I wake up late in Kylie’s bed and rush to work. I feel bad about falling asleep, but I couldn’t help myself, I was just too exhausted. She didn’t seem to mind, though.

I spend the whole day thinking about her, completely distracted by everything and barely able to work.

Around noon, my secretary knocks lightly on my office door.

“Yes?” I call out.

She steps inside, smiling. “Ready for tonight?” she asks.

I blink at her. “Tonight?” I ask.

“The charity event,” Judy says. “You know for muscular dystrophy?”

“Shit,” I say, shaking my head. “I totally forgot.”

“Your whole family is going to be there.”

“It just slipped my mind. Lots going on lately.”

She gives me a knowing little nod. “Do you know who you’re bringing?”

I look at her, my head cocked slightly. “I didn’t know I had to bring a date.”

“Oh, you don’t,” she says, looking innocent. “But I did buy a lot of beautiful dresses for a certain woman recently. I bet she’d love to wear one of them.”

I watch Judy for a second then finally break down and smile. I can’t help it, she’s just so transparent.

“Okay,” I say. “Make the arrangements for me.”

“Already done.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “You’re going to get yourself in trouble one day.”

“I hope so!” She laughs as she leaves my office.

I go back to work, losing myself in the job, and I don’t fully grasp what I’ve committed myself to until I’m on my way home and thinking about the evening.

My whole family will be there, Elliot included. It’ll be a neutral place, but that doesn’t guarantee he’ll behave himself. I’ll have to bring some security, just to be sure.

But most importantly, my mother and father will both be there. Or at least I assume my mother will be, my father might be feeling too ill to attend. He has good days and bad days, though lately the bad days are more numerous and more intense.

When I get home, I find Kylie sitting on the couch, reading a book.

“How was work?” she asks as I walk into the room.

“Good,” I say. I walk over to her and give her a small kiss on the mouth. “I have something for you.”

“What’s that?” she asks, smiling.

“Stay here.” I leave her and head into her bedroom. I pick out one the dresses Judy bought, the most formal black dress. I pick it up and carry it out to Kylie.

She smiles a little unsure. “You gave that to me already,” She says.

“Put it on,” I respond, grinning.

“Why?” She looks a little puzzled.

“We’re going somewhere tonight.”

“Are we?” She sits up straight. “Where?”

“A little surprise.”

“How formal?”

“Pretty formal,” I say. “I’ll be wearing my tux.”

“Oh, Carson in a tuxedo. That seems worth it.”

“Good. Go get ready.”

She gets up from the couch, smiling and quickly kisses me as she passes. I grin and watch her go before retreating to my own room.

We have about an hour before we need to go, and I’m ready in fifteen. I shower real quickly and get the tux on in five minutes, and so the rest of the time I sit near the window and drink some whisky, waiting for Kylie to get ready.

But of course, the wait is more than worth it. She emerges right on time wearing that dress, looking absolutely gorgeous. Her hair is layered and beautiful, thick and cascading down her right shoulder. She smiles at me as I stare at her and I feel like my eyes might fall out of my skull.

I always forget that she’s only nineteen. She has a poise and a grace about her that most people her age don’t have. I don’t know how to describe it, but she seems so much older than she is. She feels like a kindred spirit.

I walk over to her, grinning huge.

“Hello, handsome,” she says.

“Hello, gorgeous.” I kiss her full and deep, pulling her against me. “Maybe we should just stay in.”

She laughs slightly. “No way. I didn’t put all this on just for you to take it all off.”

I sigh slightly. “I should warn you before we go.”

“What’s that?”

“This is a charity event my family is throwing. Which means Elliot and my mother will be there. Maybe my father too, though I doubt it.”

She pauses and I see the fear in her eyes. “Is this safe?” she asks.

“Nick and two of his men will be with us, but yes, it’ll be safe. Too many people for Elliot to try something stupid.”

She nods, eyes locked on mine. “I trust you.”

“Good.” I kiss her again. “Come on.”

I call the car and ten minutes later, we’re heading out into the night.