The Heart of Tomorrow (Book Two) (The Tomorrow Series 2) (16 page)

“You weren’t in the kitchen doing dishes with her,” I said and he took my hand, leading me over to the couch.

We sat down side by side and I sunk in beside him, resting my head on his shoulder.

“What’d she say?”

“Technically nothing…just implied I’m with you for your money.”

I heard him start to laugh, low and slow, and I sat up.

“You think that’s funny, Andrew?”

“Andrew? I don’t think you’ve ever called me Andrew. I think I like it,” he grinned. “And for the record, yes, I do think it’s funny. Your mom should be happy you’ve landed yourself such a stable man.”

He was grinning smugly and part of me was annoyed he was so lighthearted about the situation.

“I know you don’t think I should worry about it, but I do. I don’t want people thinking that and if my own mother thinks that, God knows what everyone else thinks.”

“And like I’ve already said,” he began, turning my chin so I met his eyes. “It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. You and I are the only ones that matter and I, for one, do not want to waste any more time on this bullshit. I love you, Natalie, and I’d do whatever it takes to give you what you deserve in life. I just happen to be in a position to already be able to do that.  I know you love me too and I know you’d love me even if I didn’t have a dime to my name, so can we just accept that and move on?  We’ve got an entire week together and I can think of a million other things I’d rather spend our time doing than worrying about this.” He leaned in, kissing me softly before pulling back and standing up and extending his hand out to me. “And I’d like to begin right now by doing nothing but lounging in bed, watching a movie and holding you all night. Would you care to indulge me?”

“You always know what I need,” I said, taking his hand as we walked to the bedroom.

“Don’t ever forget it,” he said, stopping suddenly as he grabbed me by the waist and dipped me into a deep romantic kiss that was so much fun we were both laughing when he pulled me back up.

“I can’t wait to laugh with you for the rest of my life,” I said and he wrapped his arms around me even tighter, looking into my eyes.

“I can’t wait to do everything with you for the rest of my life.”

He took my hand, kissing the back of it as he stared at me with those intoxicating green eyes and I nearly forgot about earlier because he was right. It didn’t matter what anyone else thought. We were the only people that mattered and right now, I’d never been happier.

Twenty-Three

I’d barely woken up on Saturday morning when the designer arrived to get the apartment ready for the engagement party. It was a relief Drew was there to oversee it all. I still wasn’t comfortable with delegating. I hadn’t grown up attending formal parties. We always did our own decorating and we’d never paid anyone to make food for any sort of event. This was all new to me, but Drew seemed perfectly comfortable with it.

I tried to stay out of the way by having brunch with my family and taking them around the city. I didn’t ask my mom how lunch with Ethan had gone, but I knew she’d be sure to tell me and she did as we made our way through the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

“Ethan is doing well, in case you’re wondering.”

“That’s nice,” I said, pretending to concentrate on an information plaque.

“He may be moving back to Iowa,” she said and this grabbed my attention. He hadn’t mentioned that to me during our run in at the club.

“Why?”

“He may have an opportunity at the theatre in Des Moines, but if you ask me, I think he misses home. I don’t think he’s cut out for the city,” she concluded and I loved how my mom thought she knew him so well.

“I hope everything works out for him,” I said as we moved to the next exhibit.

“He was surprised when I told him you were engaged. I thought you would’ve told him.”

“Ethan and I don’t talk. Why would I tell him?”

“I don’t know. I thought news such as this warranted a personal response from you…considering the situation.”

“Situation?”

“How things ended with the two of you.”

“I’m not proud of how things ended, Mom, but you weren’t here. You weren’t living it, so please don’t judge me.”

“I’m not, dear,” she said, placing a hand on my arm, using that tone she did when she pretended to be sweet, but when in actuality, she was being condescending. “He sends his best though.”

“Thank you,” I said, picking up my pace to catch up with my dad and brother, knowing I needed to get away before I said something I’d regret.

I decided not to tell Drew about the conversation with my mother. Talking about it would only make me more frustrated and frustration was not something I needed as I prepared to smile and greet our family and friends as we toasted our engagement.

