BEAU LOOKED UP at his painting as he tightened his bow tie. He’d been hoping to get away with a suit instead of a tux for the Silvera’s party but unfortunately that didn’t work out. Black tie was black tie, he was told.
Though Cora did say he could wear whatever he wanted, it wasn’t as if he planned to do that and agitate her parents or make them feel he was disrespecting them. His only consolation was that all his male friends attending would be similarly uncomfortable.
“What do you think?” she asked, coming out of her closet wearing a dress he’d given her for Christmas. One shouldered. Asymmetrical neck. Navy blue, which she wore very well. It showed off her shoulders and some of her ink, as well as her new watch. He loved her legs so the hem skimmed along at midthigh. She looked like a piece of art herself.
“I think that dress was made for you. You’re beautiful. Which is true all the time, of course. But right now you’re particularly gorgeous.”
“You know my feelings about you in a tux. And if you recall we didn’t play James Bond after the wedding. Damn.”
“That’s because you were driven by your ever-present lust to open presents early.”
Her smile, damn, he’d give her anything for one of those open, silly, affectionate Cora smiles.
“My priorities were...momentarily different. Plus I wanted to give you your painting. And you can’t lie and say it wasn’t totally a Day of Delight. Tonight though.” She groaned. “Damn. Well, naturally after the party we’re headed back here to have people over to watch fireworks. I’m not going to make you wear it for hours longer than you have to just so I can play my dirty games with you after. For damn sure I’m taking these heels off when we get home.”
“The difference between you and me there, I guess. See, I’m willing to wear a tux all damned day if it led to sex with you. However, as I own the tux, I’ll put it on whenever you feel like being interrogated.”
She smiled again. This one was her sex smile and he adored that one too.
“What if I want to be the one interrogating you, Mr. Bond?” She slid a hand up the front of his chest.
“Fine with me.” He held his hands up in surrender and she hugged him, laughing.
“It’s nice that we’ll be able to set up with our blankets and stuff and watch the show from the front yard here. I loved that about my town house but my porch wasn’t as nice as it is here and it was far more cramped. And the house here is big enough that if everyone wanted to stay over instead of drive home they could quite easily.”
Satisfaction settled into his bones as he realized it was the fact that he’d given her a home she liked and wanted to share with their friends. It still surprised him when that hit. Each time she was pleased by something in that way it appealed to him on some primitive mate level. Sometimes when he made a recipe that she really truly loved, it felt like he was presenting her with gold and jewels. Tribute to his beloved.
Cora took off her shoes and stood on the second step of the staircase to the upper floor. She’d discovered that it brought them face-to-face. “You just had an expression that said you were deep thinking about something. But you were smiling so I figure it was good?”
Another thing he’d still found himself surprised by was the way she checked in with him. Not in a domineering sense, but Cora wasn’t one to not ask if he looked upset or puzzled or what have you.
It was still so very intense with her, but it wasn’t overwhelming, and better, it was tempered by the way they’d been growing as a couple. He’d never lived with a woman other than his wife and that had been, well, far different than what he and Cora shared.
Cora’s energy made him happy. He liked the evenings when she got home from the gallery and he made them dinner. It was blessedly normal and their time to talk about the day. But Cora never made anything boring. She always had a story, or a bit of poetry she’d written, a photo she’d taken while out and about, whatever. She shared herself with him.
“I was just thinking about how being with you made me happy,” he told her, leaning in quickly to kiss her.
“Oh well, that is a nice thing for a gal to hear. You make me happy too.”
Jezzy barked a few times just to let them know she was happy, as well.
“I need to get back to the gallery just to be sure everything is running smoothly,” she said.
Cora had already been to the gallery for a full day’s work before closing and getting the crew in to set up for the party.
“All right. I’ll drive so you can have as many glasses of champagne as you like,” he told her.
Someone needed to take care of her. Walda kept on telling everyone this party was all hers, all her idea and planning, but it was Cora who’d implemented all that Walda cloud talk into solid plans. Cora who’d organized and checked in with all the various caterers, florists and service staff.
And she’d done it while also running the gallery and having a very full social life with him and their friends. She wasn’t getting enough sleep and the stress of Walda’s demands had worn her a little thin at the edges.
Tomorrow when they finally got up—and having a dog meant they couldn’t sleep until two in the afternoon—he planned to make them both brunch, which they’d eat while watching movies and the parade. She needed rest and some spoiling and he would be sure she got it.
She came down the steps and got her shoes on once more. “I mean if you want to drive, thank you and I’ll take your offer because then I don’t have to walk from my town house. Just be advised the parking tonight is going to be impossible. Between all the clubs and restaurants and people headed into Seattle Center for the fireworks at midnight, it’s probably best if you park at the town house when you come back for the party. Go have a drink with everyone over at Whiskey Sharp once you drop me off though. Just come when they do. Otherwise you’re stuck at the gallery for another hour and a half while I bark orders at people.”
