Stephanie Julian - By Private Invitation

He felt a twinge of guilt at the outright lie. He didn’t believe in soul mates, much less everlasting love, but the smile on his grandmother’s face was worth the white lie. “But I won’t find her because some piece of rock tells me. Besides, I like my life as it is, uncomplicated by fairy tales of true love.”

His grandmother sighed. “I just want you and your brother to be happy.”

Jared hated to see his normally vibrant grandmother so defeated, especially at a party. “We are happy. Look at everything we’ve accomplished.” He waved a hand around the room. “Tyler and I put Philadelphia on every pleasure-seeker’s map with Haven. The spa is world-famous, the restaurant is five-star, and you know we give the best parties.”

And what she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her.

Her lips curved in a small smile.

“Come on, Nana,” he cajoled. “I’m only twenty-nine. I’ve got plenty of time to find the right woman and get chained for life.” He suppressed a slight shudder. “When I meet her, I’ll know.”

That made her expression brighten. “Yes, Jared. You will. Your fall from love god to love slave will make my day. Go on, now.” She waved a hand laced with blue veins at him then reached for her drink. “I know you’re busy. I’m going to sit here and soak in the sights. Just be open to possibilities, sweetheart.”

If she only knew… “I live for possibilities, Nana.”

Over his grandmother’s head, he nodded to the bartender, who nodded back. Fred Carvell, a retired, twenty-year police veteran, wouldn’t let anyone hassle Beatrice. She’d refused his earlier offer of a table, saying she liked the constant ebb and flow of atmosphere at the bar.

He had a lot in common with his grandmother.

“Yes, you certainly do.” Beatrice patted him on the arm, and he was sure she’d read his mind rather than replied to his last statement. “I’ll see you later, dear.”

“I’ll be back. Don’t go dancing with any strange men.”

He swept into a low bow that never failed to make her laugh, then meandered through the crowd, stopping to greet a few friends before he made his way to the guest register, stopping next to his brother.

“Hey, Jed.” Tyler didn’t look up. “How’s Nana?”

“She’s fine. She’s enjoying the party.” Jared threw a mocking glance at his brother. “Are you going to glue yourself to this spot for the rest of the night or are you going to try to have a good time?”

Tyler actually deigned to look at him for a brief second, and Jared saw a glimmer of humor in his eyes. “I plan to make the rounds in a few minutes. We’re still waiting for a few stragglers.”

“You know we actually pay people to man this station, right?”

Tyler gave him his big-brother look, designed to intimidate. At one time, that look would’ve pissed off Jared. Now, Jared was merely unimpressed. He waited, one eyebrow raised.

Tyler returned his gaze to the touchscreen set into the stand. “I’m waiting for Mom and Dad. I figured one of us should actually show some decent manners and invite them.”

Every muscle in Jared’s body tightened. “God damn it. Why the hell did you invite him? Mom, sure, but that bas—”

“Be a big boy and try to behave.”

Jared gritted his teeth even as he smiled at an arriving couple. “I thought we agreed. The old man tried to run our lives for too long. We don’t need him. We didn’t need his money to build this hotel and we certainly don’t need his phony attempts to bond, now that we’re grown.”

Tyler shook his head, another wry smile on his lips. “You know, you’re a lot like him. Now, don’t get all ticked off.” Tyler raised his hands as if to ward off a blow, which made him look idiotic because he stood six-three and was still built like the linebacker he’d been in high school. “But you are. You’re both stubborn to the core and too intelligent for your own good. Be an adult for two hours tonight and let the old man believe you’re happy to see him for a change. At least pretend and make our mother happy.”

Jared grimaced at the thought of playing nice with his father but, even though he hated to admit it, Tyler had a point. It would make his mother happy. And she needed all the happiness she could get.

Still, he didn’t have to make it easy for his father.

“Fine. I’ll be nice to Mom and Dad tonight if you ask one woman to dance with you.”

Tyler laughed, but it had a hollow sound to it. “Sure, why not. But I get to pick her, and you have to dance with Mom.”

Jared smiled. “Agreed.” He knew he’d gotten the easier end of the bargain. Tyler hadn’t come close to a woman since his fiancée’s death from cancer eighteen months ago.

“Enjoy yourself tonight, Ty. It’s the start of a new year. Maybe this will be the year Nana’s dream comes true and she can marry off one of us. Not me, of course. But maybe I’ll get lucky tonight.”

“What? With the brunette you seated a few minutes ago?”

Jared’s gaze locked onto his brother, whose attention appeared to be glued to the screen. He wasn’t buying the act.

“Actually, I don’t have my eye on the brunette. Why don’t you ask her to dance? You could fulfill your part of the bargain.”

Tyler grinned and looked out at the lobby. “Yeah. And so can you.” He nodded toward the entrance.

“Hello, Tyler. Jared.” Glen Golden strode toward them, a hearty smile on his still-handsome face, his white hair gleaming. “How are you both tonight?”

Their mother, Helena, walked beside him, her slim hand tucked into her husband’s elbow.

To the world, they looked like the perfect couple. His mother’s ash-blonde hair was perfectly styled, her evening gown a designer original. His father’s tuxedo was Italian and handmade and the lines around his blue eyes only added to his air of stately appeal.

But Jared knew it was all a farce.

Suppressing a groan, Jared forced a smile to welcome his parents, sliding one more glance at his green fairy.

It was still early.

“Did you see that man’s smile?”

Annabelle couldn’t help but stare at Jared as he spoke to an older couple by the entrance. “He has a body to rival a Michelangelo. And that face. I’ve never seen anything so perfect.”

Handsome didn’t come close. He looked like a young Paul Newman, with lean, chiseled features, wavy blond hair cut short to control the curl, and blue eyes that looked like reflections of a fall sky.

She sighed. “Too bad he was just being polite. Probably has women falling all over him. What would he want— Ouch! Hey, you kicked me.” She bent down to rub at her ankle, then glared at Kate.

“I’ll do a lot more than that if you don’t stop putting yourself down.” Kate huffed. “Didn’t you get a good look at your reflection before we left? I specifically made that dress to enhance your attributes. And the man definitely noticed. Of course he wants you. You’re beautiful. The goons in college never looked beyond the glasses and the braid.” Kate’s nose wrinkled. “Of course, that braid was kind of goofy.”

Annabelle tried to look indignant, but thinking about college still made her cringe. “Okay, so I looked like Princess Leia on a bad-hair day. All I wanted was to get my degree and get out. Guys were a distraction I couldn’t afford.”

Her granddad had first suggested college overseas, where she might not be so easily recognized. But she’d insisted on Gettysburg because the program had what she wanted. And she’d be close to him.

Besides, she’d grown and her appearance had changed so much in the three years since the pictures the tabloid scum had taken of her, no one at college would make the connection between Graceanna Belle O’Malley and Annabelle Elder. No one could make her life a living hell by exposing her secrets.