Page 46 of Beauty and the Bosshole
I wouldn’t like to be the person on the other end of the line. I’ve never seen Reese so cross. And that’s saying something.
He ends the call and I run my free hand up his back and knead the tension in his shoulders. “Let’s get Max settled then climb into the hot tub and I’ll ease this stress for you.”
Reese growls and shoots me a gaze filled with desire. I may not be able to solve the battery problem, but I can relieve his stress to help him think straight.
I’m thinking about all the ways I’ll make my husband come undone as the hotel doors slide open.
“There they are!” Reese’s mother sweeps toward us in a flurry of soft fabric and lace that billows out behind her.
The boom of a bass drum makes me jump and sends Max cowering to the back of his carrier. A French horn pierces the air, and before I know what’s happening, we’re surrounded by a marching band in red buttoned-up uniforms.
I spin around and catch Reese’s gaze. He’s as confused as I am.
There’s a loud pop and confetti falls from the ceiling as an enormous banner unfurls.
The banner proudly displays “Congratulations, Ava and Reese” in gold cursive script.
Max howls and Nina grins as a waiter weaves through the band with two glasses of champagne balanced on a tray.
“What is this, Mother?” Reese’s expression is stony and his tone low, which his mother should know is a warning sign.
Nina cocks her head and brings her hand to her ear. “I can’t hear you, dear.”
Reese turns to the nearest band member and pulls his trombone from his lips.
“Get this band out of here.”
The man is about to protest when he sees Reese’s expression and thinks better of it.
The music abruptly stops apart from one lone trumpeter who’s playing with his eyes closed and carries on for a good half a minute before realizing the music’s stopped. He opens his eyes, takes in the fuming Reese, and scurries away to join his bandmates.
The waiter is still standing before us with the tray of champagne, the painted smile on his face uncertain.
Nina wags her finger at her son, oblivious, or too accustomed to his sullen expression. “You didn’t think you’d get away with a quiet Vegas wedding, did you, dear?” Nina gives me a hug, and I’m caught in a cloud of lavender perfume and talcum powder. “We’ve got so much to organize, doll. I can’t wait for this wedding.”
Reese pinches the bridge of his nose between his fingers. “We’re already married, Mother.”
“Of course you are, dear.” Nina pulls away from the hug but she keeps her hands on my shoulders. “But every girl dreams of her wedding day, Reese. I’m sure Ava wants a white dress and a party. We’ll do it all over again but properly this time. Nothing extravagant, just two hundred of our closest friends. I already have the guest list.”
Reese takes one of the champagne flutes from the waiter and downs the entire drink in one go. He puts it back on the tray, picks up the next glass, and downs that, too. By the time he sets the empty glass on the tray, his face is composed.
“If Ava wants another wedding day with a white dress and a party, then we’ll get married again. But Ava will decide how it’s done and together we’ll choose the guest list.”
Nina smiles indulgently at her son. “Of course. That’s why I’ve got a wedding planner waiting for us upstairs. Just tell her what you want, doll, and we’ll throw you two the best party Porter has ever seen.”
I smile weakly as she takes my elbow, not wanting to tell her the best party Porter has ever seen was back in 2001 when my Uncle Joe won five thousand bucks on the lottery and ordered a truck full of kegs delivered to the empty field behind his house and invited the entire town. My parents still talk about it fondly, and I’m pretty sure I was conceived in that field during the three days of drinking that ensued.
Thoughts of the hot tub sink away as I clutch Max to my chest and follow Nina across the lobby. I get the feeling there’s going to be less sexy alone times with Reese now that his mother’s here.
But she’s right, every girl dreams of a big wedding with a beautiful dress and perfect hair for a day. It is a shame Dad didn’t get to walk me down the aisle, and my cousins will be pissed they didn’t get to be bridesmaids. It would be nice to do it all properly when I’m sober and can remember, I guess.
Reese is back on his phone as we follow Nina across the lobby and into the elevator. Over her chatter about venues and color palettes, I strain to hear his conversation.
“Tell me what you know about alternative power sources for small devices.”
He must be speaking to the research and development team, but I hear nothing else because Nina has gotten too close to Max and he’s got his claw caught in the lace of her blousy-robe thing. I’m not even sure what it is she’s wearing. But the antique lace is unraveling in his paw.
“Stay still, Max.” I unhook his claw and he retreats to the back of the carrier with a pitiful mewl. Poor thing needs some peace and quiet, and I get the feeling he’s not going to get that anytime soon.