Need Me - M. Malone Page 0,41
leans over and puts his hands on his knees.
I lead him to a chair and help him sit.
“That guy saw a random woman running. It doesn’t mean it’s Casey. But I’ll go check.”
As soon as I’m out of his sight, I’m practically running down to the other Presidential Suite where Casey is getting ready. I knock on the door rapidly. Ariana answers it and then immediately moves forward so no one inside can see me.
“Mr. Lavin! What can I do for you?” Her words are professional but her eyes are eating me up.
Ariana isn’t ready for our friends to know about us. I understand and I respect that. This is a new step for her, being serious with someone. The fact that I’m about to be related through marriage to one of her best friends makes this a sensitive thing.
“Is Casey in there?”
“Yeah, she’s just getting the finishing touches on her makeup.”
I let out a long breath. “Good. Someone saw a woman wearing a white dress running through the hotel. Andre’s freaking out thinking it was her.”
Ariana laughs. “Actually that was someone Casey knew from high school. That bitch showed up in her old wedding dress and I told her to take her ass home.”
“That’s ridiculous but also really funny.”
“Maybe not so funny in the moment. Casey was pretty upset at first. But I handled it.”
“Yes, you did. I really want to kiss you right now,” I whisper.
“Save a dance for me later, Mr. Lavin.” With a wink, she shuts the door.
The good news is I get to tell my brother he does not have a runaway bride.
The bad news is I have to get through this entire wedding standing across from the woman I love, while pretending we barely know each other.
After that the wedding went off without a hitch. The reception has been smooth sailing, minus a few minor hiccups, and I’m counting the minutes until I can ask Ariana to dance without making anyone suspicious.
She winks at me from her place by the bar. The peach color of her gown brings out the honey tones in her hair and the plunging neckline has attracted the attention of every man she walks by. Including the one currently standing next to her looking like he wants to bury his face in the soft mounds.
I grit my teeth. That’s it. I’m going over there.
As if she can hear me, Ari sets her glass of champagne down on the bar and saunters over. I meet her halfway and we blend into the crowd of people already dancing.
“What’s this I hear about you playing Superman?”
“What?”
“You saved someone from choking?”
“It was nothing. One of Casey’s friends ate too much cake. I slapped her on the back. That was it.”
Ariana purses her lips. “The brunette with the bob?”
“Yeah. I think so.”
Her fingers tighten on my shoulder as we continue to move across the dance floor. “The one Casey wanted to set you up with?”
This feels like dangerous territory.
“I don’t remember. You look beautiful by the way.”
She laughs. “You really are a charmer. I have to get out of here before they do that stupid bouquet toss. But come find me in the bar downstairs after that.”
“I really wish I could kiss you right now.”
* * *
A half an hour later, I come back into the ballroom. Right as they announced the bouquet toss, I got an urgent work email and went outside to handle it.
Like she has radar, Mamma appears as soon as I’m sneaking back in. She wrinkles her nose at the sight of the phone in my hand.
“Really, Philippe? It’s your brother’s wedding. You’re supposed to be having fun. In fact, there’s a very nice girl I could introduce you to.”
“I can’t, Mamma. I have to handle all the work stuff so that Andre doesn’t have to. It’s his day.”
She pauses as if she can sense I’m not being completely truthful but isn’t sure how to prove it.
I kiss her cheek, sensing my window to escape her trap is closing. “I have to go. I see the head of our marketing agency. I have to network.”
I’ve met James Lawson multiple times but I’m not sure if he’ll recognize me on sight. He doesn’t look all that happy to be here, actually. He’s staring glumly at the dance floor.
Mamma appears at the edge of my vision. I sigh. I’m going to have to look busy or I’ll never escape her matchmaking. So I stop next to James and lean over.
“You’re supposed to at