Page 106 of Mr. Aster
“I’m thankful for that, but you know placing your happiness in someone else is dangerous, correct?”
I couldn’t help but sigh and kiss her soft, full lips. “Yes, I understand, Martina Burke,” I teased. “I swear, you have a psychological answer to everything I say.”
“Well, you need to know that,” she said, more serious. “If you only have feelings for me because I make you happy, what happens when I can’t make you happy anymore?”
“I don’t think that’s possible,” I answered.
“I do. Your parents can easily snap me, and then I’ll be a moody bitch at every turn,” she countered with an arched eyebrow. “Then what are you gonna do?”
“You don’t need to worry about that,” I said. “I know you are not responsible for my happiness, and I would never put that burden on you or anyone. I’m just grateful that you have brought me back to life, that’s all.”
She sat quietly, and I could tell she was still scared and hesitant.
“Do not allow my parents’ opinions, words, or actions to dictate your feelings for me or having a relationship. I amnotthem, and after our conversation, they know I am my own person, and my personal life and values are determined by me, not them.”
“Well, let’s just play it by ear,” she said. “We still have an auction to attend, and you still have your business meeting with your father and Jim tomorrow.”
“I would not be surprised if my parents are on their jet and gone before daybreak tomorrow,” I told her.
“That’s how they operate? They don’t get their way, so they run home to cry in their—” she stopped. “See, it’s already happening. This is turning me into the worst version of myself, insulting people I don’t even know.”
“Oh, you know them well enough,” I teased. “And yes, they’re going home because they didn’t get their way. They willeventually learn to leave their sons alone, or they will both be very lonely.”
“Somehow, I think this will worsen before it gets better.”
“Isn’t that how relationships grow and flourish?”
“By arguing and fighting over stupid, senseless bullshit?”
“Yes, you get through it and find in the end that the senseless bullshit isn’t worth the time or energy.”
“Look at you,” she smiled at me, “educating me on shit I already know.”
I kissed her forehead and took her hand, bringing her to stand with me, “Let’s go take that walk. Work will consume me soon enough, and I think I’d like to move the meeting from here to Jim’s office. That will give you a break from my parents’ bullshit, and it’ll save Jim a trip. It’ll also give you time and space to prepare for that ridiculous auction in two weeks.”
“Now that your mother knows all about it,” she said, stepping out of my embrace, “she’s probably got a plan to fly out a charming debutant ex-girlfriend from Manhattan to steal you away from the wretched floozy who stole her son from his high position in society.”
“Well, try as she may,” I said with a smile, “no amount of money will steal me away from the happiness I found with you. I’m sorry, but I believe you’ll be stuck with me for life.”
“We’ll see about that, smart guy.”
Chapter Forty-Four
Darcy
The last two weeks with Sebastian had blown my mind. Everything was moving along smoothly, and I finally even admitted to myself that I wasactuallyin a relationship with the man about a week ago after a delicious dinner of tamales, beans, and rice. That might sound like a corny detail, but it was the perfect storm of having a belly full of Antonio’s food and a magical night of dancing under the stars to make me perfectly content and open to every possibility.
Every day, I found more and more things that I truly adored about Sebastian, like his shy grin that was constantly present whenever we got caught up in small talk about my life or the way his dark, intimidating eyes would light up with humor. Let me not forget to mention that adorable, bashful smirk he would flash that made him look impossibly handsome and irresistible—that smirk always led to him getting laid, and I think he was catching on to it.
The winery seemed to be faring well. Sebastian spent long days working with the crew and the patrons, and sometimes, he’d work well past dinner on numbers, reports, and spreadsheets. Yesterday, I left him to continue dealing with work until the final hour before he needed to shower, change into his tuxedo, and then take the helicopter to Los Angeles, where the Billionaires Bachelors Auction was set to take place.
As soon as Margot learned about the auction, she took over the planning.Obviously,she had some control issues, so once she and her party-planning entourage assumed the task, they took off with it.
Considering the people expected to attend, I always knew this would have to be an opulent affair, but Margot exceeded my expectations. Our black leather invitations were embossed with twenty-carat gold, requesting our presence at seven thirty in the evening at the Ray Dolby Ballroom, where the official after-party of the Academy Awards always took place. Margot didn’t take any half-measures; that was evident.
“Are you ready, honey?” Natalia asked, walking back into the room where I was clasping my silver bracelet to match my black strapless gown. “And here I thought Spencer had booked the nicest suite for us when we stayed in our hotels,” she chuckled, walking up to me and readjusting the curls in my hair to cascade over my right shoulder. “You have a view of the L.A. skylineandHollywood Hills.”
“I’m trying to imagine a better room at this hotel, given it’s where the event is being held,andhis parents are staying in it, too,” I turned and chuckled.
