“Rynna. You’re here. I love it. All my favorite people in one room.” Lillith walked up to me and hugged me before she stepped back and angled her head. “Rex, how are you? It’s so nice to see you.”
There was a bit of worry in her voice when she asked it. As if she might be protective of me.
“Good,” he said in that rough voice. He turned and shook Broderick’s hand. “Thanks for the invitation. The place looks great.”
Broderick shook his head. “I’m glad you’re here. None of this could happen without RG Construction. You’re company is the backbone of the operation.”
Wow.
That was some kind of praise.
I glanced at Rex. His expression was rimmed with satisfaction as he returned Broderick’s handshake. “My men are incredibly skilled. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
Broderick laughed, this loud, boisterous laugh as he set a hand on Rex’s shoulder. “Always so humble.” Broderick looked around the group. “This man right here is the driving force behind an incredible team. He literally has saved my ass at least a thousand times during this project.”
He returned his attention to Rex. “You didn’t earn your reputation for nothing. I sought you out because you are the best. In three short years, you brought RG Construction back from what could have been its demise. That is no easy feat.”
Rex flinched.
It was subtle.
But I saw it. Felt it.
His voice was hoarser when he spoke. “If we’re looking for someone to give credit to, let’s give it to my mother. She was the one who taught me there is nothing hard work won’t achieve.”
God, this man was an enigma. Hard and soft. Modest and proud. Layers and threads and dimensions of mystery.
Broderick just shook his head as if he couldn’t believe Rex, either, before he turned a charismatic smile on me. “And who do we have here?” He reached for me, taking my hand between both of his.
Lillith had her hand tucked under his arm, her smile so free. “This is my friend Rynna I was telling you about. She’s the one who inherited Pepper’s Pies across the street from the new hotel.”
Broderick’s face lit. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. I was hoping you would choose to reopen rather than sell. Pepper’s Pies has an important history in Gingham Lakes, and I know it’ll remain the same in the future. If there’s anything you need to help with the process, please, don’t hesitate to let me know.” Even though his words could have been used in a boardroom to sell his next biggest idea, there was a distinct tone of sincerity woven into them.
“It’s nice to meet you, as well. And I will definitely keep that in mind. Thank you for the offer.”
Broderick looked around the room. “I’m a firm believer Gingham Lakes’s revitalization belongs to all of us. We’re all responsible for coming together to make it a better place for all residents.”
Lillith pushed her cheek into his arm, as if she were overcome by her love for him, and he pressed the softest kiss to the top of her head.
My heart throbbed, and I couldn’t help but glance at Rex, drawn to this man who stood stoically at my side.
Broderick gestured to the room. “Dinner should be served in a few minutes. Why don’t we all find a place to sit so we can enjoy ourselves?”
As he led us over to a large round table where we all took seats together, Broderick worked the room, welcoming the rest of his guests and inviting them to take a seat. Dinner was served, and we ate and drank and laughed. Lillith and Nikki made it easy to fit in, and it even seemed as if Rex might. Even though there was some part of him that remained reserved.
Afterward, Broderick stood and asked if he could have a word with Rex.
“Excuse me for a minute?” he asked.
“Of course,” I told him.
Lillith was in deep conversation with a couple at the next table, and Nikki made an excuse to head downstairs, undoubtedly to find Ollie.
I went to the bar and ordered another glass of wine then wandered out onto the balcony, drawn to the view.
It was quiet, the air still warm, though it’d cooled with the night, and a slight breeze added to the peace in the air. A blanket of stars opened up the vast canopy that stretched on forever above, and I inhaled the scents of the city, the honeysuckle and the river and old buildings.
Home.
I got lost in it, in the soft music that fell on my ears and the peace that radiated back from the city I’d tried to forget I loved.
I jumped when the breath landed on my bare shoulder. “I’m sorry I ditched you.”
A small smile tugged at my mouth, and I glanced over my shoulder at the gorgeous man standing right behind me. “I understand. It’s a work party.”