“Isobel?” Cress’s worried tone dragged my attention back to her. “Are you okay?”
I shook my head to clear the fog of uncertainty clouding my mind. “I’m just confused. When my father told me we were going to an event this evening, he said it was something to do with work. This is really Noah’s birthday?”
“Yep.” Her eyes were filled with sympathy. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about it. I just didn’t think you’d want to talk about it.”
‘It’s not your fault,” I said. “I just don’t get why my father would want to be here himself, let alone bring me and my mom.”
“I have no idea,” Cress agreed. “Maybe your dad is trying to make peace?”
“Maybe.” I didn’t share her optimism though. If Matthew had wanted to make peace with the Hastings family, why hadn’t he said anything to me? What if he was here for some other reason. What if he was here to get even.
“I need to talk to my dad,” I said.
“Okay, come find me if you need anything. I may be Noah’s cousin, but I am obviously team Isobel.”
“Thanks, Cress.”
She gave my arm a comforting pat, and I took a deep breath before turning to face my father. But as I looked at the bar where he’d been standing, I couldn’t see him. My mom wasn’t there either.
I took a few steps forward, searching the crowd, but I couldn’t see either one of my parents. I glanced back at Cress, but she was already talking to some other guests. I swallowed as another wave of nerves that felt a lot like nausea washed over me. It was one thing to face a party like this alone but something else entirely knowing it was a Hastings party. I was behind enemy lines with no backup.
I was starting to panic as I continued the unsuccessful search for my parents. They had to be here somewhere. I knew neither one of them would just leave without me. But I still felt completely vulnerable without them, and I desperately wanted answers from my father.
I decided to check back toward the entrance to the ballroom, but as I headed in that direction, I spotted Veronica walking into the room. She looked the picture of ease as she waltzed inside. Her mom walked on one side of her, and a handsome older man I assumed was her father was on her other side. I was reminded of the secret I’d been keeping for her. She’d begged me to stay quiet until after this weekend. I had no idea why, but maybe it had something to do with Noah’s birthday. I desperately wanted to ask her but, even though Veronica and I seemed to be getting on a little better recently, I didn’t really want to confront her with her parents around. Especially when I was already feeling so on edge.
I started to backtrack and glanced around the room for a place to escape to. As I scanned the ballroom, I was relieved to spot Luther. He was disappearing through a wide set of French doors that looked as though they led onto an outdoor terrace. He wasn’t Cress or my parents. He wasn’t even a friendly face at the moment, but Luther was only ignoring me at Noah’s request, so at least he was one person at this party who didn’t completely hate me.
I headed toward the open doors I’d seen Luther walk through and stepped out onto the large open roof terrace that had a beautiful view of the New York skyline. At least, it would have been beautiful if the sky was clear and the heavy clouds overhead weren’t promising a storm.
It was far less crowded out here with most people standing in pairs or small groups as they talked. The soft sound of the string ensemble floated outside from the ballroom, and it was a striking contrast to the chaotic sounds of traffic drifting up from the street far below.
Luther was alone, leaning on the wall of the balcony that overlooked the view. As I left the protection of the ballroom and started across the terrace toward him, a few droplets of rain hit my skin. Some of the guests outside glanced nervously up at the sky, but I was wasn’t going to let a few specks of rain force me back inside where who knew what was waiting for me.
“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised you’re here,” I said, as I joined Luther.
“Newbie?” He gasped when he turned to face me. I must have caught him by surprise because he’d reverted to calling me by my old nickname.
“I thought I was just Isobel to you now.”
“Right.” He cleared his throat before he continued. “What are you doing here, Isobel?”
“Apparently, I’m crashing my ex-boyfriend’s birthday party.”
“I see that. The question is why?”
“I’m trying to work that out myself,” I said. “I was hoping you might have some idea why my dad dragged me here.”
“Your father’s here too?”
“Yep.”
Luther shook his head. “Is he crazy? William’s going to lose his mind, and Noah won’t be happy either.”
