“Penny for your thoughts,” the bartender said as she refilled his glass.
“Have you got all night?”
The pretty redhead smiled at him. Her eyes were sympathetic, but her body was sending out a whole other message as she pushed out her chest, letting her ample cleavage do all the talking.
Connor was used to this. Used to the attention, and for the most part he liked it. It replaced some of the ugliness of everything that reeked from him. Of course, women like the pretty bartender, they were hoping for their own Prince Charming to come along and save them, but he’d already found his Sleeping Beauty.
“I can be a good listener,” she said as she gazed at him.
“So can my girlfriend.”
“So, it’s not woman trouble?
“Nope.”
Leaning on the counter, the redhead smiled as she gave him a good angle to view her breasts. “Then what could ever have a nice guy like you all troubled?”
“The parentals.”
“Enough said, I got daddy issues too.”
Looking up at her, Connor smiled, signaling for her to refill his glass.
The stool beside him got his attention. As it moved, Connor looked to his left and watched as Mark sat down beside him. “So this is where you’re hiding?”
“Not really hiding, more like drowning my sorrows.”
“Can I have two coffees, please?” Mark asked the redhead, who was more than happy to serve him. “Your mother called. She was pretty pissed.”
“Yup, that’d be her.” Connor sipped at his whiskey. “Did she send you to talk some sense into me?”
“Of course.”
“And are you?”
“No.”
“Good, because I’m picking Molly up in a few hours.”
“Then you don’t need whiskey in your system. You need to get a grip, Connor. If you want to prove a point to your mother, it isn’t going to be found at the bottom of a bottle.”
Connor knew his friend was right. His mother always found a way to fuck with him. If it wasn’t something about his job, then it was about whom she wanted him to be connected with. He was done with it all.
“Then what do you suggest?”
“First of all, drink this.” Mark set the coffee in front of him, pushing the whiskey aside. “Then you take Molly to the gala, show her off and prove to them all that you are capable of making decisions on your own.”
“Sure, Dad,” Connor mocked, which earned him a playful smack on the back of the head.
Throwing down twenty bucks to cover the price of the coffee and a tip, Mark cleared his throat. “Well, Romeo, you going to take the belle to the ball or what?”
The redhead waved goodbye as they left the bar. Once they were outside, Connor’s heart skipped a few beats when he thought of Molly and the fact that he had just downed a good few measures of the one thing she found hard to resist. He felt like a fool. A stupid, childish idiot.
“Tonight’s going to be a disaster,” he mumbled as he got into the passenger side of Mark’s Audi. “My mother will eat Molly alive. You know it and I know it.”
Defeat wasn’t becoming on Connor. In fact, it made him look weak, a glimpse of how self-deprecating he could actually be.
“How the fuck do you know?” Mark snapped as he drove away from the bar, taking Connor back to his apartment. “If you don’t try it, you will never know. If you’re serious about this girl, then you’ve got to introduce her to your world at some point. You can’t hide who you are or where you come from forever.”
“Jesus Christ, Mark, I’m not trying to hide anything. I’m trying to protect her.”
“Then why did you invite her and make such a fuss about bringing her?”
“I got caught up in the moment.”
“You can be such a dick when you want to be. I swear it. As your friend there are times when I just want to kick your ass and tell you to wise the fuck up,” Mark shouted. “This girl, whoever she is, better be worth all the hassle because Cassie has been itching to meet her—”
“What? You told Cassie?”
Mark laughed as he turned onto Connor’s block. “What do you expect? She’s my wife. I tell her everything.”
Connor’s head began to ache as a migraine made its presence known. Holding his fingers against his temple, he closed his eyes. His frame of mind was all over the place. “I think I need to lie down,” he said as Mark stopped the car.
Looking at his friend, Mark sighed. “Connor, you know I’ve got your back, but believe me when I tell you that you need to get your act together. I know things have been bad recently. Hell, I could see that things had changed in you a while ago. But I’m your friend, and I gave you the benefit of the doubt. So for your sake, and Molly’s, straighten yourself out. Don’t allow your mother, father or Marissa to take something that you so obviously care about away from you.”
