Those Red High Heels (7 page)

I could hear hushed whispers as I made my grand exit. That lady made me feel uneasy. I’m usually a very confident woman, but being around her rattled my insides and made me feel all tense and weird.

When I looked back over my shoulder, Nora had her arms crossed and was probably scolding Greyson. Even a woman as beautiful and successful as Nora had self-esteem issues. Greyson looked up and locked eyes with mine. His stare was so intense, I had to look away, but I couldn’t. There was something about that man. I felt like we had a connection, but I knew it was foolish. He was a very taken man. I decided right then I was going to forget about that moment, and start to focus on my new life in New York.

Just as I made it back to the front of the Pierre, I received a text from Brynn saying they were about to arrive. I let out a breath I must have been holding in, and started to relax again. I looked around and noticed quite a few of the guests had already arrived, so I decided it was time to make an announcement. “Excuse me everyone. Our newly engaged couple is about to arrive, so if everyone would please start heading to the grand ballroom, hors d'oeuvres will be served shortly.”

As I was about to turn around and head over myself, I ran right into something as solid as a brick wall that had been mysteriously built right behind me, because when I hit it full force, it instantly knocked the wind out of me.

“Whoa, there. Are you okay?” It was a voice I had never heard before, but for some reason it sounded vaguely familiar. When I finally shook my head and felt like my vision was coming back, I looked up and saw a man who looked like a version of Collin. Only, it wasn’t Collin, and he was most definitely not a brick wall. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you standing there,” he said as he looked down at me.

Then he smiled at me and it finally clicked. The man I had run into wasn’t Collin, but his brother, Cade. “Cade, you surprised me.”

His eyebrows shot up and he gave me one of those smiles, which make you tilt your head to the side and swoon. “So, you know my name. Now it’s only fair I know yours.”

Oh, this man was good. His smile. His dimples. He was definitely a ladies man. Brynn had told me bits and pieces about Cade, and as I stood and looked at his handsome face, I knew all the stories had to be true. He really did have some very similar facial features to Collin, but he also had a much more relaxed look about him. You could tell he was more of a fit in California than NYC.

I placed my hand in his. “I’m Emma, Brynn’s friend from Chicago; although, I just recently moved here. So now I guess I’m Brynn’s friend from New York.”

A smile spread across his face that would make any nun think twice about her life choice, and he lifted my hand to his lips. “Emma, it’s so nice to meet you. You’re gorgeous,” he said with a wink and placed a delicate kiss to the back of my hand. Any lady who crossed this man’s path was doomed.

“Thank you,” I said as I pulled my hand away. As the fog of Cade started to clear from around my head, I remembered that Brynn thought Cade wasn’t going to be able to make it to the engagement party. “Wait, Brynn told me you weren’t going to be able to make it tonight.”

Cade shot me another smile and grabbed my arm to link it through his. “I didn’t think I was, but I had some time open up, so I thought it would be fun to surprise them.”

“Collin and Brynn will be so excited. I know Collin didn’t say much, but I could tell he really wanted you here.”

Cade escorted me to the ballroom, arms linked, and when we made it through the door it felt like someone was watching me. I looked around and when I didn’t catch anyone staring, I decided I was becoming paranoid.

It was only a few more minutes until Brynn and Collin finally walked through the door. The room erupted in light applause. Brynn found me right away, and I lifted my eyebrows in Cade’s direction which caused Brynn to look over at him. A huge grin spread across her face and she nudged Collin to show him his surprise.

Collin and Brynn walked straight over to us when Collin spotted Cade. “What the hell are you doing here?” Collin asked as he slapped hands with Cade and brought him into a classic sideways man hug.

“My schedule opened up,” Cade said in a loud laugh and brought Brynn in for a hug. “My God, Brynn. I don’t know how you do it, but you get more beautiful every time I see you.”

Brynn looked over at me and rolled her eyes, but also had a smile plastered across her face. She adored Cade, and I knew it made her just as happy to have him here as it did Collin. “Cade, we’re so glad you could make it,” Brynn said and hugged him back.

“I thought it would be fun to surprise you, so I’m sorry I didn’t call. I did, however, finally get to meet Emma. She sure is a sight for sore eyes,” he said with a wink in my direction.

“Isn’t she? I knew you would think so.” She gave him a little wink.

Collin grabbed Cade’s arm and motioned across the room. “I want you to meet a new client I signed for a movie deal. I think we may do some scenes in L.A..”

Cade looked back at me. “No rest for the weary. I hope to see you later, Emma.” And with that, Cade and Collin were off talking business.

I looked over at Brynn and shook my head. “He’s trouble.”

Brynn let out a little laugh. “You have no idea, but I think you’ll be good for him.”

Suddenly, I had the feeling again, that someone was watching me. I looked around the room and sucked in a small breath when I saw those piercing blue eyes looking right at me. Greyson Lyons was watching me, but when we made eye contact, he quickly looked away.

My thoughts were quickly interrupted when Brynn cleared her throat. “What was that all about?” she asked as she arched one of her eyebrows.

“You’re going to make a really good mom one day, with that eyebrow trick.”

Brynn rolled her eyes at me and placed her hands on her hips. “Right, but you are not distracting me, what was that?”

