Protecting What's Mine

Chapter 8: Grace

His words have the exact effect they're meant to, which is reassurance that I won't be thrown to the wolves this evening. Just knowing that he'll stick close is enough to strengthen my resolve.

Not wanting him to worry, I paste a bright smile on my face as we descend to the two-story foyer where a few guests still linger. With a friendly smile, Dominic greets everyone warmly before introducing me-or reintroducing me in some cases-to his friends, some of whom were friends with my parents as well. To my surprise, it only takes a few minutes before I'm at ease and enjoying myself. As a passing waiter strolls by, Dominic grabs two crystal flutes full of bubbly Veuve Clicquot.

By the time I get a second glass, I'm laughing and have loosened up. I watch as Dominic charms all of his guests, drawing the more reserved people out of their shells by reminding them of stories about my parents that leave everyone laughing and remembering them with fondness.

Midway through the party, Dominic glances behind me, and his eyes light up. Before I can turn around to see what-or who-has captured his attention, his hands go to my bare shoulders, locking me in place.

"I have one last surprise for you."

My head spins with the announcement. What more could he give me? This party is already over the top. Waiters in tuxedos circulate the room with trays of fancy little canapes and glasses of Veuve Clicquot. There are at least a hundred and twenty friends and associates in attendance. For a hastily thrown together affair, everything is perfect.

Not to mention my dress, shoes, and necklace.

It's very possible that I'm in a fairy tale right now.

All at Dominic's orchestration.

Although most of the people surrounding me are strangers, I've thoroughly enjoyed myself this evening. True to his word, Dominic hasn't left my side. His arm has been casually draped around my waist most of the time. I've notice a few speculative looks aimed in our direction.

"You couldn't possibly."

Without any warning, he quickly turns me around. I'm hit with a wave of dizziness for a moment. The warmth of his hands burn into my shoulders, grounding me and squashing the nausea. For the second time this evening, I gasp. My hands fly to my mouth in surprise.

"Chloe?"

A huge grin spreads across her face before she gives a little squeal and flies toward me. I do the same. Colliding midway, we wrap our arms around each other, jumping up and down as we hug.

"What are you doing here?" I'm still shrieking and reeling at the unexpectedness of seeing her.

"Dominic invited me! Surprise!"

I can only imagine the sheer joy written across every inch of my face as I glance over at him and mouth, thank you. He grins and gives me a modest little shrug.

Bringing Chloe back into my life means more than just about anything.

And he knows it.

"Why don't you two head out to the terrace so you can catch up. I'll have some champagne and appetizers brought out for you to enjoy."

Unable to believe that she's standing next to me, I squeeze Chloe again, unwilling to let her go for even a minute. She looks amazing. Her strawberry blonde hair lays against her shoulders in thick, shiny waves. You'd think she would have a smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose since her complexion is so fair, but there aren't any. Her skin is like porcelain. The short, forest green dress she's wearing skims her toned thighs and matches her eyes. Where I'm short and curvy, Chloe is tall and willowy.

"Thanks, Mr. Grimaldi." Her eyes flash and sparkle with barely suppressed mischief. We may not have been in contact for almost two years, but I know that look all too well.

Again, happiness bursts within me like an overinflated balloon.

Grabbing her hand, I tow my childhood best friend toward the French doors that lead to the terrace. The night is perfect for sitting and enjoying the lake breeze. The fire pit has been lit. It blazes, emitting warmth.

There's just so much I want to say, that I'm actually at a loss as to where to begin. An apology is poised on the tip of my tongue when Chloe leans into me and says in a sly tone, "Well, I see Uncle Dominic is still as handsome as ever." Throwing a sultry glance over her slender shoulder, she makes a little purring noise deep in her throat.

The apology brimming on my lips falls by the wayside as I burst into laughter. Same old Chloe. God, but I love it. I can't believe how much I've missed her friendship. Even though we've barely begun to talk, it already feels as if the two years separating us is slipping away.

Maybe that's because I moved during middle school, and we were forced to stay in touch for eight years. In a way, we were used to the separation, the yawning expanse of time that continually sat between us. Then we would get together and fall right back into the old patterns of our friendship.

As soon as I close the French door behind us, silencing the party inside, I wrap my arms around her, pulling her in for another warm hug. My apology immediately bubbles up to the surface again. "I'm so sorry, Chloe, for not staying in touch. For pushing you away."

When I'd needed my best friend the most, to hold my hand and tell me that everything was going to be all right, I retreated inside myself, refusing all offers of comfort. For a while, it had felt too painful to live and breathe. For my own sanity, I'd cut everything and everyone out except for Dominic. I regret losing touch with my friends now, but it was a save-yourself kind of situation back then.

Chloe tightens her arms around me until the very breath is pressed out of my lungs. Painful as it is, I don't want her to stop. "Listen, I can only imagine just how crappy everything was for you. I wish there had been something I could have done to help. Evelyn and Edward were like parents to me. I loved them. Maybe if we had lived closer to one another, it would have turned out differently."

Our colleges had been far apart- mine in Seattle, and hers in Chicago. There had been no easy way to visit for a weekend. It was too long of a drive, and plane tickets were expensive.

In all honesty, I hadn't been up to it. Even though I don't say the words, I'm not sure if us being closer would have changed the outcome. After my parents' deaths, I had been left reeling. Grief-stricken. And then depression set in. It's an emotional concoction I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

Dominic had been the only one capable of penetrating my despair. In a way, it was like we had been drowning together. We were the only two people who truly understood the grief the other one was feeling. When my roommate grew concerned because I was no longer getting out of bed in the morning, Dominic was who she reached out to. He dropped everything and immediately flew to Seattle.

He picked me up at school and brought me back to my parents' house until I was able to function like a normal human being. We lived there for about three months. He flew back to the office when necessary. Otherwise, he worked from the house, making conference calls and Skyping. He took care of all the nitty-gritty details I couldn't bring myself to tackle.

A fresh wave of grief washes over me as I remember the first few months after my parents died. Though there is still heartache, the pain isn't as sharp and piercing as it used to be. Don't get me wrong, it hurts. Losing them will always be painful, but it doesn't feel as though it's going to bring me to my knees the way it once could.

Sitting on chairs near the fire, Chloe gets right down to business. "So, Dominic mentioned that you've moved back permanently. He said you're now attending Northwestern." She looks impressed.

Pushing all those dark, heavy thoughts from my mind, I focus my attention on Chloe. On getting reacquainted with her. "Yes, I bought a place downtown. A few blocks from Lakeshore Drive."

She grins. "I'm so jealous! I work about a mile from there. Maybe we can grab lunch or dinner during the week."

My heart continues to expand. "I would love that."

Another impish look fills her eyes as she leans toward me. "So, tell me all about Dominic. Has some lucky lady finally tied his fine ass down?"

I burst out laughing at her question because Chloe has always had the hots for Dominic. Truth be told, when we were both fourteen, the pair of us would watch him with big cow eyes. He was either oblivious to our crushes, or he just pretended to be.

Either way, hearing her moon over him again makes me feel lighter. Younger. Freer. It's a great feeling, one I want more of.

Reaching over, I grasp her hand. "It's really good to see you, Chloe. I'm glad you were able to make it tonight."

Her eyes soften. "I wouldn't have missed it for the world. We have so much to catch up on."

Yes, we certainly do. And I'm looking forward to finding out every single detail regarding what she's been up to for the last two years.