Page 7 of Park Avenue Princess

Chapter 2

Guy – Present day – New York

“Thanks again for yesterday, Hollis. Considering it’d been short noticeandthe day before Ben’s birthday.”

The man chuckles as his hand slaps down on my shoulder. “No worries, Guy. It was actually pretty cool, and it never hurts to make more connections.” Hollis had graciously filled in at a business seminar I had arranged at Queens College, when the planned speaker on the topic of his career had to cancel unexpectedly. “Besides, today is all that matters, and you know the ladies did all the fuss for this party without any help from me.” He squeezes my shoulder before dropping his hand and quickly snagging the waist of his wife who’s been rushing about. “Isn’t that right, babe?” Hollis kisses Elodie’s temple.

“Mm hmm, sure, whatever you say,” Elodie murmurs. She’s clearly preoccupied with other thoughts as her gaze scans the room. “Didn’t you confirm Addison and Peter were coming? Why aren’t they here yet?”

Hollis pulls Elodie around to face him, both hands on her hips. They’re a gorgeous pair and I couldn’t be happier for them. Elodie’s a striking, gregarious woman with blonde hair, blue eyes, sharp tongue, and a killer figure. I’ve known her since we were kids and I never thought I’d say how much motherhood looks damn good on her. And in the handful of years I’ve known Hollis, I’ve seen how much the right love can change a person. His pretty-boy looks, as Elodie describes him, with dark hair and bright green eyes that can be caring or calculating are a stark contrast to hers. But beyond their physical differences, together they complement one another perfectly.

“Hey, relax,” Hollis says, trying to soothe his wife. “They’ll be here. Aunt Addy and Uncle Petey wouldn’t miss Benny’s party for the world.”

Elodie laughs, nuzzling her nose against her husband’s. “Always with the nicknames. Who the hell started all that?” Her words hold no heat as she smiles at Hollis.

“That’d be Lynnie,” he chuckles. “Addison wasn’t too keen on her sharing that little tidbit, but as soon as Ben started calling her Addy, she was hooked.”

“Speaking of, is Lynne going to be here too?” Elodie takes another look around before her gaze swings back to me, looking like she’s just realizing I’m here. “Shit, Guy, I’m so sorry.” She untangles herself from her husband, who pouts playfully when she wraps me in a hug. “I didn’t mean to be rude. I’m so glad you came.”

“Me too,” I say before holding her at arm’s length. “You look beautiful.” I glance over her shoulder at Hollis. “You’re a lucky man.”

He steps up to his wife’s side. “Don’t I know it.”

Elodie grins as she looks from Hollis back to me. “Not bad for a girl from Queens, eh?” She laughs. “And you!” She squeezes my hands. “My littleGuyfrom the burg, all growed up and living in the big city,” she teases.

I roll my eyes and groan as we release each other’s hands. “I’m never gonna live down my little boy crush on you, am I? And don’t you mean the borough?”

Now Elodie rolls her eyes. “Burg, borough. Whatever. Burg’s easier to say. And the other answer isneveron your crush. I have fond memories of you following me around, trying to get my attention. Trying to make me laugh and smile.” Her smile turns a little sad before it shines brilliantly again.

Once upon a time, while growing up together in Queens, Elodie was a bright spot in the neighborhood. Until her parents’ car wreck damaged the family. My efforts to make her happy doubled, and for a time I thought I was doing a damn fine job of finally winning her over. But she had made it clear I would always be in the friend-zone. In hindsight, it was for the best, because I wouldn’t change our current situation for the world.

“So,” I start, moving on to a different subject. “Back to thisLynne. Who is she and why wouldn’t she be at the biggest party of the year?” I wink at Elodie.

This is only the second birthday party I’ve attended for Elodie and Hollis’s son, Ben, who is turning four today, and it appears it’ll out-do last year’s, which was fairly low-key. And rightfully so, as last year the focus was on Hailey, Hollis’s niece he and Elodie are raising. She celebrated her sweet sixteen, and from what I’d heard, the ladies went all-out to make it memorable for the teen.

Said teen was currently racing around the room with Ben on her shoulders, his laughter pure and boisterous.

“Lynne is a friend and colleague, but, no,” Hollis starts as he then looks to Elodie, “She sends her last-minute regrets. She isn’t able to make it. There’s a group text on your phone but you’ve been running around like a mad woman, not stopping a moment to even breathe.”

“I just want everything to be perfect.”

“Babe, he’s four.” Hollis frames his wife’s face. “He’s surrounded by family and friends, a butt-load of presents, and cake. Pretty sure he already thinks it’s perfect.” He gives Elodie a quick kiss.

“Listen to your husband, Elodie. Look at him.” We all turn to watch Hailey and Ben. “I’ve never seen a happier boy.”

“Yeah,” Elodie sighs wistfully. At that moment the doorbell rings and she squeals. “Oh, that’s probably Addy and Petey!” She looks at her husband. “And don’t think you’ll escape the nicknames,Hollsy.” With that, she sprints away toward the door, leaving me and Hollis laughing as she greets her friends with hugs, ushering them inside.

“Oh, ho, I take it there’s a story there, Hollsy,” I say.

Hollis rolls his eyes. “Not really. It’s a nickname Hailey would call me. We’ve moved beyond that.”

“Have you now?” I laugh. We watch Elodie’s infectious joy as she smiles and chats with her guests. “Damn, it’s good to see her happy,” I say before turning to Hollis. “Both of you.”

“Thanks, man. The right woman will do that for you,” he says, nearly echoing my earlier thoughts. “So what about you? Find the right woman yet?” He grins.

I chuckle as I shake my head. “Yeah, six years ago in Hawaii. Interestingly enough, her name was Addy.”

“Really?” Hollis questions as he looks to Addison, his business partner, then back to me. “Do tell?”

---