fucking perfect.

“No. Turns out she had a date with that doorman of yours. When I left, she was humming a Frank Sinatra song and getting dolled up.”

Fuck my life.

I chose to ignore the fact that my mom getting close to Maury did not mean good things and asked, “Why are you here?”

Dominic had the good sense to look contrite, but that didn’t matter for shit when he responded with “Look, I know you’re going to be pissed, but—”

“No!” I snapped, shoving my index finger in his face. “No. Don’t you even go there, Dom.”

“I have to, Lo,” he answered earnestly. “I have to at least try.”

“What’s going on?” From the corner of my eye, I could see Grayson’s head bouncing back and forth between my brother and me, but I refused to take my eyes off Dominic.

“You don’t have to try anything. This is neither the time nor the place, Dom. Sophia doesn’t want to see you.”

“Ohhhh” came Grayson’s mutter of understanding. He remembered me telling him about Sophia and my brother dating. He also remembered that it hadn’t ended well.

“Listen, I’m not going to make a scene, I swear,” my brother said beseechingly. “I won’t approach her if I think it’ll make trouble. I just… I have to see her, shorty. I can’t be in the same city and pretend she isn’t here. I tried.”

“Gah!” I tugged at the hair on the sides of my head before throwing my hands up. “Could this night possibly get any worse?”

Then I heard her voice. It was like Karma was laughing directly in my face, saying, “Sucks to be you!”

“Hi, Lola.”

I turned woodenly, my gaze landing on the auburn-haired stunner.

Fiona.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the seventh circle of hell.