Chapter Eighteen | Nick

Checking my phone for what seemed like the hundred time, I see that it's a little past eight o'clock. It seemed like everyone was here to celebrate my dad's birthday, everyone except Talia. She insisted that we got ready separately so she could surprise me and that she'd take an Uber here.

I shouldn't have agreed to coming separately.

I understand that women need time to get ready for moments like these, but she's been getting ready since this morning. All I did was shower and shave before throwing on a suit I already had hanging in the closet.

Maybe I wouldn't be so annoyed if I didn't already think she was perfect and there was nothing else she could do to impress me.

"You look tense." Ryan said, coming over to me with a glass of champagne in his hands.

"I'm fine."

"Relax. She'll be here. Focus on the people that are here right now." Ryan tells me.

Anyone who was anyone in town was in attendance tonight. Family members that I haven't seen since the last birthday party are here as well as friends of my mom and dad. Everyone was having a good time; laughing, sharing stories, drinking champagne... all of which Talia should be doing if she was here right now.

"There's more people here than last year." I comment.

"You're dad is a beloved man in town." Nick says.

"That's because they don't know the real him. " I mutter before taking a glass of my champagne. I expect Ryan to say something back but it doesn't seem like he's listening to me. In fact, he completely zoned out as he stares off towards the entrance.

I follow his gaze, wondering what him and a few other people in the room were looking at, when I see her standing at the entrance.

Talia is here.

She looks like a dream in a body-hugging silk mint green dress. The material looks familiar and I suddenly flash to when we bought it together at the fabric store. Holy Shit. She made that dress!

The wait was definitely worth it. She looks incredible. Her long dark hair is sleeked down in the front and pulled into a low ponytail. Her skin is glowing more than usual and her red lips shine.

"Wow. I gotta say it... you're a lucky man." Ryan says, sounding a little stunned. I'd be a little jealous if I didn't know without a doubt that he was in love with sister.

Talia smiles at me and I feel like I can take on the world if I have to because of it. "I know."

Like a moth drawn to a flame, I move towards her but before I can get across the room, Caitlin approaches her with Isabella in toe and they're greeting and hugging each other. I'm happy that Caitlin was able to get over Talia's age and her being one of my students, but their friendship was annoying me, especially in this moment when I wanted to keep her to myself and show her off at the same time.

"Looks like you're gonna have to wait a little bit longer." Ryan says, placing a hand over my shoulder.

"Hey son," My dad comes over, standing on my left. Ryan nods his head in acknowledgement before he walks away, leaving me alone with my dad. "Nice of you to come celebrate your old man."

"I'm here because of mom, not you." I said, under my breath.

"Who is that girl? She's stunning isn't she?" My dad says as he looks at Talia, and my insides turn. My mother, his wife is only a few feet away and he still stares with no shame at another woman who is clearly younger than he is. He will never change.

"She's mine," I turn my body around to face him. "And if I catch you looking at her again, I'll make sure this is the last birthday you celebrate." I tell him just before a photographer comes by and ask to take our photo. My father and I both put on our very best fake smiles just before the flash goes off.

My dad clears his throat and but his smile remains intact. You never know who's watching and ready to publish a story about how Rosemary Beach's royal family isn't as perfect as everyone thinks we are. "Anyways, I'm glad you're here." He pats my shoulder once more before going over to talk to someone else.

"That looked tense."

I turned my head to the newcomer's voice. It was Kay-- the pretty brunette from the brunch on my first day back. She's just as pretty as I remember her to be. Her chestnut brown hair lays in layers over her shoulders and she was dressed to kill in a black dress and black heels.

"Long time no see." I greet her.

"Yeah. I think the last time we saw each other you were sneaking out of the house before your mother could even finish making introductions." She says, clearly remembering that morning.

"I'm sorry. My mother knew I wasn't interested in seeing anyone and she just sprung you on me. I wasn't expecting you and it took me by surprise. I should've handled that better, sorry." I apologize.

"Apology accepted... if you dance with me." She says.

It wasn't a question. She's taking my hand and pulling me until we stand amongst the other dancers.

"Kay..." I try to argue, wondering where Talia was and hoped like hell she didn't see us together.

"It's the least you can do for walking out on me." She tells me as she wraps her arms around my neck.

"Forgive me." I say.

"You're forgiven. Now you just gotta take me on a date." Kay tells me.

"I can't." I tell her. "I'm seeing someone." And my mom knew that. So why the hell would she invite Kay?

"I thought you weren't interested in seeing someone right now." Kay frowns.

"I hadn't met her yet." I replied.

"She must be pretty special if she got you." Kay replies.

