Page 48 of Hula Girl

“Oh, we appreciate the congratulations,” I say and wrap my arm around Ava, squeezing her shoulder and hoping she understands this is the best way to go.

“Congratulations for what?”

An elderly man has joined us. He’s tall with silver hair and has a dignified manner. I recognize him as being a fixture in our circle for years, but before I greet him, my father speaks.

“Ah, Randall,” he says, “how are you?”

The two shake hands and exchange pleasantries before Bryce puffs out his chest and makes a show of greeting Randall like they’re old pals.

But I sense some discord between the two. And when Randall looks at Ava, there’s a tenderness in his eyes that makes me suspect he’s got a soft spot for her. I like the idea that he’s protective of her.

“You remember my son, Ford?” my father asks Randall.

“Can’t say that I do,” Randall replies, smiling and holding out his hand genially.

I’m surprised that Randall doesn’t remember me because he’s been at my father’s house before for various dinners and parties. We’ve met more than once. I suppose it has been a while since one of those meetings, though.

“Well, that’s odd,” Bryce says. “What with he and Ava beingengaged.”

All eyes turn to Ava, and I hold my breath.

“We wanted to keep it a secret?” Ava explains, her voice coming out as more of a question than a statement.

“And now the proverbial cat’s out of the bag,” my father says with a chuckle. “Anyway, we were planning on making the dinner party at my house in a few days into a sort of surprise engagement announcement. Isn’t that right, Ford?”

I grit my teeth before quickly forcing a smile. Senior has gone all-in on this thing. He wants to appear to have known all along about this pseudo engagement rather than cause a minor scandal with word getting out that he didn’t know that his own son was planning on getting married. There’s no turning back now. Telling the truth would be messier than just going with the lie.

“Well, now that it’s out,” I say, “maybe we can forego all the spectacle of a party.”

“I wouldn’t hear of it,” my father says smugly. He may not know the whole story of this “engagement” but he knows he’s got me in an awkward spot. And he’s enjoying it.

“And I’m going to make sure my schedule is clear so that I can attend,” Randall says, his eyes fixed on Ava. There’s a flicker of something wild in his expression, something he takes pains to get control over and dismiss.

“Great,” she says meekly.

“I’d love to attend if you have room,” Bryce says.

Thankfully, my father seems to have a good read on Bryce and says dismissively, “Why don’t you call my secretary, Doris, and see what she thinks. She’s handling all the details.”

“I’ll do that. First thing tomorrow.”

I roll my eyes at Bryce’s eagerness.

“We have to get going,” Ava says, surprising me. “We have that thing, babe, right?”

“Uh, yes. That thing. Gotta get to it,” I reply.

We say hasty goodbyes and she pulls me urgently away. She doesn’t stop until we’re past the pre-function area outside of the cocktail reception and down the grand marble staircase. It’s then that she turns to me and crosses her arms over her chest, leveling a hard stare at me.

I hold up my hands in a “don’t shoot me” gesture. I don’t even know where to start with this. It all got out of control so quickly that I’m still trying to process what we’re dealing with. I do know one thing: she’s hot as hell when she’s mad. I can practically see the smoke rising off her.

“Don’t you dare look at me like that right now,” she says, tossing her long hair back over her shoulder.

“Like what?” I can’t help but laugh.

“Like you want to fuck me right here.”

“Jesus,” I say, pulling her to me by her waist, “I so do want to fuck you right now. You’ve had me turned on since I saw you across the room.”

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