Intrigued and Enchanted (17 page)

This has been the most amazing three weeks of my life, and I couldn’t be happier. To cap it off, I graduate tomorrow and I got confirmation this morning that I got a job that I interviewed for last week. I start a week from Monday, so I have a week of freedom after graduation before I join the ranks of the New York employed!

16

My mom and sisters are heading into Manhattan for graduation today. This will be the first time I’ve seen them since I met Brandon. He desperately wants to see me graduate so this will be the first time they all meet. I’m not worried in the slightest that my family won’t love Brandon. If anything, I’ll need to keep an eye on my sisters’ flirting. I’m more worried about how Brandon will react to them, especially when he notices that I’m not exactly close with my family.

My mom and younger twin sisters Catherine (Wuthering Heights is mom’s favourite novel) and Olivia (Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night) are really close. Cathy and Liv still live with mom, and they do everything together. I used to be part of that female bonding, but after my dad died, I think they blamed me for what happened, and we just drifted further and further apart as the years went by.

When I met Jess, she became my sister – the one I talk to about everything, that accepts me and loves me, knowing the good and the bad about me, including what happened with my dad. It’s only since meeting Brandon and telling him what happened that I’ve started to realise that my Dad wouldn’t want me to blame myself. I didn’t kill him. That realisation has lifted a massive burden from my shoulders and allowed me to really enjoy my time with Brandon, letting him get close to me both physically and emotionally. I’m a bit worried that the guilt will return when I see the blame reflected in my family’s eyes. If I can get through a day with them, they’ll go back to Brooklyn, and Brandon and I can get back to our bubble…hopefully.

Paul has organised a graduation dinner at La Catedrale tonight to celebrate Jess and I graduating. I feel like I haven’t seen him in ages. I’ve been so busy with Brandon, and Paul has been flat out at the restaurant which is a good thing. Business is booming and I couldn’t be happier for him. Jess’s family will be there, along with my mom and sisters, Brandon and a few people Paul has invited to join the party.

Brandon gave me a stunning pencil black off the shoulder Prada dress last night and a pair of classic black Louboutins. I’ve given up telling him no – he never listens. He dropped me at my apartment this morning so I would have plenty of time to get ready.

I sit in front of my mirror thinking about how my life has changed in the past month. I feel like a new person. I feel really alive and happy for the first time since my dad died. As I clasp my bracelet around my wrist, I dreamily finger the beautiful clover and butterfly that Brandon gave me.

I think today is the day I’m going to tell him how I feel about him. My decision fortifies in my mind as I finish styling my hair, straightening it down my back, and put on a small amount of make-up. Jess knocks on the door as I complete the finishing touches.

“Hey stranger. Looking foxy for graduation Lilliput. How’s the demanding billionaire?” That makes me smile.

“He’s great. Coming to graduation and dinner at Paul’s, so you can ask him yourself.” I finish my make-up and turn round to see her sitting on the edge of my bed.

“Wow. Jess. You look stunning. Graduation agrees with you.” She’s looking like she just stepped off of a Milan catwalk. Strapless black maxi dress with a purple belt cinching in at her tiny waist and purple Jimmy Choos. Hair tousled to perfection, flawless make-up and a great chunky necklace. She really is gorgeous.

“Thanks bestie. Can’t believe we survived it. Just got to find myself a job now and I’m laughing. What about you?”

“I’ve got news on the job front actually. Remember the interview I went on last week – the one at B magazine? Well…they contacted me yesterday and offered me a job as a blogger for the magazine. I’ll be reading books for a living and posting reviews on the magazine website. I figure it’s a great way to make money and some contacts at the same time. I’ll be working on my novel in my spare time and see what happens with it. The pay isn’t great, but I’m pretty excited about it.” Jess jumps of the bed and grabs me into a crushing hug.

“That’s amazing Lilliput. Congratulations. This is definite cause for some major celebration drinks tonight.”

“Not going to argue with you Bestie. Looking forward to hitting the town with you later on, after I deal with the family reunion. I’ll probably need a few drinks after that.” Jess gives me a sad smile. She knows that I don’t get on with my mom and sisters anymore. That’s the wrong way to word it. We don’t fight, we just don’t really get involved in each other’s lives.

“I don’t get it Lily. Why are they so cold to you? You’re awesome, and your dad would kick their ass if he could see their indifference.” Jess gets very protective of me around my family. I’ll need to make sure she doesn’t go postal on them tonight when she’s had a few.

