Page 99 of The Baby-whisperer and the Brute
Sully turned to look at the gorgeous brunette who lit up the already glamorous courtyard in a formfitting silver gown that flashed iridescent sparkles as she moved through the crowd.
“Yeah. I wasn’t sure if she was going to make it. She had a concert last night in San Francisco, and the fog was really thick there this morning.”
I fought off a new wave of disbelief. “YouknowJade? I love her music.”
He smiled. “I know. That’s why I asked her to come sing a song at our reception.”
At my delighted squeal, his smile widened. “We’ve met a few times at parties, and she’s from Eastport Bay, but I wasn’t sure she’d actually come. She has a house here on Atlantic Avenue, but I understand she doesn’t come home much, what with touring and all. Want to meet her?”
“I’m not sure. I don’t know what I’d say to a famous singer.”
“You figured out what to say to a famous boxer just fine.”
“Formerboxer,” I corrected with a smile and a quick kiss. “Yes, I want to meet her, but if I start blubbering and speaking gibberish, make some excuse to pick me up and carry me away.”
“I don’t need an excuse to dothat—it’s what I want to do all the time.” He let out a dramatic sigh. “I guess it’ll have to wait till the end of the reception though.”
A few minutes later I stood face-to-face with the ten-time Grammy winner. The singer-songwriter was as stunning as she was talented with shining waves of chestnut brown hair and the most spectacular green eyes.
Their color was reminiscent of the translucent green mineral popular in jewelry making and Asian carvings and feng shui charms, which now that I thought about it, must have been where the singer’s stage name had come from.
As we talked, I found Jade’s kindness matched her rare beauty.
“Congratulations. Beautiful reception, and you look amazing,” she said to me. Turning to Sully she added, “I’m so happy for you. I don’t really watch a lot of boxing, but I watched your last fight. It was brutal. Looks like you’ve fully recovered though. You’ve never looked happier. Married life agrees with you already.”
“I’ve got a whole new lease on life,” Sully said, squeezing me to his side. “We appreciate you coming. I’ll bet you don’t get a lot of time in Eastport Bay these days.”
“Hardly any. I’m really hoping to take a break though at the end of my current tour. The final date is in Boston, and then I’m planning to just chill for a while and stay here in Eastport Bay.”
“Sounds good. I’m loving it here. Such a nice break from New York,” he said.
“Where are you from?” Jade asked me.
“Oh. I grew up here in Eastport Bay.”
“I’m surprised we haven’t met. You look like you’re about my age. What are you—twenty-five?”
“Twenty-four, but I went to a really small girls’ school, and I didn’t get out much, so I didn’t know many people my age in town,” I explained.
“You wouldn’t know it by this crowd.” Jade laughed. “It’s a who’s who of Eastport Bay and Manhattan too.”
I rolled my eyes, and my laughter joined Jade’s. “Sully wanted a big wedding.”
He grinned. “I want the whole world to see what a stunning and amazing wife I scored.”
“WellIcan see how happy you are, that’s for sure,” Jade said. “And I’m happy for you both. It’s nice to attend a wedding where I know there’s at least a chance of it lasting.”
Sully looked up as his friend and best man Wilder Lowe entered the reception area. “Wilder’s back from his perimeter check. We can get started with the toasts soon.”
Jade started coughing, as if her champagne had gone down the wrong pipe. I stepped toward her, placing a hand on her back. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Thanks.” Jade nodded rapidly then coughed again, her eyes watering and turning an even more vivid shade of green. She held up her glass. “This stuff tastes great, but I don’t recommend trying to breathe it.”
Setting the champagne flute on a nearby high-top table, she gave us both an apologetic smile. “I see an old friend, and I want to say hi to him before he slips away. Congratulations again. Thanks for inviting me.”
“I’m so glad you could make it. It was nice to meet you,” I said. “I can’t wait to hear your song.”
“Thanks for coming,” Sully said again as he watched the diminutive singer heading in Wilder’s direction. A wry grin twisted his lips. “I knew it.”
