Gray stood in front of Monty who reached up to tie his tie. "Can I stay home?"

"No. If you want to be Mr. Doyle Kane, you need to get used to the monkey suit."

"I'm not changing my name and Doyle's an independent woman, she won't either."

"That wasn't my point. As a couple, you'll have to go to these events. Talk to Oliver. He negotiated with his wife, because she didn't like black tie events either."

"Your mother doesn't mind that I'm attending her gala?"

"No. I bought the table and invited the people I wanted to invite." Monty laughed. "Your future brother-in-law."

"Only if my book is any good." Gray had been working nonstop on editing with his editor.

Monty sighed. "What's your job?"

"Chauffeur, babysitter, sparring partner."

"I was serious."

"Fine. I travel with Trista Montgomery. Occasionally, I travel for Whitby Enterprise."

"Focus on Trista. You have helped with all the restaurant reviews. You have supported Trista on her trips around the world and helped with her books. I'm awful at taking notes, but you have an excellent memory."

"So what does it matter? None of it will impress Mr. Kane."

"No, but you can support his daughter."

"Are you giving me a raise?"

Monty shook his head. "Do you have any idea how much money Trista has made over the years?"

"No. A lot."

"Yes, a lot. When she became successful, I recognized your role. Trista isn't all me. You are Trista too."

"Me? I don't..."

"You do, but back then you were recovering and our arrangement worked. It continued to work until you rescued Doyle and a magic cross changed your life."

"Crazy, right?"

"No crazier than the wishes in the magic fountain that changed my life. Bea will be there tonight. Be sure to introduce Doyle to her. If you were in Bea's garden, what would you wish for?"

"For the Kanes to like me. Maybe for my book to be a bestseller."

"Not money?"

"I guess, but it won't fall out of the sky."

"Gray, I put a percentage of Trista's income in a trust for you."

"You what?"

"I never told you before because you wouldn't care. I figured you would donate most of it to a veteran's organization."

Gray looked at his friend with a slack jaw. "Is it enough to buy a nice place for me and Doyle to live?"

Monty nodded. "It's enough."

"And if my writing flops, you'll give me a job?"

"Yes. I said I would."

He nodded. "Good. I have nothing to worry about. After the year is over, I will face Mr. Kane with a real job title."

"I hope it will be author." Gray did too. "Come on. We'll be late."

"You didn't have to hire a car."

"I did, because you aren't driving and my mother would kill me if I did. Sofia should be ready. Camilla is here."

Gray felt strange sitting in the backseat. When they stopped on Walnut Street, Doyle appeared frowning, but still beautiful as she climbed in the backseat.

"What's wrong?"

She shook her head. "You look gorgeous in your tuxedo."

"I look like an oaf, but something is bothering you."

She sighed. "My parents are attending tonight."

Gray turned to Monty. "Did you know?"

"No, the foundation is my mother's domain. I just write checks and attend events. It's better tonight than at your sister's wedding."

"Can we stay home?" Doyle pouted.

"Don't tempt me." Gray didn't want to go, but hopefully having Doyle by his side would make it bearable.

Sofia said, "It will be okay."

Gray bit his tongue. Monty's father hadn't accepted her, but Monty stood up to him. He didn't want Doyle to stand up to her mother and cause a rift.

When the car arrived at the venue, Monty said, "Chin up and smile."

Doyle clung to Gray's arm as they entered the hotel ballroom. It looked like his cousin Aaron's wedding. He married a rich Cherry Hill girl. Gray had gone to the wedding after he returned stateside and got drunk. A few years ago, his mother told him Aaron was divorced. Apparently his sobriety outlasted the marriage.

He imagined his mother's comments when he told her about Doyle. You'll end up divorced like your cousin. Not another rich girl.

Monty and Sofia entered first. Celia Whitby walked over to them. "Darlings, you look gorgeous. How's my Ana?"

"She's as perfect as she was last weekend when you saw her." Monty smirked.

"I'm a grandmother. I can go overboard." She looked past her son. "Gray, you look very handsome." She looked at Doyle for a moment. "Aren't you Amelia's daughter?"

"Yes, Doyle. We met at the Art's Gala."

"I remember. And you and Gray, how did you meet?"

Sofia said, "Gray rescued her."

Celia nodded. "I remember now. What has your mother said?" Before Doyle could answer, she waved her hand. "Our generation cared about appropriate matches. Your generation values love. I can name a handful or more of happy couples who could never have married in my day starting with my son."

"My mother has forgotten, we eloped."

Gray chuckled as he remembered his surprise over their Las Vegas wedding.

"I accepted Sofia. Don't create drama. I need to check on a few things." She kissed Monty's check and then hugged Sofia. Before she walked away, she reached up and put her hand on Gray's shoulder. "So handsome." Then she winked at Doyle.

Doyle whispered, "She's nice."

Gray nodded. "Especially now she's free of her philandering husband."

They reached their table, and Gray held a chair for Doyle. Her dress opened in the back and Gray mentally debated if he liked it. She looked sexy, and he imagined slipping it off her. The other side of the coin was his good fortune meant other men could imagine something similar.

"What are you thinking?"

"That men are undressing you with their eyes, and that's my job."

"I'm not a sex object."

"Then why the hell do you look so damn sexy."

She smiled. "Because I can and it makes me feel good."

He smiled. She wouldn't admit it was for him. "So you never think of me when you dress or of how I might slowly let your dress fall to the ground."

