Baxter stood in front of the mirror to tie his tie. Ivy had disappeared two hours before and he missed her. It was silly because they were separated for entire work days, but to know she was in the house felt different. Satisfied with the way he looked, he walked downstairs.

Jimmy stood in his tuxedo with a glass in his hand. He raised it. "Want some of the good stuff before we face a night of swill."

Baxter laughed. "I might try the wine."

"I'm sure you will from Ivy's lips. Are you nervous?"

About Eleanor not Ivy. His girl held her own against his mother. She was more bothered to have found out he was buying Dani a dress. "It's a bonus as a reward for her loyalty."

"Like basketball tickets?"

"Exactly. If I were attracted to Danielle, I would have seduced her long before I met you."

"No. You wouldn't. She's an employee."

He laughed. "Fine. I would have moved her to a different department and then seduced her, but you and I both know I love you." Then he showed her just how much. His dick tingled with the memory.

Jimmy laughed. "I'm just as happy to be dateless tonight."

Joseph appeared looking as handsome as his son in a more distinguished way. "Elena is having a wonderful time. She needs a daughter-in-law."

Jimmy replied curtly, "She has a niece."

Baxter laughed at his friend's expense. The clearing of a throat got their attention. "Sirs, the ladies are ready."

Baxter put his glass down and moved to the front hall. Elena came down the stairs looking beautiful. He stole a glance at Joseph. Baxter wanted to look like him in thirty years, still completely in love.

Elena smiled at him. "You're a lucky man, Baxter Kane."

"I know." His mouth stopped working. Ivy appeared looking radiant and adorably unsure at the same time. It was her wholesome freckles which turned his head. Although she was naturally beautiful, glamorous Ivy looked spectacular. When she reached him, he could barely speak. "My God."

She giggled and broke his trance as her hand brushed his shoulder. "You look gorgeous."

Chuckling he said, "Those are my words."

Jimmy said, "Goodbye. Kane don't mess up her hair."

Ivy's hair was piled on her head. Baxter shifted his legs in discomfort. So much of her beautiful neck was exposed. He longed to put his lips against the creamy skin. He also longed to pull out the pins and watch her silky strands fall. Both. Later.

"What later?" She giggled.

He felt heat in his neck. "I plan to feast on your neck before I let your hair down."

When she turned to get the wrap Charles held for her, Baxter saw her back. The dress showed it all, and he feared he would be hard all night.

Macintyre smiled as they approached the car. "Cinderella found her prince. Nice slippers."

Ivy whispered to Baxter. "They're Elena's. This wrap too."

"It's okay, sweetheart. You can buy shoes and a coat."

"And six gowns."

He laughed. "Only six?"

"How often do we need to do this?"

He smirked. "Often." He had been sending a check with his regrets because he would rather stay home with Ivy. They were making a formal debut at his mother's event. "I have something for you. This you can wear over and over."

Ivy gasped. "It's too much."

"It's perfect." He picked up the concentric diamond necklace and put it around her neck. "It is a promise for forever." He thought of the ring he needed. If his parents refused to give it to him, he would purchase a new ring instead.

There was a line of cars outside the hotel. Photographers waited to get shots of the guests as they arrived, like a mini red carpet. He squeezed her hand. "Just smile, but don't respond. Leave the wrap. Show off your dress."

Ivy's lips trembled, so he brushed his against them just as the doorman opened the door. The flashes were like a strobe light. He held her tight and smiled as reporters shouted questions. It was hard to hear what they were asking, except one last question.

"Are you going to marry her?"

He stopped and nodded. "I haven't asked, so she'll be the first to know."

A roar followed them into the lobby. Ivy looked up at him. "You didn't stay quiet."

"I want them to know we're serious."

The ballroom looked elegant. He led her straight to his table and glanced around and smiled. His parents' table was diagonal from theirs. He picked a seat, so he faced it, not wanting his mother at his back.

He smiled as the director of finance appeared with his wife. The CFO would sit with his father, but Baxter invited some key employees he hired. The next generation who would move up when the top management retired. Ivy and his wife began talking, as he spoke business for a moment.

"We need drinks and then no more business talk. Ladies hold down the fort."

Jimmy was by the bar, deep in a business conversation. Doyle appeared at Baxter's side. She looked like a respectable Kane. Her dress covered her tattoos except the small K on the inside of her wrist. Kasper had a D, their twin bond.

"Where's Ivy?"

"At our table. You used to be glad to see me."

She laughed and walked away. When he returned with two glasses of wine, Tate and Danielle had joined the others. He had invited Brad, Tate's recently divorced colleague because both Tate and Ivy liked him. He had also handled an important contract for Baxter.

Brad looked the most uncomfortable. Baxter greeted him. "Go. Get yourself a drink. Eleanor should be here soon. MacIntyre went to pick her up after he dropped them off. He looked across and nodded to his father. They saved the seat next to Ivy for Eleanor with Brad to the right. His father could sit and watch his Ellie all night.

Baxter knew when Ivy's friend arrived by the look on his father's face. Baxter was foolish to think he had surprised his father. The older man lingered with his eyes, but his face gave nothing away. Obviously, he had decades to practice hiding his deception.

When Baxter turned, it shocked him how beautiful Eleanor looked. She wore the black gown Ivy had worn with Jimmy and looked ten years younger even in black. Baxter smiled because his mother hated black. She constantly complained about Doyle's favorite color.

Doyle smiled and greeted Eleanor with a hug. "I don't suppose you have any candy."

Eleanor laughed. "You look wonderful."

Baxter had to agree. His sister looked clear-eyed and radiant. Doyle replied, "You look exactly the same as when we were kids."

"Where is your brother, the star?"

