Tempting Tricks (Tempting Nights #2)

Chapter Twenty-Five

~Annabelle~

I ’m not sure what I was thinking when I decided to have this housewarming party only two weeks after I’ve moved in with Patrick. I’ve barely had time to find a place for all my things, and now I’m rushing around the apartment trying to set everything up before our friends arrive.

“Patrick!” I shout from the kitchen.

His head pops out of the bathroom. He’s being a champ and actually cleaning it. “Yes, dear,” he drawls. I mean, to be fair, I may be freaking out a little and may have called his name over fifty times this morning.

“Where in the hell is the cutting board? Didn’t you say you had a big wooden one?” I slam a cabinet door closed, not finding it.

He strolls out of the bathroom—adorable, I might add, with the yellow rubber gloves he’s wearing—and points to a thin cabinet next to the stove. “All boards are in there.” He cocks his head and gives me a small grin. “Same place they were last week when you used one.”

I give him an impish smile and raise my arms in a shrug. “Sorry. Kinda freaking out here.”

“Belle, it’s going to be fine. These are our friends,” he reminds me, not for the first time today.

“I know, but, Patrick, your grandmother is coming!” I reach down and yank the cutting board out of the cabinet. “Everything has to be perfect.”

He chuckles, walking over to me. “Babe, you’re here. It’s perfect.” He drops a kiss on my forehead then spins around and heads back into the bathroom. “Gotta go clean now, can’t talk.”

I giggle and then let out a long sigh. I need to chill out. I grab several different cheeses out of the fridge for the board I want to prepare and set them on the counter. There’s a loud knock on the door, and my eyes fly up to the clock. It’s way too early for anyone to be here yet. I stride over to the door, pull it open, then scream in delight. Krystal and Holly are standing there, and they both are loaded down with goods.

“Did someone say there was a party?” Holly beams brightly, walking past me, holding a large flower arrangement in one arm and at least two dozen balloons in the other.

Krystal follows carrying a box, kissing me on the cheek as she breezes by. “The cavalry has arrived!”

“I love you guys,” I gush, a wave of complete gratitude washing over me. How lucky am I to have friends like this who know just what I need?

Krystal puts the box down and starts pulling items out— beautiful cloth napkins, an embroidered table cloth, glass candle tapers, and an assortment of other similar items.

“You guys!” I stammer, my emotions getting the better of me. “Thank you so much. What would I do without you?”

“Well, this party would clearly suck,” Holly jests. We break into a fit of giggles, me in relief more than anything else. Their very presence provides me with a whole new level of comfort.

Patrick appears from the bathroom, a smile breaking across his face when he sees the girls. “Thank God, you’re here!” He sidles up to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder, chuckling. “She’s driving me crazy!”

The next hour is spent prepping, decorating, and finally, changing into more appropriate outfits for the party. Trey and Charlie show up first, which makes sense, seeing how they live one floor beneath us. I give them both a quick kiss then scoop the baby out of their arms, amazed by how much she’s grown in just a month’s time.

“Oh my gosh, how is it possible that she just keeps getting more beautiful?” I ask, peppering her little cheek in soft kisses. She smiles up at me, and I swear, I melt a little inside. Patrick slides up next to me and steals her out of my arms. “Let me see my future goddaughter.”

He cradles her in his arms, rocking her, his eyes crinkling as he smiles down at her. “How’s my little princess?” he coos over her.

“Hi, I’m Holly.” She steps in front of me and extends her hand to Charlie. “Since this one seems to have forgotten her hostess manners.” She looks over at me and giggles.

Charlie ignores her hand and pulls her into a hug instead. “I’m so glad to finally meet you! Belle keeps talking about you, and I keep telling her we need to get together, and now here we are!”

“I’ve been a little busy, girls.” I feign a glare in their direction. “Moving and stuff. Cut a girl some slack.”

“Hey, I had a baby, so no excuses,” Charlie quips, a smile on her face. She turns her attention back to Holly. “And this is my little princess, Karina Patricia.”

I look over to Patrick, who’s gazing adoringly at the baby.Yep, her middle name is after him, which turns him to mush every time he hears it. Karina is in honor of Karen, Trey’s friend and pseudo grandmother.

“Did someone mention a baby?” Krystal appears, peeking over my shoulder. More introductions are made, and we all move into the kitchen area where I have appetizers set up. There’s another knock at the door, and since Patrick has the baby, I go answer it.

I swing the door wide, smiling warmly at Gabby and Cameron, and not just because he’s holding a case of champagne. “Oh my God, you brought booze. I love you!” I reach out and give her a hug. “Come on in.”

Charlie made sure that Gabby and I made peace with each other a few months ago, sitting us both down before she had the baby. Gabby apologized for her behavior the night she showed up at the apartment, slightly drunk and even slightly more aggressive.Yes, it was a little awkward knowing she and Patrick had slept together, but I obviously knew he wasn’t practicing choir boy behavior prior to meeting him.I was very sure that there was nothing but friendship between them anymore, especially after seeing her with Cameron Justice, her self-proclaimed savior.

Karen and Mrs. Connors, Patrick’s grandmother, arrive together, completing the expected guests for our gathering. They are friends from way back who travelled in the same social circles, and can’t be more delighted that they now have a reason to consider each other family. Karen gives me a quick peck on the cheek then heads straight to the baby.

“Mrs. Connors, it’s so nice to see you again,” I stammer nervously, accepting the bouquet of flowers she’s holding out to me.

“Please, it’s Colleen.” She kisses me on the cheek. “I’ve told you before, no need for formality.” She pats me on the shoulder. “Thank you for making my boy so happy.” She turns and points to Patrick then looks back at me. “I’ve been worried about him for a long time.”

“He makes me just as happy.” I grip her fingers and squeeze gently. “You did amazing with him. He’s one of the good guys.”

“Yes, he is.” We join the rest of the guests then and begin mingling.

The girls help me put out the lasagna, salad, and bread for dinner.Drinks are poured, then Patrick stands, tapping on his glass, clearing his throat. I had no idea he planned on making a little speech. I sit up straighter in my chair, anxious to hear what he’s going to say.

“For a long time, I didn’t think I’d ever find peace, let alone happiness.” He swings his gaze to me and smiles. “Now, as I look around this table, I feel so lucky to have each of you in my life. You make it all the richer with your friendship and with your love.” His cheeks flame, and he focuses on the table for a minute before looking up to continue. “So, yeah, thank you. Thank you for being here, for putting up with all my shit, and for helping me celebrate the next step in my life with Belle.”

“Cheers!” I stand and raise my glass, my gaze locked on Patrick’s, his shining green eyes staring back at me. And I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that the best is yet to come.

The End…