Chasing Bristol (The Finding Trilogy Book 2) (15 page)

I stared at myself in the mirror
for a beat, and then applied more lipstick. Afterward, I looked at my attire
again. I was wearing my favorite black ankle-length dress and matching heels,
and my hair was pulled back into a chic bun.

In less than an hour, the fundraiser
would be in full swing. I was excited that it was finally here. I’d enjoyed the
process of planning for the event, so I looked forward to seeing how it would
turn out.

There was still a bitter spot in my
stomach, though. Mason hadn’t said a word to me all week and Dad still seemed
upset about the weekend before.

The good thing was, my stalker hadn’t
reached out for an entire week—aside from those mind tricks I’d pulled on
myself at the club and at the center—and everyone around me was starting to
relax a bit.

Snatching my clutch off the bed, I
headed down the hallway and picked up my keys from the kitchen island. Dad was
tied up at work but said he’d clock out in time to stop by the fundraiser.
   

After locking up the condo, I drove for
a few minutes until arriving at the Canfield House restaurant on the east side
of Newport. Entering the colonial revival structure, I made my way across the
sleek pine wood floor over to Julian, Amber, and Seven. The restaurant had been
reserved for the event and most of the antique mahogany dining chairs and
tables had been moved to the side, creating a ballroom setting.

The place looked exquisite with
low-hanging bronze chandeliers and old century decor. It excited me to see that
they’d incorporated my idea of hanging pictures of animals as well as offering
souvenirs for pets, since proceeds were going to an animal shelter. There was
also a buffet, an open bar, and a live band playing jazz music.

“Look at you, beautiful,” Amber
complimented as I reached them. She had on a loose-fitting chiffon dress and
sky high pumps, while Julian was wearing a purple knee-length dress, her long
hair in a classic French braid over her shoulder. Both were stunning. Seven
looked handsome too, in his smooth black tuxedo.

I smiled at them as I said, “You guys
look great.”

Always modest, Julian waved me off. She
surveyed the room. “Everyone did a good job, especially you. George Wilcox is
happy with how well you’ve performed for this event. So is Aunt Bev.”

“Really?” I gave her a wide and genuine
smile, my eyes surely sparkling. I hadn’t felt that good in a while.

Julian jerked my arm playfully. “Of
course. In fact, I hear there’s another nice offer coming your way.”

I creased my forehead, clueless. “What
kind of offer?”

“Soon,” she replied, winking at me.

“Hmm. That is one sexy man right there.”
Amber gaped at someone across the room.

Rotating, I spotted a tall, pale-looking
man by the entrance. He looked sharp in his dark blue tuxedo with black
grosgrain details on the slacks, his features strong and well-defined. His
black hair was brushed back, and his brooding dark gaze remained serious as he
scanned the room.

He seemed like he was in his thirties,
so composed and confident with one hand inside his pocket and the other holding
a glass of wine.

Something about him was…familiar. I
couldn’t figure out what though.

“Well…ahem,” Amber cleared her throat. I
swiveled back to her. She picked up a glass of wine from the passing tray. “I’m
going to mingle.” She giggled and started over to the mysterious James Bond-looking
man.

“Any lead on that stalker?” Seven asked.

“Babe.” Julian bumped his arm. “Not the
right time.”

“I’m just curious. You never tell me
about it,” he said to her.

“It’s okay,” I told him. “There’s nothing
new. In fact, I haven’t received anything from him all week, so…maybe this time
it’s really over.”

Humph
. Unless the
encounter at the club and at the center weren’t hallucinations.

A doubtful look crossed Julian’s face as
if she could hear my thoughts.

“That’s good,” Seven remarked. “Hope it
stays that way.”

“Okay, let’s forget about that and try
to enjoy ourselves,” Julian suggested. She knocked my arm as she added, “We
should get to know these people. Networking is always a plus.”

Seven bobbed in agreement and stepped
off with Julian. I went in the opposite direction to greet the owner of the
animal shelter that the fundraiser was benefiting.

Later on, Dad showed up. I spotted him
the second he walked in the entrance wearing the tux I’d left out for him.

I ambled over to his side to keep him
company. “Hey, Dad.”

He pecked me on the cheek and then
regarded my dress. “Sweetheart, you look lovely.”

“Thanks, Dad. So do you,” I joked.

He chuckled. “Not as lovely as you.” He
skimmed the room, then asked, “How’s it going so far? Any deep pockets?”

I gave him a wry smile as I answered,
“We’ve received a little over twelve thousand.”

His forehead crinkled. “That’s good,
only I sense there’s a ‘but’ coming.”

“Your senses are dead on. According to
Greg Wilcox, anything below twenty is deemed a failure.”

“Yikes. Hard to please, huh?”

“Guess so.” I was about to introduce him
to Beverly Vanderson when I glimpsed a few surprising guests. “Um, what are Mom
and the McKinleys doing here?”

Dad turned and stared at them. “Beats
me. Your mother tends to receive invites based on the company she keeps.”