I sighed and followed her over to her seat. “I met Grayson earlier, and his lovely fiancé. If I tell you something, you have to swear not to hold it against me for the rest of my life.” I looked straight into her eyes and shot her a very serious stare.

Her face lit up and you could tell she’d become intrigued. “I promise.”

“Greyson is my mystery man from the car, and when I met him at the bar earlier, I may have spit a very tiny amount of wine at him.” I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. When I said it out loud, it made me ten times more embarrassed.

“No, you did not. That’s how you met Greyson?” She covered her mouth a little and was interrupted by a waiter holding champagne glasses.

“Would you care for a glass?”

We both said yes simultaneously, and thanked him. “Okay, but what was that little stare down all about?”

I took a sip of the champagne and felt the gold liquid run down my throat. I looked back at my glass and took another sip. “This is the best champagne I have ever had.”

Brynn smiled and took a sip out of her own glass. “I know, everything in this city is the best thing you will ever have.” She wiggled her eyebrows and let out a little laugh. “Anyway, go on.”

“It was nothing, really. I tripped and fell against him, and we may have had a little moment. But then Nora was standing there and I’m pretty sure I’m on her kill list.”

Brynn looked over in their direction. “I know. I’m sorry she is so intense, but she’s not too bad when she’s by herself.” I decided I never wanted to find that out for myself.

Brynn and I chatted some more about work and wedding plans, but then she decided she needed to be social and excused herself to thank her guests for coming.

I took that moment to sneak off to the ladies room. I had been to my fair share of formal events in Chicago, but I had never been to a venue as beautiful as that one. I also had never worn a dress quite like the one I was wearing. When I was finishing washing my hands, the door opened and I had a sinking feeling I knew who was going to walk through it. I did not want to have the classic ladies’ room show down with Nora.

I looked up and as I’d predicted, the Ice Bitch was staring right at me. I smiled and stood up as straight as possible to face her. It was better to get this over with. “Hello, Nora.”

Nora crossed her arms across her chest and stared at me for a moment. She walked over to the mirror and pulled out a compact from her purse. After a few strokes across her porcelain skin, she turned back toward me and looked me up and down. “Your dress is beautiful, Emma, but here’s a little tip for your next social event. I wouldn’t pair such a gown with $5.00 hooker shoes.”

I let out a little gasp and looked down at my gorgeous red high heels. These shoes were obviously designer, and she was just being nasty. “These are not hooker shoes,” I said in a defensive voice.

Nora patted my arm, “I’m sure they aren’t. They actually look really good on you.” She turned around and headed back to the door.

This lady was a certifiable bitch, and I had to stand up to her now, or it would always be like this. I threatened her for some strange reason, and I needed to end this now. “Nora, wait. I don’t know what I did to you, but I’m sorry and I would like us to start over.”

Nora turned around so fast, her auburn hair flipped around like a twirly skirt. “Emma, please. You don’t think I have dealt with women like you before? You see a handsome, successful man, and you think you can sink your claws in him and he’ll go for it? Please. I will never let a woman like you come between Greyson and me. He’s mine, and I will not let some blonde-haired bimbo steal him away.” She turned back around and was out the door before I could even say another word.

I stood there, shocked, and decided at that moment that Nora Mathews and I would never be friends. I had to stay out of her way, so she didn’t end up ruining my dream of living in New York City.

Chapter Eight

“I didn’t see you very much last night; did you end up having a good time?” Brynn asked as she sat on the edge of my bed the next morning.

I sat up and propped a pillow behind me. The night before had turned out to be not so great, but she didn’t need to know that. It was, after all, her special night. “It was such a beautiful night, Brynn. I have never been to an engagement party as wonderful as yours.”

She eyed me suspiciously and handed me a cup of coffee. “I don’t buy it, what happened?”

I thankfully grabbed my steamy mug of joe, and took a much-needed drink. I didn’t necessarily have a horrible night, but after my encounter with the lovely Nora, I couldn’t lift my mood to enjoy the party. Cade and I spent most of the night together. He definitely is a schmoozer, and I had to put up my toughest defense to go home solo. I didn’t want to open that can. “Oh, I had a little chat with Nora. I’m 100% on her radar.”

Brynn placed her hand over mine. “Oh, hun, I’m sorry. Ignore her and keep going down your path of greatness. Greyson had nothing but good things to say about you. Sounds like you are doing a fabulous job.”

“That’s good, I guess, but enough about me. Did you have a great time? Brynn, it was so beautiful. I can’t even imagine your wedding after last night.”

Brynn had a huge grin on her face. “I know. It really was perfect, wasn’t it? I’m so in love, Emma. I really found my ever after. So, I’ve been dying to know what happened with Cade?”

“That man is dangerous, Brynn. I don’t know if I’m cut out to be the one who turns him down a one-way street. He seems fun, but he had red flashing lights all around him whenever he looked at me.” I placed the coffee mug under my face and inhaled all of its goodness.

Brynn laughed and rolled her eyes at me. “I know he comes off strong, but he’s actually really fun to hang around with. In fact, he’s so much fun that when he asked if you might be interested in a little city sightseeing today, I said yes.”