I nodded, dreading to think how either Noah or his grandfather would react if they saw my father. And if they saw me. Last time Noah saw my dad, he’d punched him.
“I shouldn’t be seen speaking with you,” Luther said, quickly finishing the rest of his drink and placing it down on the nearest table.
“Seriously?” I scoffed. “I get that Noah doesn’t want you to be friends with me. But does that mean we can’t even talk?”
Luther gave me a sad smile. “Whatever you’re doing here, I hope you enjoy your night, Isobel.”
He hurried past me without looking me in the eye and made his way back into the ballroom.
“Traitor,” I muttered to myself before moving closer to the edge of the balcony. I leant my arms on the wall and stared out at the Manhattan skyline. The clouds were low this evening, and the bright lights of the buildings were barely visible in the fog that shrouded them. There was no sign of the Empire State Building or my father’s name lighting up the sky.
Light drops of rain continued to fall, though they were coming in slightly faster. It was clear it wasn’t just a passing shower and anyone else who was still outside on the terrace began to retreat inside. I had no desire to return to the ballroom though. There was too much uncertainty in there. Too many surprises lying in wait. The rain seemed a far more acceptable foe. At least I knew what to expect from the rain.
“You’re here.”
I struggled to stop a shiver running through me as I heard Noah’s voice behind me. He sounded calm compared to Cress and Luther, who had both been shocked to see me. I turned to face him. He was dressed in a tuxedo, looking as handsome as he always did. Despite his formal outfit, his dark hair was still slightly messy, and his black bowtie was loose. His face echoed his composed tone of voice. He didn’t seem angry or surprised I was here. If anything, he seemed glad. It felt like I was never going to understand this boy.
“Yep, I’m here,” I said. “I’m not sure why, but I’m here.”
“Well, I did invite you.”
“You what?” I frowned. “Why would you invite me? My father?”
Noah let out a sigh and glanced up at the clouds overhead. The rain was getting heavier, but he didn’t seem to care as he let it fall upon his face, run down his cheeks, and splash against his suit.
“Noah?”
He lowered his eyes to me once more, and they almost seemed to sparkle as the slightest smile curved his lips. “Will you dance with me?”
“What?”
He held out a hand toward me and repeated the question. “Will you dance with me?”
“Out here? In the rain?”
“I don’t see you running inside to escape it,” he said. “So, yes, out here, in the rain.”
“Noah…”
“It is my birthday, after all.”
“Your birthday was on Tuesday.”
“And yet you didn’t get me a gift…”
Obviously, I wasn’t going to get the guy who punched my father a birthday gift.
“Your girlfriend’s inside. Wouldn’t you rather dance with her?”
“It’s just a dance,” Noah replied. “I’m not asking you to marry me.”
The intensity with which he gazed at me made my cheeks grow warm, and I looked away.
“Besides, I don’t have a girlfriend,” he continued. “And I haven’t had one since you.”
My eyes darted back to his. “But I thought…”
“You thought wrong.”
I was struggling to breathe. Where had Noah’s scowls gone? Why had he and Veronica made everyone think they were together if they weren’t? But most of all, I wondered why his hand was still offered out to me. Why he wanted to dance with me so much when he’d wanted nothing to do with me for weeks.
“Aren’t you worried your grandfather will see us together?” I asked.
“I think you’ll be surprised by what does and does not worry me these days.” He drew in a breath. “Please dance with me?”
I could see how much he wanted this. I told myself that if I accepted his offer I might get one step closer to finding out what was going on. But I think a small part of me just wanted to dance with him too.
“Fine,” I said. “Just one dance.”
He smiled as he took hold of my hand and pulled me into his arms. It appeared I still had such little control when it came to Noah—even after everything he’d done.
We slowly rocked to the sound of the strings and the light tapping of raindrops against the tiled floor. Noah held me lightly, cradling me as if I were as delicate and fleeting as the mist clouding the buildings around us. Like I might disappear if he tried to grip me too tight.