“You totally underestimate how hot it is to watch you bark orders at people. Even when it’s me. I have some calls to make. I’ll hang out in your office and do that while you do your thing. Don’t waste any more of my time by trying to do me a favor by sending me to Whiskey Sharp,” he said to forestall her argument.
The truth was, he wasn’t entirely sure how Walda would act and he wanted to provide some backup in case it was unpleasant. Yes, Cora could handle it and she did on a regular basis—though not nearly as selfishly enough as she should in his opinion. But his being there would underline that he was always going to be at Cora’s defense should that be necessary.
Even if it was her mother who needed to hear that point. Jesus, the woman called Cora all the time for the most petty of bullshit. Just to be sure Cora was there. He wanted to tell her that she could assure herself that her kid was there by having lunch with her instead of trying to make her responsible for Walda’s entire fucking life. But it would start a mess and Cora didn’t need that.
He and Cora’s mother would have a set-to at some point. She pushed but he didn’t react. So far. But Beau wasn’t under any misapprehension that she wasn’t just thinking about what would get him to dance to her little tune.
* * *
NATURALLY BEAU DROPPED her right out front of the gallery before telling her he’d park at the town house and walk from there.
She was still smiling as she walked into the main room that’d been decorated to her mother’s precise instructions. Her coat and bag went into the closet in her office, as did her shoes, which she traded for flat slide-on slippers.
Out in the gallery, she quickly intervened in some sort of kerfuffle between the bartender and the caterer and was still untangling it when her mother came in.
“It’s very vulgar to have this sort of thing happening in front of party guests,” Walda said once Cora had solved the problem.
Cora wasn’t going to be goaded into some battle of wills over this petty crap. “There are no guests here yet. It was a basic problem—it took a basic solution. We’re good. Would you like me to make you a plate? Get you some tea?”
“Make me a plate with all the appetizers being served tonight,” her mother said. “I want to be sure everything is up to my standards.”
“I’ll do that,” Beau said. Cora hadn’t even heard him come out of her office, where he’d headed once he’d arrived. “Good evening, Mrs. Silvera. You look lovely tonight,” he called out with a wave before he turned to deal with the food.
“He’s here early,” her mom said.
It had snowed so hard on Christmas Day they’d had to drop out of the day with her family because the roads had been a mess. She still hadn’t told them about moving in with Beau, but they most certainly knew she was in a serious relationship with him.
Which was probably why her mom was acting a fool.
“He drove me in to save me trying to find a parking spot. Dropped me right out front.”
“There’s a spot here at the gallery, why would he have to do that?”
Beau had returned to hear the last part of the interchange so he replied, “The spot your car is in now? Cora wanted to keep it available so you and John could park there and not have to worry about a long walk in your formal wear.”
Then he handed her a plate with all the things being served during the party with a flourish and a slight bow.
Cora’s heart was still pounding after the way he’d just answered her mom’s question but also put her in her place.
“The caterer said to let her know what you think,” Beau said as he straightened. “If you need to handle anything else, I’ve got your mom,” he told Cora.
“I don’t need handling,” her mom said.
Cora looked down at the plate in her mother’s hand and then back to her face. Was it simply that her mother had no idea how things showed up in her life? She was so used to being taken care of she didn’t even see it as people doing things for her? She never worried about parking spots or food, even the party she was standing in that Cora had done all the work for she didn’t see as being handled.
“Go on,” Walda said with a wave of her hand. “You need to change out of those ratty slippers before anyone sees them and thinks they’re a reflection of the work on my walls.”
“So, Mrs. Silvera, how do you like those crab bites?” Beau asked her, snagging her attention.
Cora stood there for another few moments, debating, but in the end, she took the reprieve he’d handed her and moved off to handle other things—including changing into her heels.
Beto came into her office with a smile and a hug. “Hello, my darling. You look gorge. What’s happening tonight? Can I help?”
“This old thing?” She indicated her dress. “A present from Beau. Also, you look fantastic, as well. Silvera men do know how to wear tuxedos. As for help? I’m good. We’re ready to go. People should be arriving any moment.”
He linked arms with her as they headed back out to the gallery.
“By the way,” Cora said quietly, “Beau and I have moved in together. I haven’t told anyone else in the family yet because it’s a face-to-face sort of conversation, but I wanted you to know.”
And she understood her brother enough that she was certain his reaction would be pleased and she wasn’t disappointed when he stopped to give her a hug and a kiss on her cheek.
“I like this Cora. Happy. Passionate and totally in charge of your future. Dad and I are going to your boyfriend’s, uh, your house I suppose, to look over the lot and get some ideas about our design.”
