Elle ran a hand down her bare arm to repress the heated goose bumps that prickled her skin at the mere thought of being touched by him again. Luckily, Megan’s cousin Tiffani Hollingsworth approached carrying three flutes of mimosas and handed one to Elle with a warm hug.
“I had a feeling you’d need this, Soror,” Tiffani said, with a sweet yet solemn look on her angelic face. “Your expression is priceless but you look absolutely fabulous, love.”
“Thank you. So do you, as always. You’re definitely glowing with happiness.”
Tiffani blushed. “I am. Broderick is a wonderful man,” she answered, referring to her husband of four months. “But right now I’m concerned about you and your happiness. I know this can’t be easy.”
The ladies headed to an empty table and sat down. Elle set her untouched cocktail on the gold brocade tablecloth and slid into a chair. “I’m fine. Really. I know he’s not here, but just the thought that I’m in his club is kind of nerve-racking.” Plus, the fact that one of Braxton’s jazz songs played in the background didn’t help matters at all. She’d always loved the way he commanded the piano, and even though she hated him with every fiber of her being, she could never say he wasn’t a master on the keys.
Megan reached across the table and patted Elle’s hand. “Well, we’re glad you came. We haven’t seen you in ages. Now, I’m ready to eat. The chef here is absolutely wonderful. I purposely ate salads and fruit and drank water all week long so I can pig out today. I’m trying to get back to my prebaby weight, but with all of the events and cookouts I’ve been invited to this summer, that’s easier said than done.” Megan stood and smoothed down her flowing black dress.
Elle smiled. “You look fabulous, doll. No one can tell you just gave birth to twins two months ago.”
“Thank you for sending me this beautiful ensemble.” Megan twirled and Tiffani followed her action, wearing a short baby blue dress that showcased her long legs.
“Yes, me, too,” Tiffani said as the ladies made their way to the buffet table where two chefs were cooking fresh omelets and waffles.
“You’re welcome. They’re both samples from a new collection I’m working on that will debut next spring. I love designing bridal couture, but I’ve decided to expand with dresses that can be worn to other wedding-related events. We’re also working on another collection of everyday wear.”
Tiffani placed strawberries on her plate while waiting on her omelet. “Well, I’m glad to be friends with a world-renowned fashion designer and will be honored to be a guinea pig whenever need be.”
Laughing, Elle grabbed two strips of bacon and set them on her plate. “No problem, and as long as you keep sending me tasty treats from your bakery, you have a deal.”
An hour into the brunch, Elle began to feel at ease as she mingled and chatted with old friends. In the past ten years, she’d rarely traveled to Atlanta except to visit her parents. But once they retired from teaching five years ago, the Laurens moved to Destin, Florida, and bought a beautiful beach bungalow. The only reason for her visit to Atlanta now was to meet with an A-list celebrity who wanted Elle to personally design a one-of-a-kind wedding gown. Normally VIP clients met with her at her fashion headquarters in New York City, but the superstar singer was embarking on a mega tour for the summer and had rehearsals almost every day. Elle had designed evening gowns for the bride for awards shows and her client had always praised Elle Lauren Designs on the red carpet.
A loud screech in the sound system halted conversation and all eyes landed on the DJ booth. The guy mouthed out an apology before disappearing. Elle was somewhat grateful the music stopped because it was in the middle of a piano solo by Braxton. She’d never heard the song before but she knew his signature sound. She excused herself and turned to find Megan approaching her with an uneasy expression as she slid a cell phone from her ear.
“What’s wrong?” Elle asked with concern. Megan was always bubbly and whimsical no matter the situation.
“Oh...um...nothing.” Megan smiled and hooked her arm with Elle’s a little too tight. “I just hope the sound guy gets the music back on.”
“Yeah, me, too.” Elle stared at her puzzled. “I’m going to run to the ladies’ room.”
When Elle arrived, there was a quite a long line. Remembering there was a restroom on the bottom floor where she’d first entered the club, she jetted down the stairs to the empty restaurant area hoping no one else had the same idea. A movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. Turning her head slightly, her breath wedged in her throat and her pulse sped up at the hallucination in front of her. That’s what it had to be, right? Braxton Chase couldn’t possibly be standing less than a few feet away wearing a yummy smile across his handsome mahogany face.
Elle tried to move but her stilettos were deep-rooted to the floor. She racked her brain to find what she’d always said she would do if she ever saw him again. Was it run the other way? She sure hoped not, considering her skinny heels weren’t made for such a feat. Was it slap him? Possibly but that would mean her hand would have to touch his smooth fresh-shaven face and then glide up to his shiny bald head. It definitely wasn’t to kiss him. Even though heat puddled in her center as her eyes rested on his delicious lips that used to drive her insane. Her thoughts drifted further to his erotic tongue that had a mind of its own whenever it was on her body. Was it to curse him out for not showing up at their wedding and humiliating her in front of their family and friends? Probably, but she was too terrified at the moment to even open her mouth for fear of being tongue-tied. That wasn’t it, either. Elle had promised herself that if she ever saw Braxton Chase again, she would remain composed. She could never let on to the fact that she hated but missed him at the same time. Though there was a part of her that wanted to run into his warm, comforting embrace and let the tears flow from having to spend the last ten years without him.
However, she didn’t have a chance to carry out any of her thoughts, as the DJ appeared at the top of the staircase and shouted down. “Hey, B. Stop flirting with the lovely lady and bring the cord up here so we can get the music popping again.”
Braxton jerked his eyes away from Elle for a moment. Taking a step back, she figured she could flee out of the revolving doors, jet down Peachtree Street to the parking garage, hide in her rental car and hopefully remember how to breathe again. Instead, Braxton tossed the cable up to his DJ and placed his focus on her once more. This time his stare was serious to the point it was almost sexy and commanding. The tension in her neck crept back again. She was supposed to be mad at him, not turned on, but he was the only man who had ever made her insides burn.
He hesitated for a moment before treading closer, displaying a confident smile as if he were in control of the situation. “Hello, Elle.”
His low, deep voice caressed her like satin on her skin as her name rolled off his tongue in a seductive manner. Braxton possessed a swagger he didn’t have before, and it was downright intriguing. It reminded her of the summer before their junior year in high school when he’d returned from music camp. He’d shot up almost four inches during those two months of being away and had a faint mustache growing in. When he’d hugged her, she was overcome with nausea and panic, which was odd, because she’d always felt comfortable and secure in his embrace. That was the first time she’d realized she had a crush on her best friend, and then she ignored him for the next few weeks until he demanded to know what was wrong.
Now she felt like that high school girl standing in front of her crush all over again. Except this time there would be no hug even though her heart longed for one. And she hated that.
“Hi.”