“Just a sec.” I slipped away from him
and wandered over to my mother. She was laughing pretentiously with some of the
donors.

“Excuse me,” I cut in. “Mom, a moment
please?”

She strode with me to a private area in
the room.

“What are you doing here?” I asked. “Did
you invite the McKinleys, too?”

Mom scoffed. “Oh geez, Bristol. They
were invited by George Wilcox and I came along to support the cause. Good
heavens. Why are you always ready to attack me?” She raised her glass to her
lips.

“Support the cause?” I placed my hands
on my hips. “You don’t even like animals. What are you
really
doing here
with them? Don’t tell me this has anything to do with Tyler.”

She didn’t have to answer; I saw the
reason over her shoulder. He caught sight of me and started to approach.

“I can’t believe you,” I fumed under my
breath. “You’re still trying to put me and Tyler back together.”

“Oh honey.” Mom stroked my cheek. “Men
cheat, no matter what. Look, I think it’s best to be with him. I’d feel better
and would know you’re safe from this mad man that’s been taunting you.” She
twisted to turn away as Tyler neared us, adding in an afterthought, “And by the
way, will you stop favoring your father over me? We both know he’s not perfect
either.”

I spoke through gritted teeth. “At least
he’s considerate of my feelings.”

“So am I. If only you could see that.”
Mom spun and flounced back to the donors she’d been talking to before.

Tyler edged closer. If I hadn’t been so
infuriated I might have been impressed by his attire. He never wore a tux for
me, always just a nice shirt and dress pants.

“Hey, can we talk?” he asked, seemingly
sincere.

“Not the time or place,” I replied in a
dry tone. “And for the last time, stop calling me babe.”

He gripped my arm as I was about to
leave. “Bristol, it’s been a few weeks. Aren’t you tired of being mad at me? I
am. I want you back. I miss you so bad. I know you said you can’t trust me
again, but if you give me another chance I’ll earn that trust back.”

I tried to writhe my arm away but he
wouldn’t let go. “Tyler, please. My boss and coworkers are here.”

“Well, come outside with me then,” he
implored. “We can talk in private.”

“No. Let go of my arm. Now,” I warned.

Irritation warped his features. “You
think if you keep ignoring me I’m just going to disappear? I’m not going
anywhere. I love you, damn it. You honestly think I’m going to let you go?”

“Look, I said—”

“Get away from my daughter!” Dad
intervened, shoving him.

Tyler released my arm. “Mr. Armando,
listen, I know you prob—”

“You don’t get to talk to me, you little
prick, or my daughter.” Dad edged closer to him, gritting his teeth. “You
better leave right now before I teach you a lesson for hurting her.”

People started turning our way. I
glanced at Dad’s hands and noticed he had his fists clenched.

Oh no
. He was getting
riled up.

I touched his arm. Trying to calm him, I
said quietly, “Dad, it’s okay.”

Tyler risked reaching for my hand again.
“Bristol, please come outside with me. It’ll only be a minute.”

I was going to do it and avoid drawing
attention, but Dad plunged forward and punched Tyler. The impact sent him to
the floor.

Everyone gasped.

“I told you to stay away from my
daughter,” he grunted. “Leave her alone!”

“Oh my gosh! Dad, stop it. Calm down,” I
pleaded.

Worried he might hit Tyler again, I
yanked him back. The McKinleys hurried over to their son’s side.

“What the hell is your problem?” Mr.
McKinley snapped at my dad.

His wife bent down and helped Tyler to
his feet. “You hooligan.”

Julian and Seven came over.

“What happened?” Julian asked, bug-eyed.
“Did he hurt you?”

Looking at my dad, I shook my head and
said, “No.” Embarrassment screened his face. His lips trembled, like he wanted
to apologize or something.

Tyler straightened and wiped his bloody
lip with the back of his hand. He glared at my dad. “You know, if it wasn’t for
Bristol, I’d have you arrested again,” he grunted, loudly.

Everyone heard, and started talking in
hushed voices. I peered around the room, ashamed. Greg Wilcox glared at me,
displeasure darkening his gaze. His father twitched his mouth, astounded, and
then tried to divert the attention of the people he was talking to.

“I’m sorry, I’m going to have to ask you
to leave,” a sincere voice said. “Please.” I spun back to Tyler and his
parents. Beverly Vanderson was ushering them to the exit. She apologized
several times until they left.

Walking up to me and my dad, an annoyed
burst of air spewed from her lips. “A word, Bristol.”

She marched off through the bewildered
crowd. I followed, fearful of what might come next.

Beverly led me into an empty hallway for
privacy. She rested her hands on her hips as she spoke. “I don’t like
commotions of any sort, Bristol, especially at an event like this. The people
in that room will pull away just like that if they find our companies to be
unprofessional.”

“I’m sorry,” I said in a whisper. “Tyler
was trying to take me outside and my dad snapped.”

“Your father…” She dipped her head in
thought. “Wasn’t he arrested for having a bad temper?”