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“Of course, miss. Anything else?”
“That’s all, thank you.” I hate ordering the family staff around and usually act like they don’t exist, which has actually gotten me in trouble more than a few times, especially when I try to cook my own meals and the chef has a heart attack at the idea of a family member in his kitchen, but sometimes it’s nice to be a Stockton. The driver nods, rolls the window up, and heads over toward a bay of other waiting cars with their idling and bored chauffeurs.
He doesn’t need to wait forever, just long enough for me to find out if Ford’s going to murder me tonight or if this marriage thing is for real.
I square my shoulders, tilt my chin up, and march up the steps. The doorman nods at me as I walk through and I halfway expect them to stop me but nobody bothers. The front desk, the tasteful security guards, each of them smiles and nods as I head deeper into the club. I’m technically not a member, although I’m allowed to enter with my uncles or cousins or grandparents whoaremembers, and right now I feel strangely naked without a chaperone. Still, the club must know I’m here to meet with Ford, because nobody says a word as I make my way to the bar.
He’s sitting at a table in the far corner. A jazz trio plays standards on the stage. The piano’s a quiet lilting in the low light. I pause near the bar and think about turning around because it’s not too late, I can forget about this insanity, I can run away and save myself and stick to being a good girl like I promised Grandfather I would—
But he looks up and I know I’m staying.
It’s the glint in his eye. It’s only there for a moment, but I swear he’s excited to see me, and his gaze rakes down my dress and back up to my eyes before he quirks an eyebrow and gestures for me to head over. I walk with as much dignity as I can muster despite feeling like I’m about to vibrate myself to pieces.
“I almost didn’t think you’d show,” he says as he stands and greets me. He comes closer, touches my hip, and kisses my cheek. It’s all perfectly ordinary except for the way my body reacts like he’s whispering something filthy in my ear. He smells like musk and cinnamon and spice, and I feel like I’ve definitely lost my mind.
“I almost didn’t,” I admit and sit across from him. He gestures for the waiter and orders wine.
“Why not?” He tilts his head, still smiling slightly, that scar puckering his mouth. On a lot of people, it might be ugly—but on him it’s fascinating and I can’t stop staring at his lips. “You sounded… determined on the phone.”
“I might be second-guessing myself.”
“Don’t. Have some wine instead.” He laughs as the waiter pours me a glass.
It’s good, rich and dark and velvety, and the warmth in my stomach helps calm my nerves somewhat, but I don’t want to drink too much. I need my wits right now if I’m going to get out of this in one piece.
“It’s weird being here at the Oak without my family,” I say and swirl the wine glass to keep my hands busy so he hopefully won’t notice that they’re shaking. “I didn’t think they’d let me in.”
“You’re not a member?”
“Grandfather didn’t think it was necessary.”
“Interesting,” he says.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It’s nothing.”
“No, you can’t just sayinterestinglike I’m some sort of weird science experiment and not explain yourself.”
“It’s just that everyone in my family is a member,” he says and taps a finger on the table. “Grandpop doesn’t leave anyone out. When you turn eighteen, you’re inducted.”
“Must be nice to be an Arc.”
“Would you like to find out?”
I roll my eyes but it makes me smile. “This is crazy, you know. Are you really serious about this whole marriage thing?”
He tilts his head like he’s studying me again. I don’t know why he keeps doing that as if I’m worth staring at. I’ve gottensomeattention from men in my life, but rarely anything from someone like Ford. Sara Lynn, Kellie, Tamika, my other female cousins, they’re the pretty and successful ones with incredible hair and skinny legs. I’m the weird bastard redhead.
“Let me show you something.” Ford stands suddenly and takes his glass. “Come on, let’s walk.”
“Can we just bring our drinks? Oh, sure, okay,” I say as he strides past me. I have to hurry to catch up, and we walk right out of the bar with our drinks and into the main lobby. My eyes drift to the massive oak tree in the center of the room, and I breathe in the smell of grass and leaves even though we’re walking on marble. It’s incredibly breathtaking and I’m always struck at how strangely mystical and eternal it feels.
“I bet you’ve never seen this,” he says and leads me down a short hallway. “It’s members only and I’m guessing your grandfather hasn’t bothered to bring you here.”
“I’ve been in the bar, dining room, and the events spaces downstairs. Never though—” My breath catches as he pushes a door at the far side and steps out into a lush, green meadow. “What the hell?”
It’s a garden in the middle of a large courtyard. I had no clue this was even here—how is this even here? It makes no sense! But there’s real grass and bushes and flowers all over the place, and it’s perfectly manicured, almost to the point of absurdity.Benches are scattered throughout and a couple other members are sitting quietly watching the stars up in the night sky as the comfortable breeze ruffles through the flowers. Ford nods to them as we pass and I smile awkwardly, and it’s not easy to walk in my heels in this so I stop and take them off.