My family had returned to their hotel to get ready and the caterers were bustling around the kitchen setting up while I stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom. I was nervous. My hands were unsteady as I applied my eyeliner and I couldn’t decide how I would wear my hair. Drew had invited people I didn’t even know. Work associates and old friends he told me. He didn’t want to leave anyone out and offend them. When I thought of the guest list though, I had to admit it made me a little sad that very few people on it had any association with me. There was my family, of course, and Court and Anna Beth, and Ava and Kara from work, but that was it. I felt as if I’d be a stranger at my own party. I was disappointed none of my friends from back home would be there, but then again, I hadn’t done a very good job of staying in touch. Ethan had been my best friend for so long I hadn’t really had many friends aside from him and once I moved to New York, it had only been Ethan until Drew came along. As I brushed on my mascara, I thought for a twenty-three-year-old, my life was actually pretty lonely.

A low whistle interrupted my thoughts and I looked in the mirror to see Drew standing there, eyeing me.

“I can’t wait to show you off tonight,” he said, stepping closer and brushing my hair off my neck so he could kiss it. “This dress was made for you.”

His hands started running down the sides of my knee length cocktail dress. It was black with a lace overlay and small cap sleeves, the perfect combination of class and sex all rolled into one.

“It’s okay for tonight?” I asked, sudden doubt setting in as I moved to my jewelry box, searching for my grandmother’s pearl earrings that would go just right with my dress.

“It’s absolutely perfect, just like you,” he said as I continued to look for the earrings, finding one and putting it on before continuing to scour the jewelry box, moving quickly through the assortment of earrings.

“Have you seen my other earring like this?” I asked, showing him my ear.

“No. Just wear a different pair,” he said, picking up a pair of small, silver hoops.

“I can’t,” I said, digging more frantically.

“Why not? These would look fine with your dress.”

“It’s not about that, Drew,” I said, dropping to all fours as I started looking on the ground for the earring.

“What’s the big deal? It’s just an earring. We’ll get you a new pair.”

“It’s a big deal because they belonged to my grandma. I got them when she died,” I said and then he got on his hands and knees too, joining in my search.

“I’m sorry, Natalie. I didn’t know.”

“I know you didn’t, but I have to find it. I have to,” I said and we continued looking. I was frantic as I scoured the floor. We searched every inch of the bathroom and then moved onto the bedroom, but after fifteen minutes, I knew the search was futile. The earring was lost and I sat on the bed, hanging my head in defeat. Drew sat beside me, rubbing slow circles on my back.

“I’m sorry, babe,” he said gently, pulling me to him, holding me close and kissing the top of my head.

“I just wanted tonight to be perfect,” I said as a tear I didn’t even realize had formed in my panic slid down my cheek.

“And it will be. Your lost earring will not ruin our night,” he said, pulling away and tilting my chin up so that our eyes met as he wiped the tear away. “Tonight will be wonderful and I know someday, we will find that earring.”

For some reason, I believed him and I felt a smile forming on my mouth. He kissed me sweetly and then stood up.

“Now, I’ll leave you to get ready before I can’t stop myself from removing you from this little black dress,” he said and I laughed, grateful that he was trying to make me smile.

He left the room and I finished my make-up and pulled my hair up into a loose twist, leaving a few tendrils out to frame my face. I put on the earrings Drew had suggested and put the one earring of my grandmother’s back in the box, hoping the other would turn up soon. I clasped the bracelet Drew had given me for my birthday onto my wrist and then glanced down at the engagement ring once more before making my way into the great room.

The apartment was ready with small round tables covered in elegant white table cloths and simple centerpieces. Quiet piano music flowed through the sound system. A small buffet had been set up in the kitchen and the caterers were putting the finishing touches on the food. Drew was sitting on the couch, wearing a crisp black suit. He’d forgone the tie and I liked the more casual look of his gray dress shirt unbuttoned at the top as it peeked out of his jacket.

“Come sit and relax for a few minutes before everyone arrives,” he said, patting the seat next to him.

“You look nice,” I told him.

“Thank you for noticing because no one else will. They’ll all have their eyes on you.”

“I think my head has swollen about ten times its normal size since meeting you.”

“I won’t stop telling you you’re beautiful, Natalie, if that’s what you’re implying.”

I leaned in, kissing him chastely and met his eyes again.

“You look nervous,” he pointed out.

“I am.”

“Don’t be. It’ll be a great night. Just stick by me,” he said just as the doorbell rang and I felt my nervous heartbeat begin. He reached for my hand, kissing it again and smiling reassuringly at me. “Time to make this official, Miss Vasser.”

“Let’s do this, Mr. Saben,” I said, trying to muster my confidence and together, we stood up to greet our first guest.

He held my hand as he opened the door and we were greeted by my family. They’d cleaned up nicely, both my dad and brother in suits and my mother in a pretty blue dress.

