16. King

16

KING

If someone would have told me that I'd be at a fashion show twice in two weeks, I wouldn't have believed them. But today, there's nothing that could keep me away from here. It's been a few days since Haven agreed to marry me, and now I'm doing my best to wear her down on setting a date. Since she agreed, it's made me a crazy person, and I want anyone and everyone to know she's mine.

There's a fundraiser that I have to attend tonight, so my sister, Chrissy, and I are here for Haven's show, and then the three of us will be going to the fundraiser together.

"Oooh, first row… fancy. Remind me to go places with you more often." Chrissy preens sitting ne xt to me. She's looking at everything in awe. We're already halfway through the show, and my eyes are focused on the stage, waiting to see Haven.

"Enjoy it. Haven should be out soon." As we're waiting for Haven to come out, I lean over and whisper, "How'd your date go the other night?"

She rolls her eyes. "Great, until Gabe showed up at the Whistler and sat down between us. He's taking this big brother, best friend thing a little too far. Geez, anyone I try to date gets the third degree."

I agree that Gabe takes it a little too far sometimes, but I'm still going to have his back on this one. "You can't be mad. You're our little sister… we have to look out for you. It's like a rule or something."

"I'm thirty-three years old, King. I think I can handle a date in downtown Whiskey Run. I mean, come on, everyone knows you guys, and most guys are too scared to even date me. I have to say yes to the ones that actually have the guts to ask."

I look at her skeptically. "But do you?"

She is frustrated, but she changes the subject. "I can't believe you're getting married… and to someone I haven't even met."

For the first time, I turn my attention to Chrissy. I hate to think I've hurt her feelings. Everything has happened so fast, but I'm not slowing it down. That's why I invited Chrissy to tag along with us tonight. "You're going to love her, sis."

She turns her full body to the side to look at me. "Oh, I'm sure I will. How about you? Do you love her?"

I lock gazes with her, and I don't have to explain my past or who I am. Chrissy is seven years younger than me, but she knows what we all went through. "I'm incapable of love."

I turn to look at the stage, and Haven is walking straight to us. She's smiling, but it's not the smile I'm used to, and she looks between Chrissy and me before turning and walking back the way she came.

I'm not sure why, but I feel unsettled.

As she disappears off stage, Chrissy leans into me. "I don't think you're as incapable of love as you think you are."

I don't answer her because I can't. I'm not sure what this feeling is because it's all new to me. The obsession I have for her, the jealousy, the possession that haunts me when I think of her tells me that I'm feeling more for her than I've ever felt before. "Come on. Let's go."

Chrissy stands up. "Go? What about Haven? "

"We're going to get her."

As soon as I make the decision, I'm leading Chrissy toward the back of the room. I'm not sure if I can get backstage, but I need to see her. I am familiar with the look I saw on her face because I felt the same way when I saw her with Victor the first time.

As we get backstage, there's a hush in the room, and then everyone starts talking at once. A woman that is scantily clad walks up to me. "Ridge Beckett, I'm Cathy. Thank you so much for coming to the show."

I nod and angle my body to get past her without touching her and then I don't stop until I get to where Haven is standing. She's still looking between Chrissy and me, and I realize now I should have told her I was bringing my sister. I hold my hand palm up in front of her, and she looks at it in surprise. It's like I'm holding my breath until she puts her hand in mine. "Haven, you're beautiful." I lean in and whisper in her ear, "She's my sister. You have nothing to be jealous of."

She blushes, and her eyes light up. I pull her against my side. "Haven, this is my sister, Chrissy. Chrissy this is Haven, my fiancée. "

Haven gasps when I introduce her as my fiancée, but I can't ask her about it because Chrissy squeals excitedly. Thankfully, I've already told her about Haven's aversion to touch, and she doesn't reach for her. She gives her a little wave. "Haven, it's so good to finally meet you."

She nods her head. "It's so good to meet you too. King has told me so much about you."

"This is so amazing. I'm so over being the only girl, and I'm excited to finally have a sister."

An emotion like I've never seen comes over Haven, and she murmurs, "Me too."

I pull Haven into my chest, wanting to soothe her, and whisper against her ear, "Get dressed, peaches, so we can get to the party."

She nods against my chest. "Okay. I'll be ready in five minutes."

"No rush."

Chrissy is looking between us, and Haven smiles shyly at her. "You want to hang out here with me to get ready?"

Chrissy nods, and I leave the two of them with the promise I'll be waiting for them. As soon as I walk out the door, cameras are going off, but I ignore them and stand off to the side. The flash of the bulbs is annoying, but I've learned that if I engage, it escalates quickly. So I pull out my phone and start returning emails that I've been ignoring.

Hardly any time at all goes by, and Haven and Chrissy are walking out laughing together. "That was fast."

"I told you it would only take five minutes." She turns side to side. "Do I look okay? I brought three dresses, but Chrissy and I thought this one was the best for tonight."

I take the bag off her shoulder and put it over mine, and then I take her hand, bringing it up to my lips. I want to kiss her, but right now, this is the best I can do. I'm not sure how she'd react if I do what I want to do and kiss her lips instead. The flash bulbs are going off all around us, but I tune them all out because I'm one hundred percent focused on Haven. "You look stunning."

She blushes and leans in. "Uh, King, we're putting on a show."

"Does it bother you? Being seen with me?"

She laughs, slapping her hand against my chest and tries to play it off, but something in my face makes her somber. "No, of course not. I couldn't be prouder than to be seen with you. "

I bring her against me and whisper into her ear, "I wish we were alone."

Chrissy snickers and leans in. "Well, you're not. Now let's get out of here. You two have the rest of your lives to be all sappy with each other. I'm ready to mingle."