Collide (Collide, #1)(73)
Emily convinced herself that she was mentally prepared for this evening; however, she couldn’t have been more wrong. As she and Dillon greeted their guests the night of their engagement party, she found her head becoming dizzy with literal fear. Looking down at her watch, a frantic string of emotions raced through her mind, knowing she would soon face Gavin. The heavy weight of it all had her feeling as though her nerves were beginning to fray like a rope one fiber at a time. Her spinning thoughts slowed when she felt Dillon’s gentle touch brush against her arm. For tonight, she needed to focus on him—and him only—no matter how difficult she knew it would be.
“Are you alright?” he asked, scooping her up into a hug. He planted a kiss on her lips and moved her hair away from her shoulders.
“Yes, I’m fine,” she answered, sliding her hands down the lapels of his black suit.
“Well, you look beautiful tonight,” he crooned. “I just may have you for dessert when this whole thing’s over.”
“I heard that, Dillon,” Lisa’s voice broke through the air, one brow cocked above her hazel eyes. “Please refrain from referring to my baby sister as dessert,” she laughed.
Dillon smirked and pulled Emily in closer. “But she’s so…delectable, Lisa. I mean, honestly, I can’t get enough.”
Emily shook her head and laughed.
“Okay, I seriously don’t need to hear how delectable she is.” She gave Emily a light tug on her arm, effectively releasing her from his hold. “I’d like to speak to my sister in private for a second, if that’s okay with you.”
“She’s all yours,” he replied, branding one last kiss on Emily’s lips.
Reaching for her hand, Lisa led her through the knot of guests that started to trickle into the banquet room. Emily smiled and returned their greetings along the way.
As the two sisters made their way through the party, it was then that Emily noticed Dillon spared no expense for the night. The restaurant was truly beautiful. A mahogany bar was located in the corner of the room set beside a massive window that overlooked New York Harbor. Deep-red leather couches and matching upholstered wingback chairs were scattered throughout. Ornate sconces hung on the walls while an exquisite dimly lit chandelier anchored the room. Adjacent to a baby grand piano echoing music through the air was a glowing fireplace that crackled its warmth in the space, setting the romantic mood for the evening.
After turning a corner that led to an empty hall, they ducked into a vacant room, and Lisa closed the door.
Placing her hands on Emily’s shoulders, Lisa’s eyes softened with genuine concern. “I can tell you’re a nervous wreck.”
She slanted a hand through her hair, the weakest of smiles tipping her lips. “Is it that obvious?”
“Not to others, but I know you better than anyone else,” she said softly, reaching for Emily’s hand. “Is he here yet?”
“No. Believe me, when he’s here, you’ll know it,” she replied with a nervous laugh. Biting her lip, she paused for a moment, her features smoothing, voice low. “I wish Mom was here, Lisa.”
“Oh, sweetie, I do, too,” she whispered, leaning in for a hug. Emily squeezed her tight, her warmth reminding her of the very woman they were still mourning. The grief swelled in Emily’s chest like a fresh bruise. “But, even if she was here, Emily, she’d tell you to go with what your heart wants. She couldn’t make your decision any easier. I just need to know—just like mom would—that this is what you want.”
With the slightest hesitation, she answered, “Yes, I do want this.”
“Okay then, let’s go enjoy your party.” Lisa grabbed for Emily’s hand and started heading back into the main dining room.
Upon emerging, the amount of guests had doubled in size—the majority consisting of family, coworkers, and friends of Dillon. Sure, Emily had met a few of them over the last year, but most were a distant blur of Dillon’s aunts, uncles, and cousins that she had encountered briefly at family gatherings. Essentially, the amount of people Emily knew in attendance could fit at one table.
In a room filled with people, in that moment, she felt oddly alone—until her eyes locked onto Gavin’s. For Emily, the world seemed to stop. The music whispered in the background while voices became muted and unimportant. Again, the undeniable connection between them was apparent from across the space, even if not witnessed by anyone else. It was there—unwavering and unrelenting through their unspoken words. She found it hard to breathe as the overwhelming tidal wave of emotions took hold and pulled her into the current—pounding and roaring with a power greater than she could ever be.
Her eyes swept over him. He was wearing a charcoal-colored suit that covered his built yet graceful frame. Beneath, he wore a white-collared shirt and pinstriped black-and-gray tie. His lustrous dark hair was sexily mussed as if he didn’t bother fixing it after showering. His impressive presence in the room was that of polished power, economical grace, and unyielding demand. He simply was a force that she couldn’t help but notice. Although he had his arm snaked around what Emily believed to be one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen, his eyes were trained on Emily’s, steady and focused. He sent her a smile from across the room that still managed to disarm her, leaving her in a sea of desire, want, and need, struggling to resurface.