I'll Be Seeing You (30 page)

"Maddie has shorter dark hair, so what they did was add some volume and curls, and added a shiny silver head band as an accessory. The color is really pretty next to her dark hair, and the look is young and fresh. Her eyes are smoky, like yours, with a dark purple shadow. She looks really pretty."

"Thanks, Laura," Maddie says. "You described it perfectly."

"There's only one way to describe Lillian, and that's elegant. Her hair is a light brown, with copper hues in it, just like Matthew's. She has longer hair than Maddie, but not by much. It's full with rich waves through it and is styled away from her face, like a warm breeze is blowing her hair. Her bangs are combed to the left and have a nice, large wave through them."

"Sounds lovely, Lillian," I say, smiling at her.

"Laura's hair is blonde and long, as you know," Maddie begins. "She has it styled in the old classic movie star style. Sleek, with only a few waves through it. There is not one hair out of place. Her hair parts on the left and her bangs combed with the part, giving them a dramatic lift. I wish you could have seen Jennifer Rabbit, because that's exactly what her hair looks like," Maddie says, finishing her description.

"Joy, let's leave your shield off since Maddie will be placing the new one on when we get home, all right?" I nod in agreement, knowing it didn't make sense to put it on just to turn around and take it off again in an hour. It feels good feeling the fresh air on my face.

"Oh, dear, look at the time. We have to go, girls. It's three-thirty," she says. Rushing to the dressing room, we hurry to dress and I’m grateful I wore a zip-up not wanting to mess up my hair and makeup. My stomach has butterflies of excitement now that it's almost time to get dressed for the ball.

"Son, have you told Jessie about your visitor yesterday?" Dad asks, looking between Jessie and me.

"Not yet,” I answer suspiciously, curious as to why he would bring this up now.

"Who?" Jessie asks, curiously.

"Emma cornered Matthew in the parking garage yesterday," Dad explains. "It seems she wants to be a part of Matthew's life again and wants to take part in his project."

"No shit?!" Jessie exclaims, leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “She told you this?"

I nod, taking a sip of my coffee. "Oddly, she knows about my plans for Joy’s surgery, too."

"How?" Brian joins in, concern in his voice.

"I haven't a clue. Someone told her though." I look at Jessie as he sits back with his hands in the air as if he's surrendering.

"It wasn't me, bro. I haven't said a word."

"Me either," Brian volunteers. "Who else knows about it?"

"Just you guys, and Laura, of course," I answer.

"Laura would never say anything," Brian clarifies.

"I know she wouldn't." I know Laura and Brian would never say anything, knowing the outcome if they did. To say Joy would be upset is an understatement, and they don't want to be around for that.

"Well, she got her information from someone … somewhere." I sit back and contemplate who would have that information. "Thank God she couldn't get a ticket to the ball.”

"What's up, Dad?" I ask when I notice his frown.

"I just can't believe she said those disgusting things. She's not the same girl I knew ten years ago."

"I know. She was pretty brazen with what she said to you." I shake my head at the memory.

"What did she say?" Brian asks.

"Well, let's put it this way: she offered a three-way with me and my dad and said Mom could watch."

I smirk when Jessie starts choking on his orange juice then cringe because I know that shit burns coming out the nose.

"It surprised the hell out of me, having her standing there in the garage and the way she spoke to us — I've never heard her talk like that before. There's something wrong with her, and I'm pissed off at myself for not getting that restraining order yesterday. I was preoccupied with Joy when Emma showed up in front of her apartment.

"What?" Brian belts out, sitting up straight on the couch.

"Yeah, after she left the garage, she went and sat in front of Joy's apartment. Mom called and said she saw her. When dad and I got there, she was already gone and by the time we finished with lunch and shopping at Pikes, I totally forgot I was going to get the Order."

"You need to get down there first thing Monday, Matthew," Jessie says firmly.

"I know. I will, I promise," I say that more for Brian's benefit than for Jessie's.

"Well, boys, I've got some errands to run before the ball," Dad says, smacking his hands on his thighs before getting up from the couch.

"I do, too," I add. "Do we want to go together or separately?"

"It depends on where you need to go. We can decide from there."

"I have to stop by the jewelers to pick up a necklace I ordered for Joy. I’m also getting a manicure, then the barbers for a shave and a haircut," I say, gazing into three sets of eyes now boring into mine.

