Angel Falling (Falling #1)(39)
“Oh yeah, I forgot about that,” he snickered. “He actually hated Grant, too.” He laughed louder, then turned to Dean. “Hey Baby, do you still hate Aspen?”
“Are you still working eighteen-hour days, not excluding weekends?”
“Yes, snookums,” Oliver said.
“Then yes.” But his face held a smile I knew all too well. We always joked that Dean hated me. It was part of our everyday conversation, though a small part of me believed that he did resent me a little for how much I needed Oliver’s attention. I knew since he made a firefighter’s wage and not the high salary he used to bring home working in the fashion industry, that he appreciated how much I paid Ollie in the end.
We made it to my parent’s estate on the outskirts of the city in good time, considering Friday rush hour traffic. The stretched limo pulled around the circular drive. My parents were standing at the threshold greeting everyone as they strolled up. A small get-together for my mother was around hundred and fifty people. As we approached I saw the Senator and her husband, previously the President of the United States, air-kiss my mother and shake hands with my father.
“Is that who I think it is?” Hank whispered in my ear.
“Yes.”
“Whoa, Nelly. When you said a bunch of fancy-dancy folks were going to be here tonight, I hadn’t expected one of our past presidents. I can’t wait to meet him!”
His joy made me smile. We approached my mother and Father, Dean and Oliver right on our heels. Hank immediately took my mother’s hands and kissed her knuckles then shook my father’s hand.
“Evenin’, Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds.”
“Mr. Jensen, it’s an honor to meet the man that saved my darling Pen. I owe you a great deal,” my father addressed Hank, smiling wide. My mother was an evil she-bitch, but I adored my father. He was the one person aside from London and Oliver who told me to reach for the stars and pursue my dreams.
“Hello, Daddy.” I kissed his cheek and he hugged me tightly. I turned to my mother. “Mother.” My mother gave me her standard double air-kiss. I tamped down the desire to make a jab at her.
We moved out of the line of guests and stood off to the side to wait for Dean and Oliver. I wanted Hank to feel comfortable tonight, so I’d made Oliver swear to stay close. Even if they weren’t the best of friends, at least Hank knew him and Ollie knew everyone. Though it didn’t look like it would matter one way or the other with the way Dean and Hank were carrying on as if they were long-lost brothers.
They’d moved from firefighting to sports teams and betting on who would make the playoffs this year. Of course Dean was on the side of the New York Giants, and Hank was a firm believer in the Dallas Cowboys.
We found a table out in the garden next to the pool where the four of us could sit; two chairs were left open. Large Japanese lanterns were hanging from invisible wires over the entire area. Twinkling candles sat on the tables next to a beautiful display of hydrangeas. The pool had floating lily pads with candles in the centers. Each of the trees were circled with twinkling white lights.
The entire theme was ethereal. Soft orchestral music played from a small quartet off to the side of the yard. Mother was a perfect party planner. No detail was left undone. Maybe if I paid her a huge compliment, let her plan an event for me, she’d lay off the marriage talk. It could work, but it was doubtful.
Ever since Grant and I broke up she’d been hounding me to get back with him. According to her, he was the perfect man—regardless of the fact that he’d cheated on me … twice! She believed cheating was to be expected from a man of his pedigree. I disagreed with her and that’s been at the crux of our dysfunctional relationship ever since.
We sat and enjoyed comfortable conversation before Hank and Dean took off to get us drinks from the bar.
“Oh, Princess, our princes are besties. Isn’t this great?” I couldn’t help but get caught up in his happiness.
“I know, Ollie. But what if mine turns out to be a frog?”
Oliver’s face snapped back to attention, his eyes squinting. “What do you mean? I thought you and Hank were getting along great. From what I saw in the bedroom a couple weeks ago he seemed to satisfy those needs.”
“Yes. He’s incredible in the bedroom.” I thought back to the other day when he surprised me in my dressing closet by sliding his cock into me from behind. We left quite a mess in the closet, clothes strewn everywhere. I almost felt bad for the maid. “Oh, Oliver. I just don’t know where this thing with him is going. We’re so different. Just because we’re compatible physically doesn’t mean we’re right for each other.”
“Why not? I don’t understand. He looks at you like the entire world just stopped because you were in his line of vision. That cowboy is falling for you, Princess. I know it like I know my labels. You know I know my labels!”
“I just don’t see how it could really work in the long run. He lives in Texas. I live in New York.”
“So he moves here or you move to Texas. Oh, no, that would mean I’d have to move to Texas. I don’t know if my hair could handle that heat!” He patted his perfectly coiffed hair to make sure even mentioning it didn’t mess it up.
“Stop being a drama queen. I’m not moving to Texas.”
“You don’t think you’re moving to Texas. You don’t know what the future holds, Pen. Just let the coming weeks happen. I’ve never seen you happier. Enjoy being with Hank. He seems to enjoy the hell out of you.”