“You never answered my question,” I said. “Why did you ask us here tonight?”
Noah opened his mouth to answer but then closed it again and shook his head. “It will be easier to explain later.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just trust me. It’ll all make sense soon.”
I let out a sigh and turned my head so I could look out at the view of New York. I should have known he wouldn’t give me the answers I wanted.
The rain was falling even harder now, and yet I didn’t step from Noah’s arms. My hair was starting to feel wet, and water droplets were staining the material of my dress, but still I remained in his grasp. I thought I was over him, but all Noah needed to do was hold me, and it felt like I was right back where I started. What was it about this boy that made him so hard forget?
“This is it, you know,” Noah said.
“This is what?” I asked as I looked back up at his sparkling green eyes. He’d lowered his head to return my gaze, and having his face so close to mine made my stomach tighten.
“This is what I wished for when I blew out my candles this year.”
“You wished to dance in the rain?”
“No, I wished for another chance with you…”
I quivered as a light breeze skirted across my wet skin, but I wondered if perhaps my trembling was born as much from the feel of Noah’s body against mine. I hated dancing, and I hated him, and yet somehow, he had me in his arms. He made me want to stay in the rain.
“How could that be what you wished for after everything?” I whispered.
“Because despite the way I’ve acted and despite what you may think, everything I’ve done has always been for you. For us.”
My breath caught, and I stilled in his arms. I was trapped by his gaze. Confusion swirled through me as I tried to make sense of his words. What did he mean he wanted another chance with me? How could everything he’d done have been for us? Why did he even think there still was an us?
While I didn’t fully understand, the way Noah was looking at me told me he was very clear about what he meant and how he felt. He was looking at me like he wanted to stay out here in the rain dancing with me all night. He was looking into my eyes with the same adoration he’d had when we were together. He was looking at me like I was the only thing he wanted. And I knew I shouldn’t be dancing with him.
I quickly stepped from his arms. It had been one thing to agree to dance with him when I thought he hated me, but when he was saying these things to me and looking at me this way, it felt wrong. I was with Wes, and dancing with Noah was starting to feel like I was betraying him.
A flicker of hurt crossed Noah’s eyes as he stared across the space between us. He nodded though, and I knew he understood.
The music came to a halt mid-song, and all that remained was the drumming of rain across the ground and the muffled buzzing of traffic in the distance. Noah glanced toward the ballroom and swallowed.
“We should get inside,” he said. “You’re going to want to hear my birthday speech.”
He gestured for me to go first, but I folded my arms and nodded for him to lead the way. “You’re the one they’re waiting for.”
He hesitated but then started back toward the ballroom. I kept my distance as I trailed behind him. I didn’t want us to be seen entering the room together. By the time I walked through the French doors, people were already gathered on the dance floor in front of the stage the band had been playing on.
William stood on the stage, looking down at the crowd, a wide smile pasted across his face. He held himself with such arrogance and superiority it was as though he genuinely believed himself better than every other person in the room.
“Where’s Noah?” He spoke into a microphone as he surveyed the crowd from his spot above them. “Where’s my grandson?”
Noah bounded up the steps to join his grandfather, and William’s smile dropped when he saw Noah’s wet suit. He covered his reaction quickly though, and I doubted many in the crowd would have noticed it. I hadn’t realized just how wet we’d both gotten while we were on the terrace, but as I glanced down at my own dress, I realized I must have looked just as damp as Noah.
“Isobel, there you are.”
I turned to see my mom squeezing her way through the crowd toward me. Matthew was right behind her.
“What happened to your clothes?” Her voice trailed off as her attention flicked to the stage and she realized Noah was soaked through too.
“Don’t ask,” I replied.
Mom gave me a look that told me she had plenty of questions to ask but would save them until later. What had I been thinking, dancing in the rain with Noah. I was just grateful William Hastings hadn’t noticed me.
“We need to talk,” I said, turning narrowed eyes on my father. He was in serious trouble for not telling me the truth about this party, and I had a whole lot of questions I needed answering.
