Rhys <Will do, how’s Drew?>
I type out a rapid response.
Me <Eh, been better. Why Sacramento?>
A few seconds later I get another text.
Rhys <CelebCast offices located nearby. That’s where the investigation is happening.>
Well, that makes sense I guess.
Me <Thanks Rhys, keep me updated.>
Rhys <Will do, Sydney.>
I call Allie and leave her a message explaining what’s going on and ask her to call her parents. Then I call my mom and leave her a similar message. Everyone’s out for the day and not picking up their phones. I’m grateful. I don’t feel like talking about it anymore.
I go into the bedroom and find Drew lying on the bed with his eyes closed. I kick off my shoes and lie down next to him, careful not to bump his hand which he has resting on his abdomen. I curl up into his side and rest my head in the crook of his good arm. He curls his arm around me and gently strokes me with his fingertips, from my shoulder to my elbow and back.
I decide that I’m done discussing this crap for now. I’ll wait until the lawyers and investigators make me rehash it. Instead, I try changing the subject.
“So, tell me about this charity ball that you do every year.”
“What do you want to know?” At least he’s talking again.
“What’s it like? Who goes to it? How much money do you raise?”
He chuckles, “You don’t want to know much now do you? Well, I don’t plan any of it. Usually, the Grady’s handle it with the event planner on their staff. It’s been on the Fourth for as long as we’ve done it. That’s Mike and Matt’s birthday.”
“That’s nice.”
“Yeah. We invite all of the big players in Boston, the mayor, hospital presidents, the governor, different athletes …”
“Oh, will some of the Red Sox be there?”
“Most of the time only the retired players make it, since there’s always a ballgame on the Fourth and it’s usually a night game. This year it falls on a Friday which has an afternoon game, so some of the current players will probably come.”
“Wasn’t Trevor Caldwell on the Red Sox and is now retired, therefore not playing on the Fourth?” I ask, grinning up at Drew.
“Why yes Miss Tannen, I believe he is,” he responds with a huge smile. Thank God, Drew is back.
“So I might get to meet the famous Trevor Caldwell? Catcher extraordinaire and keeper of disgusting hats? The inspiration for our alias wherever we go?”
Drew shoots me a fake dirty look. “Watch what you say about my guy.”
“Oh, I’m completely serious.” I put a dreamy look on my face and bat my eyelashes ridiculously. “Maybe he’ll give me a nasty-ass hat and then we can go outside and practice ‘catching’ together.”
Drew sits up and stares at me, his eyes darkening. “You’re not going ‘catching’ with anyone but me,” he growls. Leaning over, he kisses me. “Now get me some food woman, I’m hungry!”
I laugh and get out of bed. “Good thing I know how to order up some takeout like nobody’s business.” I go to grab the menu to that Indian restaurant.
“Hey Syd?” Drew calls out as I reach the bedroom door.
I turn to look at him. “Yes?”
“Thanks.”
I just smile, not needing words to convey how I feel about him.
Chapter 27
“We’re done!” I tell the workers after the last bottle of alcohol is put in its place behind the bar.
The crowd of thirty or so employees, from contractors to wait staff to cleaning crew all cheer as Violet Thompson uncorks a bottle of champagne and starts to fill the flutes that line the long, curved bar. Three bartenders open more bottles and soon everyone is toasting the completion of Vertigo.
Oliver stands on the first stair leading up to the VIP section and clinks his glass with a small screwdriver from his tool belt. Once everyone is quiet and focused on him, he speaks. “Ladies, gentlemen, I’d like to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication to completing this project not only on time, but a week ahead of schedule!”
He pauses as the group sends out another round of cheers.
“I’d especially like to thank Miss Sydney Tannen,” he raises his glass toward me, making my neck and cheeks heat up when all of the eyes in the room turn my way. “For her dedication to our hotel, even in the face of extraordinary and ummm, shall we say interesting personal issues. You still showed up every day ready to work your arse off to get this nightclub done. So I’d like to propose a toast, to Vertigo, may your clientele be as fascinating as those of us who built you! Cheers!”