“Promise me you’ll be nice to them today. I don’t want Brandon to see just how dysfunctional we are.” She gives me the evil eye, but she can’t resist my puppy dog eyes and pouty face.

“Okay. I’ll play nice. Only because you asked me to…and I love you.” We hug it out as we hear a knock on the door.

“That’ll be the billionaire tall dark Adonis. I’ll get it while you grab your bag and make a grand entrance.” She shoves my shoulder playfully and heads out to let Brandon in. The doorman and Brandon have become fast friends over the past three weeks. They’re on a first name basis now after all the deliveries and tips that Brandon has given him. Plus, I told him just to let Brandon up whenever he visits. I grab my bag, take a last look at my hair and make-up in the mirror. I’m ready to graduate.

Brandon’s face as I enter the lounge is satisfying to say the least. His jaw drops at the sight of me, his eyes full of lust and his beautiful bottom lip between his teeth.

“Wow. Baby. You. Look…Incredible. Seriously…Wow.” The thrill of his reaction sends a shiver down my spine and I feel my nipples pebble against my bra.

“You look pretty wow yourself Mr TDA.” I saunter towards him, an extra sway in my hips.

He really is breath-taking; standing tall, oozing sex from every pour, wearing a tailored black pin striped three piece suit, crisp lilac shirt and a silk lilac tie. His eyes are piercing and his hair is the perfect combination of styled and messy. A panty dropping smile cracks on his flawless face.

“Are you going to tell me what that means?” He slinks his arms around my waist and pulls me flush with his body. He smells divine – cologne, clean laundry and his unique man smell. Is it weird that I love to sniff him? Not that I care if it is, I’d still totally do it!

“Maybe if you’re a good boy, I’ll tell you tonight.”

“Baby, I’m never a good boy when you’re around, and you love it.” He’s right about that. He gently bites my bottom lip, before engulfing me in a kiss. The sparks fly between us as we lose ourselves in each other, our tongues dancing together in a practiced yet surprising waltz.

“Seriously guys. I’m in the room.” Jess breaks the spell and makes me laugh into Brandon’s mouth. It makes him smile as he whispers,

“To be continued…Miss Pritchard.”

Why do I love it so much when he calls me that? It’s so formal, but so intimate at the same time. Dominant Brandon. He threads our fingers together and we all head off to Columbia for the last time.

I leave Brandon to go and pick up my robes with Jess. I’m worried about her. She’s not been herself recently – not since Simon. She obviously likes him and he seems keen, but any time I try to talk to her about it, she shuts me down instantly, and goes in a strop. I’m going to have to talk to Brandon about Simon if this goes on much longer. We get our robes and find our classmates (Matty steers clear of me) before we take our seats.

I spy Brandon in the crowd. A massive grin on his face. I give him a little wave and blow him a kiss before turning my attention to the ceremony. As the Dean takes the podium, the crowd of graduates and proud spectators goes silent, but I can still feel the excitement buzzing around us. We sit through some lengthy speeches which are not as snooze worthy as I thought they would be. Let’s face it, we all just want to grab our diploma and celebrate.

When we get to the main event I don’t have to sit too long before Jess's name is called. I’m on my feet as soon as I hear her name, shouting and clapping for my best friend, my heart full of pride for her. She gives me a sly wink as she struts across the stage to accept her diploma, and as she rocks her robes, the male graduates show their appreciation, catcalling and whooping for her. She doesn’t so much as blush, relishing the attention. There’s the Jess I know and love.

As soon as I hear my name I hear the claps and Jess whooping from her seat. I make my way up the steps onto the stage, praying that I don’t fall on my ass in these robes. That would be so humiliating, and so like me!

As my foot hits the stage I glance in the direction of where Brandon is sitting. He is standing, clapping and whistling for me, a massive grin splitting his face. It warms my heart to see him in a sea of thousands, standing alone to applaud my accomplishment. With a renewed confidence I stride over to the Dean, accept my diploma, shake his hand and make my way off the other side of the stage.

We sit through Q to Z, clapping where appropriate and putting in some extra effort when it’s a friend of ours. The whole time , I want nothing more than to run to Brandon and share this moment with him. As soon as the ceremony ends, Jess makes her way to me, giddy with excitement that we finally graduated together. I throw my arms around her and join in the crazy revelling.