He swallowed and nodded. “We will. Soon.”
I wanted to argue with him and demand he answer my questions here and now, but William’s voice filled the room again as it boomed into the microphone.
“It appears my grandson forgot his umbrella this evening,” William said, and amused murmurs rippled through the watching crowd. As they quieted, William proceeded to welcome everyone to the party. He was clearly an experienced public speaker, and he came across as charismatic and charming as he spoke.
It felt like I was seeing a completely different side to William Hastings—the side he must have portrayed to most of the world. It was a side I’d yet to encounter, and despite the beaming smile on his face and his jovial tone, I saw his manner for what it truly was—a show.
He heaped praise upon his grandson, explaining to the crowd how Noah was a fine man of maturity and talent well beyond his eighteen years. To me, William’s words just sounded like another well-rehearsed part of the performance, but most of the guests seemed to be lapping it up.
“Tonight is not just a celebration of Noah’s eighteen years though,” William continued. “It also marks the beginning of a new chapter for Hastings Laboratories. Noah’s birthday has marked the release of the trust his father left for him. And as such, I am pleased to welcome him as Hastings Laboratories’ newest minority shareholder. Noah is the future of our great company, and I know he will revolutionize my business for the future. I look forward to seeing what kind of innovation he brings in the next few years and beyond.”
The crowd started clapping politely, and Noah smiled brightly next to his grandfather, bowing to his adoring guests. William wore a proud expression, but the fevered look in his eyes made me wonder if he felt the applause was as much for himself as it was for Noah.
“As you all know,” William said over the fading applause as he returned to his speech. “Noah has been—”
“Excuse me, Grandfather.” Noah stepped forward and placed a hand on William’s shoulder, cutting him off. “Might I say a few words?”
William frowned slightly at his grandson, clearly annoyed by the interruption. I thought he was going to outright refuse Noah’s request, but he seemed to reconsider because of the room full of people watching on.
William slowly started to nod. “I’m sure a few quick words would be fine.” I didn’t miss his emphasis on quick.
“Oh, this won’t take long,” Noah replied. He took the microphone and walked to the very front of the stage, leaving his grandfather standing behind him.
“I wanted to thank you all for being here tonight and my grandfather for such kind words,” Noah said. “And he’s right. I do intend to revolutionize our company for the future. But this is not something you will have to wait several years to see. No, in fact, I’ve already taken decisive and effective actions since my trust was released on Tuesday.”
Murmurs passed through the crowd, and William Hastings was looking more and more uncomfortable that he didn’t have control of the microphone. It was obvious he was unsure what his grandson was going to say next. His hands formed tight fists at his side as he stepped beside Noah.
“What is this about, Noah?” he asked, his clenched teeth only partially hidden by a forced smile.
“Well, Grandfather, Hastings Laboratories has been sold.”
Gasps rippled through the crowd. William grabbed Noah by the elbow and yanked the microphone toward him, covering it with his other hand. “What are you talking about?” he hissed. “You don’t have the power to sell my company.” Despite his best efforts, William’s voice was still easily picked up by the mic, and it echoed in the speakers so everyone could hear.
“Actually, I do,” Noah replied, shrugging him off and pulling the microphone free. While he wasn’t speaking directly into the microphone anymore, he was hardly trying to keep his voice down and clearly didn’t care that everyone in the room could hear him.
“You should have been more careful when you were desperately looking for cash to keep the company afloat,” he said. “I went to the main investor you found, and it wasn’t hard to convince him to part with his share of Hastings. In fact, he’s been looking to get out of your failing company for a while. Combined with my share of the company, we hold the controlling interest. Well, we did hold the controlling interest…”
William balked, his gaze darting toward the crowd. I wasn’t sure if he was more livid about what Noah had said or because we’d all just overheard it. Everyone in the room was staring at the stage in silence, desperately waiting to hear more.