Connor knew Mark was right. “How come you get to be the grown up all of a sudden?” Connor asked as he looked over at Mark.
“If you hadn’t noticed, I am approaching impending fatherhood, so I’m practicing the pep talks on you.” Mark grinned and the mischievous glint in his eyes eased some of Connor’s burdens. “Now get the fuck outta my car, and go sort yourself out for tonight’s festivities.”
Connor smirked, said nothing as he got out of the car, only to lean back in. “Hey, when you finally get around to talking sense into your kid, you might need to tone it down a little. The whole expressionless look is kinda off-putting.”
Connor walked into his apartment, closed the door behind him, instantly regretting what he was introducing Molly to.
Unbearable, overwhelming dread began to seep through him. He felt as if he were being crushed. If anything happened at the gala, he’d never forgive himself. Not this time.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Will you please stop fidgeting?” Regina chided Molly as she wrapped the last few strands of hair around the curling iron. “I can’t do this if you don’t stop moving.”
“I can’t help it.”
“Of course you can.”
“Easy for you to say,” Molly muttered as she began picking at the skin around her nails.
When anxiety presented itself, Molly was the worst person for pulling herself apart. The unease swirled in her stomach. Her throat burned as she fought the urge to say ‘to fuck with it’ and run away.
“Honey, you will be fine.” Regina tried her best at easing the worry.
“What if I say something stupid? What if I embarrass Connor?”
Letting out a giggle, Regina applied some hairspray to the loose curls she had pinned to the back of Molly’s head. “Honey, these are all natural feelings. You’re only human. Believe me, being nervous will serve you well. It means you won’t be a cocky bitch, which, in my world, is a huge deal.”
Sighing, Molly took a sip of her sweet tea. “Do you think I will fit in? I don’t want to look cheap.”
“Oh, baby girl, when have you ever worried about fitting in? Remember the strong woman you’ve become. Aggie wouldn’t rest well if she thought you were beginning to lose faith in who you are,” Regina said as she rested her hands on Molly’s shoulders. “Honey, you are so beautiful, inside and out. I wish you could see that.”
Molly stared at herself in the mirror. Then she looked up at Regina’s soft face. Her dark eyes sparkled as she gazed at Molly lovingly. Regina had taken over some of the good that Aggie had done. She had stepped up to the plate and made sure that Molly kept her head well above water.
“What would I do without you?” she asked, touching Regina’s hand.
“Probably drop off the face of the earth.”
Molly would always have a special place in her heart for Regina. Aggie and Regina had been lifelong partners, never to be given a chance by society. Their love had made Molly believe that there was a special person out there for everyone, but because of how hard her own life had been, she had always accepted that love and all the joy it brought wasn’t destined for her.
How wrong she had been.
Aggie and Regina, two unlikely souls brought together during the sixties. Their devotion to do-gooding and their mutual taste for standing up for the greater good would always stand the test of time. Molly loved listening to their stories about their wild, younger days. Everything they had made for good memories, and now it was Molly’s turn to make the same kind of memories.
Placing all her anxieties to the back of her mind, Molly began getting ready. Deciding on a little makeup, she applied a nice shade of blue that would complement her dress. Red lipstick finished off the look, making her smile at her reflection. Slipping on her dress, she grinned, knowing she had done something Connor would never expect.
Finally, after a good two hours, she was ready.
A knock at the door echoed through to her room. Molly glanced at the clock and her stomach did a double flip as her heart raced.
Regina’s voice could be heard talking, and Molly instantly recognized Connor’s smooth tone. Not sure of how she wanted to make her entrance, she swallowed hard before grabbing her purse then opened the door and walked down the small hallway that led to the living room.
Regina couldn’t hide the tears as Molly waltzed in. Her dark skin glistened as tears left their mark on her cheeks, pride bursting from the seams.
With wide eyes, Connor couldn’t help but gaze at her. She was without doubt dazzling. She knew it and could see it in the way he responded.
“My God, you look amazing,” his said, his hand shaking as he held it out for her to take.