“Excellent. Then you can meet Jezzy—that’s the dog I keep texting you pictures of—in person. She should know her uncle. You will love her. Or lie about it because she’s like my kid and that’s part of the sibling rule book.”
“I can’t tell you if your baby is ugly when you have one? That’s some bullshit, Cora,” Beto teased.
“You’ve seen my man. We aren’t making any ugly babies.”
“But you will be making babies? I mean, moving in is a big step but it seems to me you’re doing just fine with that. I’ve just not seen you so, I don’t know, solid in your choices. At ease in a way you haven’t been.”
Cora had figured she’d have kids one day. She’d hopefully find the right man, but if not, she’d do it on her own if she really wanted to. But being around Beau every day, watching him nurture and protect the people and canine he loved, had convinced her she’d very much be interested in making babies with him.
“Not like tomorrow. Or even this coming year. But yeah, at some point I think I do want to make tiny humans with Beau.” After the history he’d had with his sons, she knew the choice to have more children would be one Beau might not make for a while, if ever. But they’d talked lightly of it and he hadn’t seemed opposed to the concept. There was time to figure it out.
“This is the real deal. Wow. I’m insanely jealous, but also really truly happy for you. If anyone deserves a happily-ever-after, it’s you.”
“It’s still early days. I’m good with a dog and a house right now as he does his new show and I dig in here at the gallery. It’s all I can manage at the moment anyway. I figure I’ll get some great practice when Rachel has the baby too,” Cora said.
“You’re killing this adulting gig,” Beto told her.
“Ha! Not so much. But I’m muddling through.”
* * *
THE PARTY WAS in full swing as their friends and family and favorite clients moved around the gallery, drinks in hand, food in bellies. Walda had calmed down a little once people had begun to arrive, and then sought her out to compliment her and thank her for being invited.
Sure, she acted like she was a queen, which rankled Beau a little. But she also remembered little details about people’s lives. Asked about this or that trip they’d taken, how their families were.
She was eccentric and sharp-tongued, entitled too. But she was also generous and warm when she wanted to be. It was why Beau still tipped toward liking her even when she was a bitch to her daughter.
“Tell me, Beau, do you have any contact at all with your family?” Walda asked him.
“Yes, with some cousins who live on the East Coast. I have friends here who are as close as family. A nice bonus to being with Cora is that her friends and mine overlap so my entrance into her social life has been easier, as has hers into mine.”
Cora’s father nodded. “I can see how that would be true. We quite like Cora’s friends, including Gregori and Wren, who we also have known through the art community.”
“Gregori’s paintings are in huge demand. He’s immensely talented.” Walda’s comments weren’t calculated at all. They were genuine admiration for his friend’s work and in her way, he realized she was trying to find common ground with him.
Not that he would let his guard down. Walda was jealous of him and that made her dangerous at times. Petulant and impatient, she was quick to complain and very at ease with using emotional manipulation to get what she wanted.
Cora had given her mother all her attention. Now Cora had shifted to the gallery and to him. Walda had to share her daughter and it was hard on a person so used to being catered to.
John was a good influence on her, the laid-back charm to her high-strung eccentricity. He clearly loved her, and to her credit, she clearly loved him too. But it was time for the man to hold to the promises he’d made and take the weight Cora had been carrying since she’d been a teenager.
“I’m happy to say I’ve got a few of his early paintings. Even happier to say I now live in a house and property that can do justice to one of Gregori’s sculptural pieces. Cora is going to have him work with your design plans to create a custom work for us. I don’t want to mar the view, but there are several spots in the front and in the back of the house I think would enhance both the landscape design and the sculpture, as well. I’m excited to work with you and Beto on that.”
“I hadn’t thought about a big piece in your yard, but yes, that does sound like a fantastic idea,” John said.
Cora came over to them then. “As always, this is a great party. Happy New Year, Pai.” She hugged her father and came to sit at Beau’s side.
“I was just about to tell your parents that it was your idea to have one of Gregori’s sculptural pieces as an outdoor piece of art,” Beau explained.
Cora brightened, leaning into his side a moment. “Wait until you see this house. Because it’s on one of the highest spots in the neighborhood, it’s got absolutely gorgeous water views to the west, north and south with the Space Needle and downtown. We’re watching fireworks from that spot later tonight.”
“You’re very involved with this process, Cora,” her mother said. “He said we a few times but I hope he realizes the type of services you’re providing with design and curation are of a type few are fortunate enough to have. You’ll be increasing his home value and the value of his collection.”
As backhanded compliments went, it was a winner and it landed with a slight flinch he only felt because Cora leaned against his side.
“Beau and I are living together. It’s my house too. So naturally I’m involved. He’s got great taste, which you’ll see when we have you all over for dinner. He already has a fantastic collection but when mine is added and we flesh out the rest, it’ll be stunning.”
“What did you say? Living together?” Walda narrowed her gaze and her husband put a hand on her arm with a soft murmur.
