CHAPTER NINETEEN
Talen
My plan to take Dani to an art show didn’t pan out the way I planned. Sunday morning, I got word that an exclusive show was being put on in Vegas. It was the first night, and only the elite were invited. The second my invite arrived, I knew I didn’t have a choice. Dani and I would have to go. Otherwise, the press would wonder where I was and why I hadn’t shown.
I called Dani Sunday afternoon to tell her the plan. She seemed fine with it, but I couldn’t read her mood over the phone. I wished I could see her face to know for sure how she felt. Dani challenged me during every conversation. It was both infuriating and intriguing. I’d never met a woman who could give me a run for my money, but Dani could and did. Her wit was always on point, ready to fire away at any moment. She impressed me more than I ever imagined she would. The more we talked, the more impressed I became.
I got dressed that night in a tuxedo. The show was shrouded in mystery, so I had no idea what to expect, but I knew to dress well. I told Dani the event was formal. I was worried she wouldn’t have the proper attire, but she assured me she would be fine. Without being wealthy, I couldn’t imagine she had much reason to buy expensive dresses, but I chose to trust her. When the limo arrived to pick me up, I said good night to my doorman and hurried outside and slid in the back.
While we drove toward Dani’s apartment, I checked the limo’s bar to make sure everything was in order. I specifically requested champagne because I wanted the evening to be extravagant. This was our first time in the public eye, and it had to go smoothly. If we failed tonight, our entire ruse would be over before it even began. I was nervous. I already felt myself sweating beneath my tux, but I tried to relax. We would be arriving at Dani’s apartment in just a few minutes, and I couldn’t let her see how anxious I felt.
The limo pulled inside the gate at Dani’s apartment complex. We were slightly early, but only by a few minutes. I was sure Dani would be ready.
“Shall I go knock, sir?” the limo driver asked, but I was already sliding toward the door.
“No need,” I said. “I’ll go.”
“Very good.” He rolled up the window separating the cab of the car from the back.
I hurried toward Dani’s door, eager to see her. This night could either make or break us, and I had to remain positive. I was excited to finally be seen in public with her, but I was also excited for the night to end. I couldn’t wait to put this whole thing behind me and just be normal again.
When I knocked, Dani answered immediately. She opened the door, and my mouth fell open. Her auburn hair was tied back in some elegant twist with loose curls falling all around her face. She wore a floor-length black gown that glittered slightly in the light. Her heels were just high enough that we were the same height. I focused on her face for a long time, taking in the bright green of her eyes and the blush on her cheeks.
“You look nice,” Dani said, her tone cautious and polite.
“Thank you,” I said and cleared my throat. “That dress is, um…”
She looked down and I noticed her fingers trembling a little. “Is it okay?”
“Perfect.”
She blew out a relieved breath and smiled before locking the door behind her. As I followed her to the limo, I felt like an idiot the whole way there. Despite my attempts at a compliment, I fell short. When I saw her, I was immediately speechless. I’d always known she was attractive, but I’d never seen her like that before. She looked like a model standing in that doorway. I forgot how to breathe. I didn’t recover until we were safely in the back of the long car.
“A limo?” she asked, once inside. “You weren’t kidding about this event being formal.”
“I just thought it would be a nice touch for the cameras,” I said with a shrug.
She settled back, her hand stroking the soft leather. “I’m sure it will be. So, what kind of show is this anyway?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I got the invitation this morning and thought we should go. It’s the first showing, and only certain people were invited.”
“Exclusive,” she said.
“Very. Which means there will be a ton of cameras around tonight.”
Dani nodded, but I noticed that her cheeks flushed slightly. She was nervous too. I tried to think of something to say that would ease her fears, but nothing came to mind. Instead, I slid down the seat and grabbed the champagne bottle.
“Champagne?” she asked with raised eyebrows.
“It’ll get us in the right mood.” She lifted a brow and I laughed. “I mean, it’ll help us loosen up. This night is important. The first time we’re being seen together in public. We should celebrate or something.”
“I think hard liquor would be better,” she joked.
“Probably,” I said, laughing. God, she was adorable. “But then we would have to worry about getting drunk. The last thing we need is another drunken adventure in Vegas together.”
“What’s the worst that could happen?” she asked, grinning. “We get married again?”
“Good point,” I said, pouring us each a glass. “Better safe than sorry, though.”
“I never thought I’d hear those words come out of your mouth,” Dani teased.
“Well, you don’t really know me, do you?” I asked, bobbing my eyebrows.
“I think I know you better than you think.” I handed her a glass, and she took a small sip.
“You do?” I asked with a challenge in my voice.
“You aren’t that mysterious, Talen.”
Her eyes were locked on mine while she spoke. We drank our champagne in silence as we headed into Vegas. The quiet around us was comfortable, easy. I didn’t feel nervous anymore. I knew that Dani had my back and that she would make the evening painless. We would be fine.
We finished our glasses of champagne just as the limo pulled up in front of the venue. I could already see the line of cameras flashing. My stomach clenched tightly. Despite my confidence, I was still scared my plan would fail.
“You ready?” I asked Dani.