"I'm right here." Baxter winked.

Doyle ignored him. "He's around. Hopefully getting drinks for us."

Eleanor turned her attention to Ivy. He looked across and smiled at his father again. Although he was talking to the men at his table, he kept looking up.

When his mother joined her husband, Amelia looked at Baxter and Ivy, and then her eyes stopped. A flicker of pain told him what he wanted to know. She knew about her husband. A part of him hated hurting his mother, but she had hurt him. The evening continued with a subpar meal.

"Ivy leaned over. "Was this fifteen-hundred a plate?"

"Not quite." He laughed. She rarely teased him about his misunderstanding when they met.

His guests laughed at various stories while poor Kasper and Doyle sat at the boring table. Even his mother looked bored which meant they were discussing business. Oddly, when his guests mentioned his new project, his table had a lively conversation. Everyone took part including Ivy. She bolstered him with her confidence.

After dinner, some speeches bored him before the silent auction, and dancing started. He led Ivy to the dance floor and didn't care who watched as he held her close. She relaxed into him. "Are you having fun?"

She nodded. "I feel sorry for your father."

"I know. My mother is hiding it. She can't even be mad at me because no one knows we know."

As the night went on, he danced with his sisters and Eleanor. Meanwhile, Ivy danced with Kasper, Jimmy, and Joseph Sinclair. Oddly, his parents never went near the dance floor. Normally, they danced with each other before dancing with him and his siblings. He was happy not to dance with his mother. The music had turned fast and Baxter sat back to watch Ivy dance with his sisters, Danielle, and Eleanor. The older woman was graceful, and he wondered if she was ever a dancer.

He and Ivy walked through the auction, and he bid on a few items. None were things he had to have. Baxter had very few needs, except Ivy. The one thing he didn't have to bid on was a week in Aspen.

As they walked back to their table, they came face to face with his mother. She smiled. "Baxter, you look handsome this evening."

"Thank you, Mother. Doesn't Ivy look beautiful?"

"Very pretty face, but caliber is more important."

Baxter frowned as he held Ivy to his side. "Like honesty, empathy, intelligence, kindness? Should I go on? She's all those and more."

"I'm shocked you dug so deep to fill your table."

"I don't agree. I invited important employees and friends of Ivy's."

"A middle-aged lawyer."

"Yes, but he is also Tate's coworker. He proved himself very valuable. I would explain, but I know you find business boring. Ivy finds it interesting. You know my assistant is like family, but the other secretary is a close friend of Ivy."

"I don't care about her."

"Mother, if you would like to get to know Ivy, it would make me happy."

He pulled Ivy aside and walked away. Ivy trembled, so he quickly pulled her onto the dance floor. Leaning over he whispered. "It's okay. She's more upset about Eleanor than you, right now."

"Angering her will only make her hate me more."

"Sweetheart, it's her loss. I plan to marry you. If she doesn't embrace us, then she'll miss out."

"She's your mother."

"Yes, and I'm not Jimmy who likes revenge, but I will protect you." He brushed her lips and smiled. "Smile. You get me tonight."

She laughed, as Baxter looked to see his mother watching them. When they finished their dance their table was empty. He looked across and his father's seat was also empty. As he looked around, Eleanor entered the ballroom through one door and a moment later, his father entered through another.

When Eleanor reached them, she said, "I'm tired."

Baxter took out his phone and tapped. "The car will be out front for you."

"Thank you." She turned to Ivy. "Darling, you look beautiful. Don't let anyone tell you that you don't belong."

Baxter smiled. "Listen to her."

Ivy smiled. "Goodnight."

When they turned back to their table, his siblings and Danielle sat waiting for them.

Tate looked at him. "What did Mother say?"

"Same story. I don't care."

Kasper said, "You should fly to L.A. with me and Doyle."

"I'll go." Danielle covered her mouth.

Baxter said, "You and I have to work and Ivy has school."

Tate said, "I'm not going. I heard my ex is in LA."

"What happened to working for the family business?" Baxter remembered the look on Duncan's face.

Tate threw her arms up. "Who knows, who cares?"

"He's doing the next race. I really want to. I might ask Juniper from the island."

Doyle laughed. "Juniper, your love interest?"

"It wasn't like that."

"Sure. Whatever you say," Tate teased.

The ballroom was nearly empty when he had a text the car had returned. "We're leaving. Anyone need a ride?"

He saw his mother at the silent auction. They all walked towards her. She looked up at her children.

Tate smiled. "Do you need help?"

"I'm done."

Doyle looked around. "Where's Dad?"

"He was tired. Macintyre drove him home."

Baxter's mouth went dry and Ivy looked at him sideways. "He's back now. Do you have a driver?"

"Of course. Kasper, carry these to the car. Doyle, come on."

Baxter said, "Tate and Danielle are with us."

Once in the car, Tate said, "Mom looks tired."

"It's the gala and her worrying about Dad, plus her fight with me."

"I suppose."

Tate was let off first and then Danielle. When they were alone, Baxter said, "Did you drop my father at the house?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. I wouldn't want my mother to go home to find him in Cambridge."

"Sir?"

Baxter sighed. "We know, but only us. No one knows we know."

"Yes, sir."

Ivy leaned into him. Steaming up the car wasn't necessary since they were sleeping in the same bed. When Macintyre opened the door, he stepped out. "Thank you for protecting my father's secrets."

The driver nodded. Baxter whispered in Ivy's ear just before Charles opened the door. "I've wanted to take your dress off all night."

She giggled. When she stopped, she said, "Was that a smile, Charles?"

"I enjoy seeing you happy, miss."

"Me too, Charles. Me too." Baxter intended to make her happier behind closed doors.

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