She smiled. "It's a gown."

He laughed. Monty said, "If you are done whispering, Doyle, do you want a drink from the bar?"

"A seltzer with a splash of cranberry and a lime."

"You can get a drink."

She smiled. "I don't want one." The smile faded from her face. "Baxter and Tate are here, but they're talking to my mother."

Gray looked at the woman next to Philip Kane. She was younger which explained why Doyle's father didn't care about their age difference. They were a handsome couple which was reflected in their children, especially Doyle. He averted his eyes when she looked towards them, but not before he saw her frown.

Jimmy walked to the table first with Ivy behind him. "She knows you're together."

"Jimmy, why do you enjoy this so much?" Doyle smirked.

"I have always liked happy couples, right Princess." Ivy nodded. "I just never knew I wanted to be one. The cross played tricks on me."

"I felt different the moment she kissed me. I thought it was my compassion for her injuries." Doyle looked up at him. "I felt sorry for you and angry at the guy." Gray squeezed her hand.

"But you really loved me." Doyle kissed his cheek.

"Doyle, give Mother a break, she's swallowing her opinions." Baxter shook Gray's hand.

"Appearances. She'll let me have it at home. Can I stay with you tonight?" Her doe eyes pleaded with Gray.

Slipping off her dress, seeing just a thong. His vivid imagination and her in his bed equaled perfection. "If you don't think it will make things worse."

She didn't answer because her parents followed Tate towards them. Monty and Sofia returned. He winked, as he handed Doyle her drink. "Did someone die?"

"Mother. Ten o'clock."

Monty nodded and took a step. "Mr. and Mrs. Kane, I'm so glad you're supporting my family foundation. Please meet my wife, Sofia."

"Hello. Nice to meet you."

Gray bit back a laugh. Sofia imitated her mother's thicker Colombian accent.

"Where are you from?" Mrs. Kane's smile was faker than a cubic zirconia.

"America."

Monty smiled. "And you know my best friend, Gray."

Gray stood and reached out his hand. "Mr. Kane, it's nice to see you again. Did you sail today?"

"I did. Have you met my wife?"

"Mrs. Kane. It's a pleasure. You should know I love your daughter."

The older woman sucked in her cheeks. Doyle whispered, "Appearances, Mother. People are watching."

Gray felt a hand on his back. "Gray, my friend, can we talk?"

Gray turned to Oliver and nodded. "Do you know the Kane's?"

Oliver put out his hand. "Oliver Sumner, if you don't mind, I like to borrow Gray for a moment."

Oliver led him to the side of the room. "Monty told me about your girl. I'm happy for you. I thought you would like to know I read your edited book. Although I'm not a professional critic, I liked it. If we put your photo on the back, books will sell."

Gray squirmed uncomfortably. "Oliver, what are you saying to Monty's bodyguard?" A familiar voice stepped towards them.

"None of your business, Sloane."

"I'm on my way to see Monty." She looped her arm around Gray's.

The Kanes were still at the table, as they returned. "Monty, look who I found."

"Sloane, do you know the Kanes?"

She shook her head. "I sure my father does, Ed Calhoun."

Philip smiled. "Of course. He builds them, and we buy and sell them. We'll find our table." He led his wife away.

Monty laughed. "Maybe you'll get points by association."

Sloane asked, "What's going on?"

"Gray is seeing Doyle Kane and her mother doesn't approve."

Sloane laughed. "I just stopped by. I can send Bea over."

Monty laughed. "She should tell the Kanes how much she loves Gray."

Doyle sighed. "Please stop. My mother can smell suspicious activity across the room."

"Most mother's can." Sloane laughed.

Baxter looked like Sofia when she met Kasper. "You're married to my old coach's son." She smiled. "I'm Baxter Kane."

"I'll introduce you to my husband if you hire my firm. Sorry, I don't carry business cards in my gown. Monty, give him my number."

Monty nodded. "Should I give it to Sinclair too?"

Sloane nodded. "Are you leaving us behind for your new friends?"

Sofia laughed. "No. I'll go say hello."

The evening wasn't awful, just boring. Thankfully, the Kanes sat with their backs to his back, so he could forget about them. Doyle tried to pull him onto the dance floor.

He shook his head. "I don't dance."

"Just hold me and sway."

He winked. "I thought we would do that later."

She blushed. "Practice now."

He shook his head, but followed her because he loved her. "Your parents will see us."

She pressed herself into him as he got hard. "Is this what rich people do?"

She whispered. "Some can't get it up or if they do it lasts for three hours."

"Seriously."

She laughed, and he grew harder. Trying to reverse it, he thought of his parents. "Would you consider going to New Jersey with me?" He regretted his question immediately.

"If you want to."

"Not really, but if I go I want you with me."

"I'd like to meet them."

His father meeting Doyle would be worse than him meeting Mrs. Kane. His father thought turning the TV off was a fancy dinner.

Sufficiently flaccid, he stepped back. "When can we leave?"

"Are we waiting for Monty?"

He shook his head. "Let's not."

"Mac can drive us."

He leaned in. "I might get hard again in the car."

Doyle laughed. "You won't be the first one."

"Do I have to go to these things a lot?"

Doyle smirked. "Next is the wedding and then my mother's summer party."

"Can't we meet at the gate?"

Doyle laughed and hugged him. "If only we had known it was love."

I hoped you enjoyed some old friends. I love writing those little scenes ⭐️⭐️⭐️