"A necklace?" Jessie coughs.

"A manicure?" Brian echoes with the same tone as Jessie.

"Yes, boys. Jewels for the women are customary and being well groomed is a compliment to your woman. You will do well following Matthew's suit," my dad adds. "I think I'll ride along with you, Matthew. If my girl is out there getting herself beautiful for me, the least I can do is the same for her."

"Dude, the jewelers? You're going to make us look bad," Jessie whines.

"I'll tag along with you, Matthew. I can't have you upstaging me. Maddie already thinks you walk on water," Brian says, getting up and putting his cup in the dishwasher.

"I guess I better go too. Laura will never let me hear the end of it if I don't do my nails all prissy like you guys."

I smile at Jessie, knowing it will bother him that I got jewelry for Joy, but I learned from the best. My father always said to buy your girl something pretty for events like this. I remember that every time he and Mom went to a function, it was earrings, bracelet, or a necklace he put on her.

After the jewelers, we get a haircut, shave, and our manicures, before heading off to pick up Brian's tuxedo.

"That was my first manicure," Brian says, looking at his hands. "Man, what a difference. I can't believe Maddie let me touch her with those nails."

"Brian, Maddie's father is in the car. You might want to keep those types of comments to yourself," I say, looking at him in the rear view mirror as he sputters and blushes.

"That's not what I meant, and you know it. I would never say anything like that about Maddie. I'm just saying that my nails were all jagged, and my hands were rough," he mutters still checking out his nails.

I smirk at him as if saying ‘yeah sure’ then look at my dad, who’s scolding me by glaring at me through the corner of his eye.

"Leland, I would never disrespect Maddie. Sir." That ‘sir’ got a laugh out of all of us.

"You can quit sucking up now, son but keep your hands off my daughter, no matter how smooth they are," my dad says to Brian, trying to sound stern.

The look on Brian's face is priceless. I don't know if it is fear, shock, or disbelief. I can actually see him pondering whether he should truly keep his hands off her.

"Dude, he's bullshittin' you, man," Jessie says, coming to his rescue. "Don't piss yourself."

I haven't heard my dad laugh that hard in a long time.

"So, dad, I had champagne delivered to the spa for the girls. Do you think Mom will like that?" I ask quietly.

"Oh, she’ll love it. I just wish I had thought of it. You are outshining us all in the man-points, Matthew," he says, punching my arm.

"What did you do now, Mattie?" Jessie bellows the name that normally only his sister and mother use. He says it in a tone that one would think he said ‘you piece of shit!’

"He one-upped us again by ordering champagne for the ladies today," my dad answers for me.

"What else did you do, Matthew?" Brian asks as he pushes the back of my head, laughing at me.

"Um …"

"Oh, hell," Jessie says. "What else did you do?"

"It was for Joy."

"What, Son?"

"I let them know that her favorite scent was honeysuckle, so they will have that in her room when she gets her massage."

I laugh when they all punch my arm and smack the back of my head.

"You pussy," Jessie teases.

"That's right. I'm whipped," I say, sitting high and proud in the driver's seat.

~.~

Joy and Lillian are the first to walk through the door and when Lillian shouts for the boys, they don’t answer.

“They aren’t back yet. That gives us time to dress in peace.”

"Laura, Maddie, let's plan on dressing in the third guestroom, all right? I don't want to dress with Matthew. I want to surprise him."

"Got it." Laura acknowledges.

Making my way upstairs to retrieve my dress, shoes and accessories, I carry my cargo to the designated dressing room. I’ve decided to forego wearing underwear tonight because, one, the back of the dress is cut so low that you can't wear a bra and, two, the material is so flimsy, I don't want anything to show, and that includes panty lines.

"Come girls, let's have a glass of wine before we get ready, shall we?" Lillian says just before she pops the cork. I pass since I’ve already had two glasses of champagne at the spa, but join them in the living room. When the door opens, Conrad makes his way over to me, laying his snout on my thigh.

"Hey, boy," I coo, bending down to rub his ears knowing he loves that. He closes his eyes, pushing his head into my hand, begging for more.

"Hey, baby,” Matthew practically moans in my ear. “Don't you look beautiful with your hair all up and sexy?" Nibbling on my neck, he then sprinkles kisses along my face.

"Hey, you." I respond, exposing my neck, feeling the rush of goosebumps tingle my skin.