“I guess.” I watched as she adjusted the wedding ring on her finger. I glanced down at my own, realizing that I hadn’t taken it off once since we got married. I’d almost forgotten it was there. And it reminded me…
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the enormous diamond ring I bought this morning. Dani gasped when I opened my palm to show it to her. Slowly, I took her hand and slipped it over her knuckle until it met the simple band I didn’t remember sliding there. “There. Now we’re believable.”
She just stared, her mouth sagging open and she moved her hand around so the ring caught the dim light. “It’s beautiful.”
It really was. I’d gone into the jewelry store thinking I’d pick up whatever ring would pass my parents’ and the public’s inspection, but I ended up spending three hours there, trying to decide. I’d gone with the seven-carat round surrounded by halo diamonds. It was simple but gorgeous, just like her.
“You’re beautiful.” I hadn’t meant to say that, but it was true.
The air pulsed between us as it always did and it took every ounce of willpower I possessed not to kiss her. Fuck it. I was going to kiss her anyway, but the driver’s door opened and I remembered where we were.
“Let’s go.” I pushed open the limo door and climbed outside. Immediately, cameras began to flash in my face. I turned around and extended my hand to Dani. She took it and let me pull her to her feet. Her beauty struck me again as she stepped onto the sidewalk. She looked like an actress stepping onto the red carpet.
Dani wrapped her arm around mine, and I led us through the crowd. We both smiled and waved at the cameras as we passed. Reporters yelled my name, and I acknowledged them with a nod. Questions were fired at us, but we didn’t stop to answer. Instead, we continued walking up the sidewalk until we were almost to the venue’s doors.
“Mr. Gaston!” a voice yelled. “Pose for a picture?”
I glanced at Dani to see if she was okay with it. She nodded, and we both turned toward the voices. Dani stepped closer to me, laying her left hand gently on my chest. I put my arm around her waist and smiled widely. I knew her glittering ring would be in plain sight in the photograph, and the thought pleased me immensely. In just a couple days, everyone would know that Talen Gaston was a married man.
The photographer continued to snap pictures until I finally pulled Dani away. We waved to the cameras one last time before disappearing inside. A doorman directed us down a long, dark hallway. It was dimly lit with blue lights and nothing else. I’d never been inside this venue before, but it was beautiful. When we reached the end of the hallway, the room opened up into a huge amphitheater.
“Wow,” Dani gasped. “Holy fu… crap.”
I laughed. Just seconds before, she had been poised and elegant. No one would have guessed she would have uttered such words.
“Lady on the streets,” I muttered softly. She heard me and smacked my arm playfully.
I led her forward, and we found our seats. The stage was empty and completely black. The seats around us began to fill quickly, and soon, the show was about to start. The lights around us went dark, and the stage was lit in fluorescent green. I didn’t know what to expect from this show, but it didn’t matter. I couldn’t tear my attention away from Dani the entire night.
No matter how hard I tried, I continued glancing at her during the show. I couldn’t have told anyone what the show was about, but I knew every single line on Dani’s face. I memorized each eyelash and freckle she sported. I found myself wishing the show would end so we could talk again. I wanted to hear her voice, her laugh.
When the show finally ended, we left the theatre arm in arm. Cameras flashed again, but we hurried toward the limo. Once we were safely tucked away from the crowd, Dani leaned back against the seat and sighed. She was clearly glad the night was over. I watched her more, trying not to be obvious. I was completely mesmerized by her beauty.
“You must have really liked the show,” Dani said, finally breaking the silence that stretched out around us.
“Why do you say that?” I asked.
“You haven’t said a word since we left,” she pointed out. “You’re speechless.”
“I guess so.” She was right. I was speechless, but not for the reasons she thought. I quickly snapped out of it. She was only doing her job by attending the show with me, but it still felt nice to have her by my side.
“Thanks for taking me,” she said politely.
“I think you should meet my parents tomorrow,” I said. “Our pictures will be coming out soon, and my mom and dad should probably meet you before they do.”
Dani swallowed hard. “That’s smart. Tomorrow?”
I nodded. “Yeah. I’ll pick you up and take you over to their house.”
“Okay.” She blew out a breath. “I work the morning shift at the diner, then I’ll work the bookstore until four. So any time after that is good.”
Damn. I’d forgotten that she worked two jobs.
“Now that we’ve basically announced ourselves as a married couple, it doesn’t make sense for you to stay at your apartment.”
She nodded and chewed her lip. “Yeah, we’ve talked about that before.”
“I mean, tonight is fine,” I added when she seemed hesitant. “But maybe, after we see my parents, you can just come back to my place.”
Dani stayed quiet for a few minutes. She looked at me, then out the window, then back at me. I didn’t want to rush her for an answer, but we were already pulling into her apartment complex.
“I know, it’s weird,” I said. “I just think that—”
“No,” she interrupted. “You’re right. Married people don’t live apart. That doesn’t make any sense. It’s fine.”
I smiled, happier than I thought was possible. “Great.”
The driver opened her door and she glanced at me before sliding to the opening. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah.” I reached out and touched her hand. “See you tomorrow.”
Dani climbed out of the limo. I watched her walk toward her door, her dress swishing softly around her body, and realized what a total ass I actually was, allowing her to walk to her door unescorted in that slinky, sexed-up number. I’d also missed the opportunity for a long, hot good night kiss. And maybe more.
Fuck.