"She is." I agree. "Look, Kay, you're a beautiful woman. Any man would be lucky to have you."

"Just not you." She clips in.

"I'm sorry." I tell her even though I'm really not.

I don't wait for the song to be over before I excuse myself and make my way towards Talia and my sister where I catch the end of their conversation.

"Thanks. I wasn't too sure about the color." Talia says when I reach her.

"No. You look amazing." Caitlin tells her.

"I couldn't agree more." I say before I pull her into my arms, unable to stand the distance between us. "Hi."

"Hi." Her smile is breathtaking and I lean down, meeting my lips with hers in a passionate kiss.

"Little sister still here." Caitlin says, clearing her throat which forces Talia and I to break apart. I wasn't finished savoring her yet. Her lips were so soft and tasted like berries.

"Sorry." Talia blushes as she places a hand on my chest, probably hoping that would keep me at bay. The only thing stopping me from taking her mouth again was the innocent eyes of my innocent niece staring at us.

"I was just telling Talia how I absolutely love her dress. Which, she made herself by the way. Did you know she was that talented?" Caitlin sounds astonished.

"I did." I admit. "But this is the first time I'm seeing just how much."

"Well I told her she needs to make me a dress." Caitlin says.

"And I told your sister that I'm not that good." Talia argues.

"Please tell her that she's insane." Caitlin looks at me for help.

"I will not be telling her that. But, I will talk to her after we dance." I say before holding out my hand for Talia to take.

Talia places her hand in mine without hesitation and I lead us onto the makeshift dance floor where other couples are dancing to a beautiful piano and bass melody. Instantly I place my hands on her hips and Talia wraps her arms around my shoulders.

"I don't think I've told you how handsome you look tonight." Talia tells me.

"You haven't." I tease her. "But it's not too late."

"I mean I've seen you in a suit for work, but you look extra hot tonight."

I can't help but chuckle. "Thank you baby." I peck her lips. "And you definitely didn't need any help picking out a dress," I tell her. "You look ravishing."

"Ravishing? I was going for a lot of words tonight, but ravishing wasn't one of them." Talia giggles.

I lean in close towards her ear. "Ravishing was my way of being a gentleman instead of saying what I really want to say, which is that I hope you didn't work too hard on that dress because I plan on ripping you out of it tonight right before I bury my head between your thighs and t-"

"Nicholas!" My mother's voice is like a cold bucket of ice on the both of us, because I clear my throat and Talia sucks in a breath.

I give her hand a gentle squeeze before turning to face my mom. "Mother, you look beautiful as always."

And she did. She still possessed an hourglass figure even at the age of fifty and she wasn't afraid to show it off in a navy blue one shoulder sequins dress.

"Thank you darling," She smiles before turning her gaze to Talia. "And who's this?"

"Mother, I'd like you to meet Talia; the young lady I've been seeing." I introduced the two.

"Young is correct." My mother says snidely.

"Mother," I warn.

"Oh relax, Nicholas. I'm only teasing." she grins. "It's a pleasure to meet you dear. Why, you certainly are beautiful."

"Thank you. And it's a pleasure meeting you too Mrs. Cross." Talia replies.

"So, how did you two meet?" She wonders.

"At my job." Talia answers truthfully. "Some male customers were being rude and Nick swooped in and made them leave me alone."

"How gallant of you." My mother praises me.

"I'd do it all over again." I admit, remembering how relieved she looked when I spoke up for her. I lean into her, pressing a kiss to her temple which makes my mother smile.

"Well, you certainly have my son smitten with you." My mother replies.

She has no idea.

"Trust me, the feelings are mutual." Talia replies.

"I must ask you dear, where did you get your dress from? It's stunning."

"I designed it myself." Talia admits, shyly.

"You're joking." My mother looks at me for confirmation.

"She's not only beautiful, but she's talented as well." I press another kiss to Talia's temple, feeling proud.

"I'd love to hear more. Do you mind if I steal your girlfriend for a moment, Nicholas?"

I look to Talia for confirmation to which she nods. "Of course. But only for a moment though. We have a dance to finish." I say.

My mother smiles before she's taking Talia's arm and leads her away in the opposite direction, immediately I hear my mother asking Talia about her favorite designer.

"Seems like mom made a new best-friend." Caitlin says as she comes up to stand beside me.

"Looks like it." I say, still staring off into the area Talia and my mother are going.

I know my mother. She doesn't like anyone instantly and if she smiled at you, she was probably planning your downfall at the same time.

Caitlin may think our mother has good intentions, but I knew better, and if she hurt Talia or what we've built, I'd show her just how ruthless a Cross man could be.

After all, I am my father's son.

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