After a few loops, I see everyone has gone inside, and I take the back entrance where there are trees and other trucks to hide me. It’s dark by now, but I need to somehow get closer even though I know I can’t. From where I’m positioned, I can see straight into the kitchen, and luck is on my side. Eve is seated there at the counter with her big notebook and a group of people surrounding her. They’re all happy and listening intently, and I’m sure she’s giving orders on what needs to be done.
I reach under the seat and grab my binoculars. Yes, this might make me even crazier, but I’ve already crossed so many lines, why not a few more? I use them to zoom close so I can watch her from a distance. Getting her in my sights eases the ache in my chest, and I sit there for a long time just observing her while she works.
She’s grace under pressure as more people come in and out of the kitchen and she checks off her list. The back parking in the house is beginning to fill up, and the hired valets are moving cars. People are arriving with gifts, and from what Eve told me, they are all going to charity. It was her idea, and one that is exactly like her. She’s so kind and thoughtful, and of course she would want to host a party while giving to the children’s hospital.
I get an alert on my phone and see it’s Tori telling me that Penelope is arriving at the party now and to meet her out front. I purposely didn’t give her my number because although I can handle Penelope, I don’t need her to have my personal phone number.
It’s not hard to sneak out of the truck and around the house with all that’s going on. I spot Penelope at the top of the stairs and move quickly. She’s in a black dress, which seems a bit odd for a festive holiday party, but it matches her soul, so why not?
“You know it’s ridiculous I have to text with Tori about where you are. He’s just as rude as you.”
“What can I say, I see the potential in him.” I make no move to touch Penelope, but I do hold the door for her as we walk inside.
As I suspected, Rich is right there, and his eyes narrow as he sees me. “Rich, it’s so great you’re putting on this party tonight. What a great way to give back,” I say, laying it on thick. I snatch the box Penelope is holding and place my envelope of cash on top of it. “Where should I put our gifts?”
“By the tree,” he says through clenched teeth, and I smile as brightly as I can manage.
Penelope takes Rich’s arm and leads him over to the bar for a drink, and I make my way around the room. It’s already so crowded that I can hardly see from one side to the other. Do these people have nothing else to do on Christmas Eve? I think about what I’d be doing right now if it was just Eve and me, and none of it involves a room full of people. I place the gifts by the tree and then slowly make my way through the sea of bodies. I’m hoping to surprise Eve by being here and maybe finding some mistletoe.
“There you are,” Penelope coos as she passes me a glass of eggnog. “So tell me, you’ve got that big house all to yourself tonight?” The room is so crowded she’s pressed against me, and I can’t back away from her.
“No,” I say in confusion as I try to move, but she keeps stepping with me. I feel her arm come around my waist, and I hold my free hand up to tell her to stop.
“Perfect, then you can come back to my place.”
Just then I glance up and over the crowd I see Eve on the stairs talking to Rich. He’s leaned over her, and it’s too damn close for my liking, but just when I’m about to get away from Penelope, she looks my way.
Eve stares at me, with a woman pressed against my chest and a drink in my hand, and I know exactly what she’s thinking. That I didn’t tell her I would be here, or that I would have a date. And I certainly didn’t tell her that I would do this right in the middle of a party like I didn’t kiss her with all my heart a few hours ago.
The moment it all registers I see her eyes begin to form tears and she runs up the stairs. To my horror I see Rich place his hand on her lower back right near her ass as he follows her.