“You look great, Mom,” I said when they walked in. I was determined this was going to go well and I didn’t want to say or do anything that would create tension between us.

“You really think so?” she asked quietly as we hugged and when we pulled back, I could see the worry on her face. She looked uncomfortable, as if she was afraid of not fitting in. I didn’t blame her. This wasn’t what she was used to. It was how I’d been when I first moved to the city. Iowa and New York are about as different as you can get.

“I do, Mom. You look beautiful,” I said, pulling back and taking her hands as I smiled at her.

“I’m just a little nervous is all,” she said, straightening the skirt of the dress and smoothing her hair. “This whole thing seems a little above our station.”

“To be honest, I’m a little nervous too. It can be intimidating, but you’ll be fine,” I said and then hugged her again, sudden sentimentality overtaking me. We didn’t  always see eye to eye, but she was my mother and I loved her and I was grateful she was here with me.

“Can I offer you a drink, Leanne?” Drew’s voice interrupted us and we both turned to him.

“Please,” my mother answered and he put his hand on the small of her back and led her away, but not before winking at me.

“So, what are the chances of me nixing the plans to attend Iowa State and shacking up here and going to NYU instead?” Wes laughed, coming up beside me. It felt like I hadn’t had a chance to say more than two words to my brother since my family arrived.

“I thought it was your dream to go to Iowa?” I asked as I led him towards the appetizers.

“It was until I came here,” he said, reaching down for a taste of the artichoke dip. “I have to be honest, Nat. When you told Mom and Dad you were moving here, I thought you were nuts. I can see why you’ve stayed though.”

“I like the city. I don’t think I could ever go back to Iowa,” I told him, taking some dip for myself.

“Plus, you’ve landed yourself a free ride for the rest of your life, nailing a guy like Drew.”

His words struck me and I could feel my defenses rising.

“It’s not a free ride, Wesley. I work.”

“Calm down, Nat. I just meant you don’t seem to have to worry about much. Not bad for the ripe old age of twenty-three,” he said and I could tell my brother was clueless to the hurt his words caused. I didn’t want to discuss it here though. This was mine and Drew’s night, so I smiled, thankful for the knock on the door.

Drew was talking to my mother as they both sipped on a glass of wine and so I went to the door, opening it to find Drew’s parents and Kayla.

“Natalie!” Janice said, stepping inside and hugging me tightly.

“Good to see you again,” Drew’s father added, leaning in for a hug and then Janice’s hand rested on my arm as her eyes met mine.

“I haven’t had a chance to congratulate you in person on the engagement. Truly, I am so thrilled to welcome you into our family.”

I could feel the sincerity in her voice and it couldn’t have come at a better time. After the conversation with my brother, I needed to get my mind back in the right frame of mind.

“Thank you,” I said with a smile and she pulled back, her eyes meeting mine.

“Maybe I will have grandchildren before I die after all,” she laughed and I wondered if she saw me flinch.

“Seriously, Mother,” Kayla said, appearing from behind Janice and linking arms with me. “You’re going to scare the poor girl off with baby talk already.”

Janice looked over at me, an apologetic expression on her face.

“I hope you know I didn’t mean to offend you, Natalie.”

“Really, it’s fine,” I said, not wanting to create any tension.

“As you get to know my mother more, you’ll realize she doesn’t have a filter,” Kayla jested and Janice rolled her eyes.

“And you’ll see my children tease me mercilessly.”

“Only because we love you,” Drew’s deep voice added when he joined us, leaning in and hugging his parents and Kayla.

“Now, onto the important things,” Kayla said, grabbing my left hand. “Let’s see this ring.” She stared down at it, a low whistle escaping her lips. “There’s no way you could say no when he showed you this thing.” She laughed and then looked at me. “You know, Natalie, we could pawn this thing and go on one hell of a vacation.”

I laughed too and Drew’s hand wrapped protectively around my shoulder, pulling me close to him.

“Don’t give her any ideas,” he warned playfully. “Natalie’s family is already here. Let me introduce you.”

I knew there was nothing to be nervous about, but everyone seemed a little anxious when Drew mentioned the inevitable introductions.

My parents were sipping wine across the room as we made our way over. I could see the nerves on my mom’s face as she checked out Drew’s family, especially his perfectly polished mother.

“It is so nice to finally meet Natalie’s family.” Janice jumped in right away, smiling warmly as she made eye contact with my mom. I could see her start to relax as she realized Drew’s family wasn’t as intimidating as she first thought.

“Likewise,” my mom said, extending her hand to Janice. “I’m Leanne.”