“Good. Because I miss you already.” Tanner’s voice was warm. The tension immediately seeped out of her. They’d get through tonight, then tomorrow everything would be easier. Her mom, her relationship, all of them could be dealt with.
But now she had a party for five hundred people to finalize. Everything else would have to wait.
“Is this okay?” Van asked, walking into the office later that day. She’d spent most of the morning and afternoon running around getting everything ready, before heading to the salon to get her hair done and pick up her dress.
Tanner leaned back in the chair, taking in the sexy red gown that clung to her every curve. Her hair was down, freshly waved to make her look like some kind of old-style movie actress, and her full lips were slicked with a scarlett gloss. Tanner pushed the chair back and walked over to her, his mouth dry as he looked her up and down.
“You look beautiful,” he said, reaching out to touch her face. “Why don’t we skip this party and head straight to my place?” His voice was low. Needy.
She smiled. “For one, you still don’t have any furniture.”
He leaned forward to brush his lips against her cheek. “I’m working on that,” he murmured. “We’ve got an appointment at the store tomorrow. I want you to help choose it.”
He slid his lips to the sensitive skin below her ear, right where her jaw met her neck. She sighed as he kissed her. “It’s just a couple of hours,” she said, her chest rising up as he kissed her again. “We can’t miss our own party. I’ve been working on this for weeks.”
Curling his hand around her waist, Tanner gave her a lopsided grin. “I guess I can wait. If you promise that I can peel that dress off you later.”
Her eyes caught his. “It’s a deal. And now I need to go check on the band and the refreshments.” She glanced at the slim gold watch on her left wrist. “One hour before the guests are due to arrive.”
“I’d better get my suit on.” Tanner raised an eyebrow hopefully. “Unless you’ve changed your mind and I can stay in my jeans.”
“No can do. The dress code is Hollywood glamor.” She looked at his frayed jeans and checked shirt. “I don’t think that will work.”
It had been fascinating watching her organize tonight’s event. She’d taken care of every detail,
working so hard with the caterers, the entertainment, and the ground staff they’d recruited. It was another side of her he hadn’t seen before, but he liked it. A lot.
“I love you,” he told her, kissing his way down her neck.
“I…” Her phone buzzed. “Damn. This thing never shuts up.” She grinned at him, then checked the screen. “It’s Mom. Hang on.” With her eyes still on his, she answered the call, lifting the phone to her ear. “Hey, Mom, what’s up? You guys on your way?”
He took advantage of her distraction to kiss his way along her shoulder, breathing in her floral scent. He could never get enough of her. Not even if he were to kiss her for the rest of their lives. He wanted lifetimes. Eons. Long days filled with only her and nobody else. Damn, he wished this party was over already.
“Zoe, calm down.” Van frowned, and he lifted his head up, a questioning look on his face. “What time did she leave?”
He couldn’t hear Zoe’s words. Just a low murmur as Van held the phone to her face. He leaned back on the desk, watching her as she took a deep inhale, her chest rising up in that magnificent dress.
“Okay, just stay there. One of us will come and pick you up. Are you in your dress? Good. Don’t worry, she’ll be okay.”
She covered the mouthpiece and looked at Tanner. “Mom left the house at lunchtime. She hasn’t come home. Zoe’s panicking.”
“You think she’s gone to a bar?” Tanner asked her. Van had told him about the separation papers. And It was typical of Kim to go drown her sorrows when she could be supporting her daughter.
“Probably.”
“I’ll get Becca to go pick Zoe up,” Tanner told her. “And I’ll ask Logan to drive to Moonlight and see if she’s there.”
Van nodded, her lips pressed together, then uncovered the phone. “Honey? Becca’s gonna come to get you. And we’ll get somebody out to look for Mom. Try not to worry, okay? She’ll be fine.” Van’s eyes caught Tanner’s. She tried to smile at him, but it looked like a losing battle.
He sighed, and started calling his sister. If Kim spoiled Van’s night, she’d have him to contend with.
Van took a deep breath and looked out at the crowd. Women in elegant dresses laughed with men wearing dark dinner suits, rolling their heads awkwardly, unused to starched collars and bow ties. Waiters weaved their way in and out of the cars carrying trays of champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Mini hotdogs and little cardboard boxes of truffle-oil fries carried on the movie theme, and in front of the stage the orchestra she’d hired was playing movie themes.
Becca had brought Zoe an hour ago. When she saw her sister, Van felt the tension seep out of her like air from a balloon. Logan was still looking for her mom – apparently the Moonlight Bar was empty – but it didn’t matter. Maybe it would be better if she wasn’t here.
The hum of the crowd increased, and Van tipped her head to the side, watching as Gray and Maddie drove up in a shiny old Cadillac. Gray stepped out of the car, looking every inch a superstar, his strong, muscled body encased in the finest wool suit. He opened the passenger door and held his hand out to Maddie, helping her stand on her heels. She looked beautiful with her dark hair caught in a side-chignon, her baby bump visible beneath her champagne silk dress.
“That’s Gray Hartson,” she heard somebody say. “Did you hear his latest album? It’s amazing.”