We congratulate our friends for a few minutes before scanning the crowd for our relatives. Jess spots her mom and dad, making a beeline for the proud parents. It’s heart-warming to watch. Her mom is crying and her dad has the biggest grin on his face. As my mind starts to contemplate how my dad would have reacted today, warm arms snake around my waist from behind, finding it easily amongst these billowing robes. With a kiss to my cheek and a squeeze, Brandon lifts me off the ground and spins me round.

“God Lily. I have never been so proud of someone in my life. I thought I was going to burst when I saw you accept your diploma. I’m so damn proud of you Lily. I wanted to tell the whole stadium that you’re mine.” When he puts me down I turn round and pull his face down to mine in a ravenous kiss. I feel like my love for him is going to burst out of my chest if I don’t tell him right now.

“Brandon, I…….” I'm interrupted by a familiar voice berating me from behind.

“Calm it down sis. You’re in public you know.” Of course, my family would ruin this moment for me. I pull out of Brandon’s arms, plaster my happy face on and turn to greet Cathy. My mom and Liv are with her. We all exchange hellos and they congratulate me on graduating. When I get to my mom, I swear she looks like she’s been crying, but it’s so unlike her that I don’t mention it and just give her a hug and a kiss. She holds me close to her for longer than a standard hug. I wish my dad was here. I pull back from her and reach for Brandon’s hand. I instantly feel better when the warmth of his hand touches mine.

“Mom, I’d like you to meet Brandon. He’s my…” Brandon switches on the charm that has every woman that meets him melting at his feet.

“Boyfriend. I’m the very lucky man that gets to date your beautiful daughter.” He holds his hand out to shake my mom’s.

“Very nice to meet you Mrs Pritchard.” The megawatt smile is in full force now.

“Please, call me Joselyn. It’s a pleasure to meet you Brandon.” My mom is blushing like a teenager under Brandon’s gaze. If it wasn’t so humiliating, it would be funny. Brandon then turns his attention to the twins. They are already a pool of hormones at his feet. I swear I can see drool on Liv’s chin. They both thrust their hands out to shake his in unison.

“One at a time girls. Hi I’m Brandon.” Liv is doe-eyed and ridiculous in front of him, turning to give Cathy a shit eating ‘he picked me first’ grin. How am I related to these people? This is just embarrassing, and Brandon is enjoying making them feel uncomfortable.

“H…Hi. I’m Olivia. And this is my sister Cathy.” Cathy holds her hand out to him, forcing him to drop Olivia’s and shake hers.

“Nice to meet you Cathy.” Brandon quickly extricates himself from the twins and takes his place at my side. I feel an instant relief having his arm around my shoulder in a casual yet possessive way. I love my family, but I always feel bad about myself when I'm around them.

“How proud are you of this girl?” Brandon asks, his tone demanding an answer. My mom speaks up.

“We’re so proud of Lily. She’s been through a lot and her dad would have been so proud to see her take the stage today.” I’m stunned.

“You’ve done so well for yourself Lily. It’s lovely to see you achieve your goal.” She takes me by surprise and engulfs me in a tight hug. I don’t remember the last time my mom hugged me like this. The girls join in and we have a strange, but nice family moment. I’m trying to hold back the tears that I feel welling in my eyes. I don’t want to get my hopes up that they have finally forgiven me for my dad’s death, but in this moment I feel loved, and I’ve missed it.

Things feel a bit awkward after my mom’s declaration but Brandon senses it and makes small talk with my family, giving me a minute to compose myself. He explains the plan to dine at Paul’s restaurant with Jess and her family. As if Jess’s ears were burning, she bounds towards us with her parents in tow. This provides a great distraction for me as her parents catch up with my mom and sisters, exchanging all the usual pleasantries. Jess can tell I’m a bit overwhelmed by it all and comes over to save me.

“You ok Lilliput? This big chump looking out for you.” She can always make me laugh.

“I’m a chump am I? So nice to see you again Jess.” Brandon is trying to stifle a laugh. They have a funny kind of friendship on the go. Jess makes fun of him and he takes it, pretending that he doesn’t find her crazy nicknames funny. They seem to like each other but Jess definitely gives off the ‘you’re still on probation with my bestie’ vibe. I do love how she looks out for me. I don’t think she has to worry when it comes to Brandon though. I can’t see him ever hurting me.