Collide (Collide, #1)(86)

Emily smiled sheepishly. “Thank you,” she breathed out, grasping onto her clutch. “You look great, too.”

“Why, thank you.” He smiled. “Shall we?”

With mild trepidation, she nodded, as he tucked her hand in the crook of his arm.

He led her across the room, pausing briefly to engage in conversations with some of the guests who stopped him. Along the way, he introduced Emily to a few of the families that his mother’s foundation had helped over the years. Their smiling faces showed their gratitude in every way possible. Among the guests were some of New York’s leading breast cancer researchers, organizations, and a few politicians whose families had been affected by the disease. With the subject hitting so close to home, Emily felt awestruck at the generosity Gavin and his family extended to those in need.

“Emily, you remember my brother, Colton, and his wife, Melanie,” Gavin said, pulling out a chair for her.

Nodding, Emily reached across the table and shook their hands. “I do. It’s nice seeing you both again.”

“You, too,” Melanie replied. “My children have actually asked for you quite a few times.”

Emily smiled. “They have?”

Draping his arm over the back of Melanie’s chair, Colton answered, “They sure have. They said you’re the best soccer player in the world.”

“That’s too funny,” Emily laughed. “Well, tell them I said hello. I’ll have to muster up another soccer game with them.”

Gavin smirked and took a seat next to Emily. “Don’t let her fool you. If I recall, I’m the one who taught you how to play soccer.” Looking at her, he shot her a wink.

Emily smiled and shook her head.

“Ah, yes, brother-in-law, take all the credit.” Melanie laughed, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder. “Emily, be forewarned that all the males in the Blake family try to take credit for anything they can.” Emily quirked a brow in Gavin’s direction, and he laughed. “But, for right now, this Blake woman is about to take credit for teaching her husband how to dance.” Melanie rose from her seat and reached for Colton’s hand. “Aren’t I right, sweetie?”

Standing up, Colton curled his arm around her waist and planted a kiss on her head. “I have two left feet, so yes, I’ll give you credit for trying to teach me how to dance.”

“Don’t fall flat on your ass, brother,” Gavin yelled out as the couple moved to the dance floor.

Colton turned around, effectively flipping the bird in Gavin’s direction.

“Hmm, do I sense sibling rivalry?” Emily asked.

“All-out sibling rivalry,” he answered, motioning one of the waiters over. “I revel in any chance I get to make him look like a clown.”

“You’re too much,” she laughed.

Gavin smiled mischievously. “I know, but he deserves it.”

The waiter approached the table with a bottle of expensive bubbly in tow and a towel draped over one arm.

“What would you like to drink?” Gavin asked.

Knowing she and Gavin didn’t mix well with liquor, Emily figured she would keep it light. “Actually, I’ll just take an ice water.”

He creased his brows. “Are you sure?”

With an answering smile, she nodded.

After ordering himself bourbon on the rocks, Gavin leaned back in his chair and looked at her. “I’m happy to see you’re no longer sick.”

“Thank you. That was a rough few days.”

“I’m sure it was,” he replied, knowing they were hard enough for her without adding illness to it. “I stopped by the restaurant to check in on you, and Fallon said you’d already left.”

“I know. I meant to call you, but it completely slipped my mind. I’m sorry about that.”

“No need to apologize. I just wanted to make sure you were doing alright.”

“Well, thank you for checking on me,” she smiled and placed a napkin over her lap. “I truly appreciate it. But I’m okay, honestly.”

She may have smiled, but Gavin couldn’t see a trace of happiness in her eyes. Throughout the evening, he kept the conversation with her on lighter topics, staying as far away from anything that had to do with Dillon. Gavin learned that, although her teaching position was supposed to be full time, it fell through, and she would only be working part time as a substitute for now. Either way, she seemed happy about it. He ribbed on her a little more regarding his Yankees making it into the World Series, promising her that by the end of her lifetime he’d turn her into a certified fan. She begged to differ, but nonetheless, it made her laugh, and that’s all that mattered to him.

After everyone enjoyed dinner, Gavin’s parents approached the table. The stately couple’s arms were locked together, their faces flushed from dancing and champagne.

“Olivia,” Chad said with a smile. “My beautiful wife’s given me permission to dance with you.”

She cocked an incredulous brow. “Oh, has she?”

“Indeed, she has,” he laughed, reaching for her hand.

“Are you sure, Lillian?” Olivia smirked and stood up. “I just may steal him from you.”

“He’s a very debonair man,” Lillian smiled, her green eyes shimmering with delight. “He just might sweep you off your feet, kiddo, so I’d be careful.”