Regina wiped her eyes with her white handkerchief, her smile a permanent fixture on her face. “I concur, you are stunning.”
“Oh, the pair of you are dorks,” Molly responded, jokingly brushing off their compliments. She wasn’t used to this kind of attention. Granted, it felt good, but it was so very odd.
Molly took Connor’s hand, their palms touching as their fingers entwined. Warmth radiated between them and it was clear to see that they were completely one.
“I am the luckiest man alive,” Connor whispered.
“You are such a sap.” Molly giggled, touching the tip of her nose, trying her best not to be bashful and losing the whole time.
“You two look great together,” Regina said. She walked over to them and touched Molly’s face. “Go and enjoy yourself. You only get one chance in life, so make the most of it when you can.” Winking at Connor, Regina stepped to the door and opened it. “Now get, I have a date with a good book and the Sandman.”
Connor led Molly out of the small apartment and down to their waiting car.
“A limo!” Molly all but yelled when she saw the black limousine parked out front of her apartment block.
“Absolutely. Tonight, we travel in style.” Connor beamed as the chauffeur opened the door.
Molly’s insides began to feel like mush. If Connor was trying to woo her, it was beginning to work. It was as if she were walking on air. A complete transition from her old life. How, in such a short period of time, he had gotten deep under her skin, she’d never know. But the fact that he was there, with eyes only for her, gave her the impression that she was invincible.
* * * *
The Ritz Carlton was lit up as if it were Christmas as the limo pulled outside the main entrance. A red carpet was laid out, ready for the gala patrons to enter the hotel in style. Lavish flowers of lisianthus, hydrangea, gloriosa and saffron crocus were on display on either side of the door—their colors exuded opulence and money.
Walking up the red carpet was a surreal moment. Molly wrapped her arm around Connor’s, holding on for dear life.
“Relax,” he said, looking down at her. “You will be fine. I promise.”
Molly didn’t reply. She placed all her focus on walking, trying her best not to stumble, and already her feet were beginning to ache in the heels that she’d never got a chance to break in.
Champagne was on offer as they entered the grand foyer. Molly’s first instinct was to run to the bathroom, but she fought through it. If she wanted to survive the evening, then she had to deal with the little devil dancing on her shoulder.
Her finely painted fingernails dug into Connor’s arm. Resting his hand on hers, he gave her a gentle smile. “I will look after you.”
Molly let the anxiety go, threw caution to the wind and began relaxing.
“Connor Ellison,” a gruff voice called.
“Jim Franklin.” Connor smiled as he greeted the middle-aged man, shaking his hand firmly. “It’s been a while.”
“A year,” Jim replied as he scanned the foyer. “Where’s the old bastard hiding?”
Connor laughed as Molly looked on, curious.
“Probably following an order or two from the old ball and chain,” Connor said, making Jim laugh.
“And who’s this pretty little lady?”
“How rude of me, Jim, this is my girlfriend, Molly,” he introduced Molly. “Molly, this is Jim Franklin, an old family friend. Don’t trust him.”
Winking at Molly, Jim reached out and took her hand. “I hope you’re keeping this crook in check.”
Molly laughed nervously.
“He’s joking,” Connor said as he pulled her in close, wrapping an arm around her waist.
“Don’t mind me, sweetheart, I’m an old fool.” Jim smiled at her. “Now I’d better go find your father and figure out how much money your mother wants from us all tonight.”
“Millions!” Connor said, smiling the whole time.
“That’d be right.” Jim walked away, still laughing as he greeted another few people.
“Sorry about that,” Connor said as he led Molly toward the grand ballroom.
“He’s funny.”
“You sure?”
Connor looked at her.
“Yup.”
“You ready to meet the parentals?” Connor asked, his voice now a little softer.
Molly, as much as she tried not to show it, became so nervous she thought she’d throw up then and there, but little did she know that was to be the least of her worries.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Holding Molly’s hand tight, Connor entered the ballroom. The colors were bright, bold and lavish and it was evident that his mother had not spared any expense. When she did these events, she went all out.
The room was beginning to fill, but his mother still saw him, standing there with Molly, and like a bullet, she went straight for the kill.