Chapter 21
The Gala was spectacular. It was like something out of a movie and more elegant than I could have imagined. I had taken the plastic crown from my hair in the car, but there were several women wearing actual diamond tiaras in their hair. This was not only the award ceremony for the Champion of Champions Invitational, but also one of the biggest social events of the year. Everyone was dressed to the nines.
A string quartet played in a corner, and the dance floor was already beginning to fill with women in beautiful dresses and men in tuxes. I watched the dancers as they waltzed around on the black and white checkered floor, the heavy red, velvet curtains not even moving as skirts swished past. I recognized the back of Robbie's head, even though his sandy hair was cut short. I stepped forward, working my way toward him when I noticed his dance partner.
She was beautiful. Not model beautiful, but real-life, girl-next-door beautiful with long dark hair and curves that seemed to stretch into infinity. I wondered how Robbie knew her when he leaned down and kissed her. A hot wave of anger rushed through me until he turned.
It wasn't Robbie, just someone who looked a lot like him. It was Robbie's older brother, Jack. I had met him on several occasions, but he was a full six years older than Robbie and hadn't wanted to hang out with little kids.
The two brothers were built nearly the same: tall with light eyes and soft, sandy brown hair. Robbie had his mother's smile, whereas Jack took more after his father. Still, the family resemblance was strong enough that it had caught me off guard for a moment.
"You think I was kissing someone else?" Robbie's teasing voice whispered from behind my ear. I turned to see him grinning at me. He had gotten his hair cut, but not near as short as Jack's. I swallowed hard, enjoying the look of him in a tux. Years of sailing had him trim and fit, and the tux fit like a second skin. Even with the sling holding his arm, he looked amazing.
"What are Jack and Emma doing here?" I asked back, ignoring his question and hoping I wasn't blushing too badly. He kissed my cheek, being careful not to smudge my makeup.
"They came to celebrate our victory. Winning the biggest private race in the U.S. doesn't happen every day. Rachel and Dean are here too." He grinned. "By the way, you look gorgeous when you’re angry."
I stuck out my tongue at him and then glanced around looking for Rachel. I saw her dancing with an attractive, dark-haired man. She laughed and put her head on his shoulder as they spun gently to the music. I noticed that despite the ample room on the dance floor, they didn't stray far from Jack. I turned back to Robbie, touching his good shoulder lightly.
"Are you okay?" I asked him. "You seemed off earlier."
He shrugged. "I had some thinking to do. I'll tell you about it later."
I frowned slightly, opening my mouth to push him further on it; I wanted to know what was going on in his head, but Rachel was suddenly next to me with her hand on my shoulder. The man she was dancing with hung back slightly, his bright blue eyes scanning the room.
"Congratulations, you two!" Rachel exclaimed, pulling me into a hug. She was gorgeous in a cream-colored satin gown, her hair piled up on her head in long, romantic curls. "I'm so proud of you both!"
I felt a blush creep across my face as she let me go. She had always seemed like Robbie's older sister, and hearing she was proud of us was rewarding. She stepped back and gestured to the handsome man she had been dancing with.
"Sam, I don't think you've met Dean," Rachel said with a smile. She looked up at Robbie. "He's my fiancé."
Robbie's eyebrows raised, but he gave her a warm smile before extending his hand to Dean. "Congratulations. You take good care of her, or I'll make sure Jack fires you. I'd say I'd do something about it, but with the arm, I think you'd win." I gave Robbie a confused look and he added, "Dean is Emma's bodyguard."
Dean laughed and released Robbie from the handshake. "I'd be more afraid of what Emma would do to me."
I could tell there was more to that story, but I would just have to ask Robbie about Rachel and Dean later.
"Did I hear my name?" a sweet, female voice piped up. Jack and the lovely woman he had been kissing joined our little circle.
"Dean was just saying how he's afraid of you," Robbie told her with a wink for Dean.
She placed her index fingers together in front of her lips like an evil villain. "Excellent. He should be."
Rachel laughed, and Dean wrapped an arm protectively around her waist. There was more than enough security at The Gala, but he still gave off a hunting cat vibe. I pitied anyone who would try to take him on to get to Rachel or Emma.
Emma turned to me, extending a jeweled wrist. "I don't think we've been properly introduced. I'm Emma, Jack's wife."
I took her hand, surprised at the strength of her handshake. "Sam. It's nice to meet you."
Emma smiled, her pretty features even brighter. "I feel like I've already met you. Robbie won't stop singing your praises."
I could feel the blush creeping up my cheeks again. Robbie took my hand and gave it a squeeze, a smile gracing his features.
"Can I get you a drink, Sam?" Robbie asked quickly, saving me from my blush. I nodded fiercely.
"Yes, please. I'd love one," I answered quickly. I already was nervous about receiving a trophy in front of all these people, and a drink sounded wonderful. Robbie gave my hand a last caress before disappearing off into the crowd.
Emma watched him go, a smile on her face. "Robbie is completely smitten with you, Sam. In the time I've known him, I've never seen him this happy. He's even been getting along with Jack because of it."
"I would have thought pigs would fly before the two of us could have a civil conversation, but he has actually been pleasant to be around," Jack added. "He's even shown some business initiative."
I frowned slightly and exaggerated looking out the closest window. "I don't see any pigs with wings out there..."
The members of our small group laughed.
"I'm actually quite smitten with him too. But I've always gotten along with Jack, so that's nothing new." I grinned at Robbie's older brother and he rolled his eyes at me with a smile.
"You two always were good together," Rachel said, leaning against Dean. "Depending on Robbie's arm, what are you planning to do next racing season?
"Take over the world," Robbie answered, jumping back into the conversation. He handed me a flute of champagne and then wrapped his good arm around my waist. "Despite the arm, I have big plans for us."