After the men join us for a glass of wine, Lillian suggests we head upstairs to begin getting ready.

"Oh, my word, Joy. God, I wish you could see this. Wait, I'm going to take a picture," Laura says just before I hear the camera on her cell phone click. "It's for Matthew. He would enjoy having this, I think," she explains as she takes a few more.

"Joy, you have no idea how beautiful you look. The blue-green color of the dress looks beautiful against your dark hair, and the diamond-studded pins in your hair adds a touch of elegance—" she adds before she’s interrupted by someone knocking on the door. Just as the door opens, Lillian and Maddie walk in and begin fawning over me as well. I know I'm blushing because I can feel the heat on my cheeks.

"I want to place the shield over your eye, Joy. Do you have time to do that now?" Lillian asks.

“Yep. Let’s do it.”

Using the special glue that Matthew provided, she presses the new shield into place. I'm impressed with how firm and secure it stays, making me feel more comfortable and confident that it won't fall off.

"Okay,” I begin, rising from the chair. “Let's go greet our handsome men, shall we?"

Lillian places my hand into the crook of her arm, leading me down the stairs where we hear the boys whistle, making comments as they watch.

Once I place my foot on the last step, Matthew takes my hand, asking me to follow him into his office for a private moment. After the door shuts quietly behind us, he takes me into his arms and holds me tightly.

"There are no words to describe how utterly beautiful you are. You make me very proud, do you know that? I'm honored to say that I am yours." He kisses my forehead, but something tells me he isn't finished. "From the moment I saw you in the café, I knew I wanted you for my own. Thank you for allowing Conrad to have a treat that day." I giggle at his reference of the day we met.

"I have a gift for you, sweetheart." He takes my hand and turns it palm side up, placing a large velvet box in it. Running my fingertips over the soft material, he lets out a deep sigh of exasperation at how long it’s taking me. When I finally open it, Matthew describes the necklace made of stones and beads and the matching earrings.

“I’ve never received a gift like this before,” I say trying not to cry.

"Here, let me put it on you." I feel the weight of the necklace. It quickly warms as it lies against my skin. "The stones are blue-green Tourmaline crystals." I can't resist touching it as he describes them to me. After I secure the clasp of the necklace, he places the earrings in my hand and I lock them in place too. He then places a gentle kiss on my lips.

"Thank you."

Matthew catches the tear that slips from my eye before it ruins my makeup, and kisses me once more. Running my hands up his muscular chest, the soft material of his tuxedo distracts me. I smile and breathe deeply, inhaling my favorite scent on him. It takes me back to the first days when he would enter the café.

"You deserve to be showered in gifts," he says, giving me one more kiss to my brow. "You have no idea how much pleasure I'm going to have removing this dress from your beautiful body tonight, Ms. Johnson."

“Probably as much pleasure I’m going to have when you do, Dr. Davis.”

"It's time to go," he says somewhat reluctantly. Taking my hand and placing it in the crook of his arm, he escorts me out to join the others.

"Joy got some jewelry," Maddie squeals when we enter the room. When the girls come over to see the details of the necklace, I ask Laura to describe Matthew to me. She takes me off to the side, away from everyone.

"Well, you remember when I told you how handsome I thought he was?"

"Yes."

"He has bypassed handsome and went straight to freaking beautiful, Joy. Damn, he sure knows how to wear a tux, babe. Be prepared to have your man flirted with. He's wearing a black Gucci, with satin lapels. The jacket falls below that ass of his, and it fits him perfectly. He has an hourglass shape and the suit is a classic fit. His pants have a satin stripe down the outside of his legs that match his lapels, and his shoes are shiny black leather. His shirt is stark white, and he's wearing a classic black bow tie. His hair, which he normally wears in a chaotic mess, parts on the side now, with his bangs a little spiked. It looks cute on him. The buttons on his shirt are black studded onyx with matching cuff links. You two look beautiful together, Joy."

"Thank you, Laura. You give the best descriptions. He does look handsome, doesn't he?"

"Yes, very. Jessie looks beautiful too. His fuck hot bod looks sexy in that tux. God, I hope I make it through the evening with this dress in one piece." We both giggle and hug, making our way back to the party.

"Hey, what's going on over there?" Jessie shouts our way.

"We're coming," Laura says, taking me back to Matthew.