Page 49 of Dr. Stone
“It might be small in attendance,” I said softly, careful not to embarrass myself in front of these people, “but this is hardlysmall.” I offered him a smile. “It’s beautiful, Titus. I’m impressed with how you brought your mother’s vision to life.”
“This,” he said with a touch of humor, “is the only compliment I wanted.”
Dear God. How was I supposed to walk through these crowds on Titus’s arm as if I belonged here? These weren’t strangers. They were the same people I sold Ash’s art to at the gallery, and that realization rattled me, leaving me caught between guest and outsider. Even standing in the center of it, I felt like I was watching from the edges, performing a role that wasn’t mine.
“Mitchell,” Titus’s voice carried warmly as we reached Jim. “It’s everything we envisioned.”
“That and more,” Jim replied with good humor, clasping his hand. “Themorebeing how you managed to bring every detail to life.” He turned to me, his dark green eyes sparking with quiet amusement. “Very nice to see you again, Andie.”
The man knew everything Jake knew, and being Avery’s husband put him squarely in the loop about me dating both Titus and Jace. And now? God, I felt stupid for ever thinking that was a good idea. I’d brushed it off as casual, just some fun, nothing serious. But tonight shattered that lie. Titus had pressed his mother’s jewels into my hands and placed me at his side at the grand opening of a resort built in her honor. That wasn’t casual. That was something else entirely. And standing here, I felt like some strange two-timer caught in a game I hadn’t meant to play.
“You too, Jim,” I said lightly, fighting to keep my thoughts from spiraling and just stay in the moment. “Where’s Avery?”
“She’ll be here in a moment. We landed about an hour ago, so she’s in the villa getting dressed.”
“Avoiding the guests, I’m sure,” Titus said with a chuckle.
Jim smirked, lifting his bourbon in a small salute. “Everyone knows my wife, and no one judges her for it.”
I had forgotten how Avery came from a world like mine, yet she had grown into this life without ever letting it own her. She loved Jim, not his status, and she wore that truth like armor. No one dared question her choices because everyone in these circles needed James Mitchell for something. That gave her a freedom I envied at the moment, the ability to stand apart and still belong.
But knowing that didn’t make it easier for me. This world still pressed in at the edges, dazzling and suffocating all at once. I loved dipping my toes into it, pretending for a weekend or two, but living in it, really living this kind of life? If things grew serious with Titus, I wasn’t sure I could survive it. And in that moment, with jewels at my throat and the weight of his world closing in, my mind betrayed me.
I thought of Jace.
Of the way one stolen night with him had left me feeling more wanted than all of Titus’s wealth ever could. Of how he’d carried my son into the ER, steady and strong when I was unraveling. That was what I missed—not the grandeur, not the glamour, but the man who made me feel safe and seen in the simplest, most impossible ways.
“Speaking of the lady of the hour,” Jim said, nodding past me. “You can finally exhale, Andie. Your friend has arrived.”
I turned just in time to see Avery walking toward me, her confidence like a lifeline. Relief washed through me. I wasn’t alone in this glittering, impossible world.
I loved watching Jim’s commanding CEO mask, always so severe in the presence of others, soften the instant Avery appeared. That said everything about his love for her. That was real. That was lasting. I hadn’t found it yet, but seeing it reminded me it existed, and maybe it was still out there for me.
“And here I thought you’d back out on me at the last minute,” Avery teased, smiling as Jim handed her a champagne flute.
“Hey, handsome,” she added, leaning in to kiss his cheek. “Our villa is amazing.” Then her sharp green eyes cut to me. “How’s the view from your guys’ place?”
“I haven’t seen mine yet,” I said with a smile, knowing Avery was prying and most likely spying for Jace. “But Titus promised it’s the best one, with the best views.”
“It was the least I could do,” Titus said smoothly, sliding an arm around me. “After she agreed to join me for such a special weekend.” He lifted his glass toward Jim. “To our first project, supported by one of the most brilliant men I know, who believed in the vision from the start.”
Jim, surprisingly humble for a man of his stature, tipped his glass with quiet grace before replying, “This wasn’t just about real estate, my friend. It was about honoring your mother and this country. You had my attention when you went deeper.”
“Look at these two, getting all sentimental,” Avery said with a laugh. She turned to me. “Ash told you Breanne and Alex’s firm was involved in the design, right?”
“Yes,” I said with a smile. “Are they here too?” I glanced over the crowd, scanning the glittering guests.
“They were delayed because family stuff came up,” Jim said. “They should join us tomorrow at the celebration if things smooth out for them.”
“I appreciate those two and their dedication to putting their family first,” Titus said before he and Jim moved into a sideglobally operated and ownedCEO conversation, leaving me and Avery to enjoy our champagne and a little fun gossip of our own.
“You’ll meet Bree tomorrow if they can make it,” Avery said, “but if not, I’m sure a get-together will be arranged, and well…” She stopped herself, smirked, and arched an eyebrow at me.
“Well, what?” I chuckled, eyeing Titus and Jim, who were approached in conversation by two other men, leaving us ladies to fill each other in outside their hearing range.
“Well, I’m just sure you’ll meet Alex and Bree at one of the events. I’m just not sure whose arm you’ll be on?”
“Lord,” I rolled my eyes. “We ladies initially decided this was no big thing, didn’t we? I was just enjoying being out with these two men; however, this is a bit much,” I admitted.