“Yep. I wanted to tell you when we came over on Christmas but then the snow happened and things got pushed back.”
“Your phone hasn’t been broken,” Walda said.
“No. But I wanted to tell you in person, and today was the first time I’ve seen you since.”
“How long?”
“Officially it’s only been two weeks so it’s not as if I’ve been hiding it for months,” Cora explained.
“Are you out of your head? Cora, you barely know this man. What are you doing with your town house?” her mother demanded.
“I have a yearlong lease in place. My tenant will move in tomorrow.”
“What if things go wrong? You’ll be homeless.”
“Mom.” Cora paused and took a steadying breath. “I am fortunate enough to have resources should things not work out and I need to move. I have several friends and two siblings living nearby. I can easily stay with one of them. I have money, a job and good credit so I will be able to locate alternate housing for myself should the need arise. I appreciate your worry, but I’m a grown woman. I’ve been taking care of myself—and you—for a long time.”
Walda looked to Beau. “So here you are nesting in your new money house and your sweater vest and your art world girlfriend. You swoop in because you were bored with your old life. Cora is a novelty and when you are done? When you get tired of sweater vests? When nesting loses its charms, along with my daughter? When you go back to the life you had before, wallowing in easy sex and too much alcohol?”
“Enough!” Cora said, her tone deadly sharp. “You’re being rude and disrespectful to not only me, but Beau.”
“I’m trying to figure out what he’s doing with you. If that’s disrespectful I can’t help it. He could just answer my questions,” Walda shot back.
“Your questions were rude. And based on the assumption that he couldn’t possibly just want to be with me because I am nice and smart and I make him laugh. Based on the assumption that should we break up, like people do from time to time, it would be because he wronged me terribly and I’d be too weak to suck it up and move on like everyone else who deals with heartbreak. He’s not a monster. I am not fragile. I am not gullible and I am absolutely awesome enough for someone to love me.”
If Beau hadn’t already loved her, that impassioned defense of herself and of their relationship would have been the final thing that got him there.
“Stop this before you say something you can’t take back,” Cora’s dad told Walda in a quietly firm tone.
“Ma’am,” Beau said, “I believe with all my heart that you love Cora and you want to protect her so I’m going to choose not to be offended and to address some of the things you asked.”
Cora turned to him, “You don’t have to do this. Her questions were insults.”
He kissed her quickly. “It’s okay. Really.”
Cora sucked in a breath, and then nodded for him to go on.
“I made the decision to move up here before I knew Cora lived in Seattle. I was already working on a new show and cookbook concept with a Northwest flavor. I just signed a contract yesterday for a show—filming here—and the cookbook, which Cora will be doing the photography for. Did she tell you that? It’s going to be amazing. I know you both would be proud that Cora’s talent was being recognized.”
Her father smiled and said something to Walda softly that erased some of the anger on her face.
“Our home is beyond my wildest expectations. I grew up with pretty much nothing, so to have been able to live the way I do and share that life with Cora has been something I am very much grateful for. I have no plans to kick Cora out or dump her. In stark contrast to the idea that I’d get bored, I should tell you she fascinates me multiple times a day, every day. She makes me laugh. She is the kind of partner I never figured I’d have.” Or be worthy of. “I won’t apologize for my romantic life before I began seeing Cora. It’s frankly none of your business. I don’t need to explain or get permission for my choices. Not from you. But I will tell you that I am with Cora because I love her. The only secret about it is how on earth I merited such a person.”
Walda said nothing as he stared at her, and then he finally shrugged. She’d do what she wanted and he’d stay out of it unless it involved him or it hurt Cora and he could make it better. All he could do was be the kind of person who Cora could love.
Walda would have to let go of this petty need to slap out when she wasn’t getting her way, or when she got scared. Cora was patient long past sainthood with her mother, but eventually she would end up distancing herself from them and neither would benefit in the long run from that.
“I have guests to visit with,” Cora’s mother said before getting up and flouncing away.
John gave his daughter a kiss on the cheek, and then he held his hand out for Beau to shake, which he did. “I apologize on her behalf and I want to congratulate you because my Cora is perfect and you’re very lucky to have her. Her mother will come around. She’s hurting right now but soon enough she’ll realize she’s been wrong. She’s strong willed but not without integrity.”
“What do you say we get out of here early? Go home, change into our warm clothes and get ready for our friends to come over so we can watch fireworks?” Cora asked as she turned to him. “Then I can thank you for everything you said and if I cry it’s in private.”
“Let me go first. I’ll get the car and pick you up out front in ten minutes?” He’d run to the car just to get her the hell out of that place and away from her mother.
“I can walk in heels you know. And I have sneakers in my office too.”
“Say your goodbyes and meet me out front in ten minutes.” He kissed her and made a quick escape.