Two Bar Mitzvahs (No Weddings #3)(35)

Someone bumped into me, and we both turned toward each other. “Dwight.” I clapped the wild partier on the shoulder. “How goes it post-bunny bash? You get to keep any of those sweet things as play toys afterward?”

He chuckled. “You bet your ass I did—took four of them home that night. But after they saw my palatial digs, I nearly had to evict three of them.”

My brows arched. “Only three?”

Grinning like the devil, he leaned in. “The fourth’s a keeper. Maybe even a potential Mrs. Dwight.” He turned and waved his fingers at a busty redhead dancing with three scantily clad girlfriends.

“You dog. Who knew I’d be the one to hook you up for the long haul.”

On a head tilt, his eyes widened. “You should run a matchmaking service.”

I barked out a laugh. “Ohhh, no. Kristen already thought your party bordered on escort service.” I shook my head, grinning as I glanced over at Hannah. She and her team had begun to cut up the cake and spread plates along the bar. “I’m content playing businessman and advisor to Ben here at the bar and to my sisters, with Invitation Only.”

“You given any thought to consulting others?” He took a sip of what looked to be scotch.

I shifted my full attention back to him. “Actually, I have. Why, got any connections?”

He nodded. “I’ll email you next week. Two of my clients are considering startup ventures. But I know nothing about the risks involved and how they can minimize them. I’ll pass along your contact information, if you’re game.”

Dwight had minted tens of millions of dollars in the short time he’d been doing portfolio management for the upper echelon of wealth worldwide. I blinked, surprised any of his clients would be interested in getting so hands-on in business. “The two clients are unrelated?”

He nodded. “Yep. Bored with watching dollars tick up as they play golf three times a week. They’re wanting a challenge.”

“Ah, gotcha. Yeah.” I shrugged. “Why the f*ck not? Give them my number. I’d love to hear what they’re entertaining and how I might help.” I glanced over his shoulder. “I think your bunny’s getting lonely.”

Dwight turned to catch the impending show. He waved his hands and charged over to her, shouting. “No, Vanessa. Keep your top on, baby. This isn’t one of those parties.”

I snorted, then made my way over to a few crew teammates from college. When I shot a quick glance back toward the bar, I froze.

Hannah was alone, Madison’s face inches from hers with a sneer curling her lips.

I rushed forward through the crowd, and thank f*ck, everyone scrambled out of my way. When I approached within hearing distance over the thumping dance music, I slowed.

Madison had no idea I stood in her blind spot. “…doesn’t matter that you think he’s yours. Nothing’s permanent, honey. Certainly not with what you have to offer him. Look at you.” Madison swept her gaze down and up. “How could any man be satisfied with that for long?”

“Enough,” my primal growl vibrated in my ears.

Madison whirled around, eyes widening. With practiced control, she calmed. “Will it ever be enough, Cade? Will someone who doesn’t understand who you truly are, what your social standing entails, satisfy you? You need someone better than that. Better than her.”

Someone like you? The harsh retort stuck hard in my throat. Instead, I spoke a greater truth. “You never understood who I truly am. You never will. You’ve overstayed your welcome tonight. Time to go—before security throws your ass into a skidding slide on the asphalt.”

An indignant expression flickered over her face. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“I would.” Hannah glared at Madison. “Try me. You have two seconds to vanish before you find out.”

Madison huffed but wisely turned and strode toward the doors after glaring at me, then by the way the sea of people parted before her, it seemed at everyone and everything in her way.

She was gone, but that didn’t mean damage hadn’t already been done.

“Hey.” I gathered Hannah into my arms, kissing her temple. “Don’t let her get to you. She has no idea what she’s talking about.” Concerned, I pulled back, gazing down at her.

Her scowl intensified. “Selfish Bitch.”

“Exactly.” I exhaled, relieved at Hannah’s anger. Anger we could work with. But my gut told me the emotional obstacle course we’d face in the next couple of weeks had only just begun.





16


Night and Day


The following Tuesday, like most mornings after 9:00 a.m., I sat in Ben’s office, getting as much focused work done as possible for both Invitation Only and Loading Zone. Only at the moment, I struggled to ignore the loud clanking sounds from Ed and his maintenance crew as they performed their scheduled grease trap cleanout in the kitchen. By almost 11:30 a.m., I’d dealt with all my emails, put final notes in the business plan draft, and stood to stretch. A burger and fries were in my immediate future.

My phone lit up.

Madison.

Only she wasn’t texting; a call was coming through. I debated ignoring it. Then I just answered the damned thing.

“Yeah?”

“Cade?”

“Yeah, Madison. What do you want?” I sighed. My gruffness came from the shit she pulled Saturday night. And the series of apologetic texts in the days since. Her behavior was bordering on stalkerish.