Noah gave his grandfather a defiant grin before he turned to the crowd and lifted the microphone to his mouth once more. “With that in mind, I would like to introduce you all to the new owner of Hastings Laboratories. The man who will lead the company into the future—Matthew LaFleur.”
Noah held out his arm and pointed at my father, but his eyes went straight to me. He’d sold the company to Matthew? Was this for real?
Matthew left my side and made his way to the stage. He walked so calmly despite the eyes of everyone in the room falling on him. I was far from calm, and a million questions raced through my mind. Why would Noah do this? Why would Matthew want this? Why hadn’t either of them told me? At Thanksgiving, Matthew had said he wanted to take a step back from his company to focus more on family. This hardly seemed to fit with that wish.
“Did you know about this?” I murmured to my mom.
She shook her head. “I had no idea.”
Matthew was just about to reach the top of the stairs and step onto the stage when William snatched the microphone from Noah and addressed the stunned crowd. “I think that’s enough theatrics for one night,” he said. “Ignore my grandson. He’s had a few too many birthday drinks. Please enjoy your evening.”
He signaled for the band to start playing again before he took Noah’s elbow and dragged him to the edge of the stage. Not that William could really drag his grandson anywhere, given his size, but Noah followed without complaint. They seemed to be heading straight for Matthew, so my mom and I rushed over to back him up.
“You will not be taking my company,” William growled as he confronted Matthew.
“You’ll find I already have,” Matthew replied. “There’s nothing you can do.”
“The hell there is. I’ll die before I let a LaFleur take the one thing I care about in this world.”
“Ouch,” Noah said from beside his grandfather, but he looked like he was struggling to withhold a smile. He kept trying to catch my eye, but I refused to look at him.
“You.” William’s gaze had moved past Matthew and settled on me. He’d been angry before, but his eyes seemed to light with uncontrollable fury when he saw me. He looked me up and down, and I wrapped my arms around my body as his gaze focused on my wet clothes
“This is your fault,” William growled at me. “Another LaFleur woman infecting a Hastings boy just so you can burn our family to the ground.” He moved toward me, but Noah stepped between us.
“Touch her, and you’ll lose more than just your company.” Noah’s eyes bored into his grandfather, and William stopped in his tracks.
“You fool,” William spat before pointing a long finger past Noah. “Are you really going to turn your back on your family because of this girl?”
My mom wrapped her arms around me, drawing me back toward her as my father stepped closer to Noah. William’s eyes were still locked on me. There was so much anger and hatred burning within them, and in that moment, I thought he might be capable of anything. It shook me to my core.
“I’m not turning my back on my family,” Noah said. “I’m turning my back on you.”
William tore his gaze from me, and his anger mixed with confusion as he considered his grandson. After a moment, William seemed to remember we had an audience, and he glanced around at the watching crowd. The music was playing again, and they might not be able to hear clearly, but it was obvious how aggressive William was being.
He took a breath and then stepped back. Threatening a teenager in the darkness of a parking lot was one thing, but doing it in such a public forum was something else entirely. He’d lost control, and now people were seeing him for the man he truly was.
“I suggest you leave,” William said, his voice now scarily calm. “As to whatever deal you think you’ve struck, I’ve seen no documentation. My lawyers will tear this shoddy agreement to shreds. And then, you’ll pay for this.”
He had been talking to Matthew, but when he issued his threat, his gaze fell back on me. Now he was more composed, his warning became even more chilling. There was less emotion in it but much more determination. Without another word, he turned and stormed off the stage and disappeared through a side door.
“Maybe it’s time we went home,” my mom suggested, gently touching Matthew on the shoulder. Even though William had gone, she still had a protective arm wrapped around me.
‘While I don’t want to leave on William’s orders,” Matthew said, “I agree. I think everyone has enjoyed the show long enough.”
I looked around at all the guests still watching us. The whispers and murmuring had returned and could be heard over the sound of the strings. Matthew was right; we’d had more than enough attention for one party. Besides, I had no idea what had just happened, and I wasn’t going to get an explanation with all these people looking on. I needed answers, and I needed them now.
