Unexpected Rush

Harmony and her mother would share a room, so she met up with her mother in the lobby when everyone else showed up. They all checked into their individual rooms first.

“I . . . might not be staying here tonight,” her mother said, as they unpacked.

Harmony noted the slightly nervous tone in her mother’s voice. It was like role reversal, with Harmony taking on the parental role. She turned to face her mother.

“Mama. Really? You and Elijah?”

Her mother straightened, didn’t even look embarrassed. “Yes. Me and Elijah.”

Harmony laughed. “Go get you some, Mama. And have a great time.”

“I intend to, honey. Believe me.”

She couldn’t be more thrilled that her mother was having some fun. Whether it was temporary fun or something more, it was none of her business. Her mother was a grown woman and could do whatever she wanted.

Harmony and her mother packed their dress clothes for tonight and put their makeup and hair products into bags, then went upstairs to the presidential suite. They laid their bags down and headed out onto the balcony, while Lydia ordered up drinks from room service. She’d told them they had time to sit back, chat and relax before tonight’s event.

Harmony wasn’t sure she’d ever felt more pampered, especially when room service showed up with champagne, wine, sparkling water and iced tea.

It was definitely enticing. Though it was early, she couldn’t resist a glass of champagne. She was looking forward to partying tonight.

They all sat and chatted together about everything from men to sex to careers, politics and religion. They all had different backgrounds and belief systems, were of different ages and in various stages of their lives, and yet the conversation stayed respectful. Harmony had never thoroughly enjoyed herself more than in this company of women.

She also loved that her mother and Lydia really seemed to hit it off. She supposed as mothers of football players and career women, they had a lot in common, because she’d eavesdropped on their conversations and the topic frequently focused on their children, which didn’t surprise Harmony at all.

Soon it was time to start getting ready, and Lydia started directing everyone to various rooms and bathrooms, no doubt to avoid utter chaos. When it was her turn, Harmony freshened up, redid her hair and makeup and brushed her teeth, then dashed into her assigned bedroom to get dressed. She ran into Aubry in the same room, so they helped each other with zipping their dresses.

Aubry was wearing a killer slinky red dress.

“Tucker is going to go crazy when he sees you in this dress,” Harmony said, as she pulled the zipper up.

Aubry gave her a grin over her shoulder. “I certainly hope so.”

Harmony stepped into her dress.

“Men will be ogling you all night. This silver sequined number makes your skin simply shine, Harmony,” Aubry said.

Harmony loved the compliment. “Thank you. I bought this dress at the beginning of summer and haven’t had an opportunity to wear it yet. I’m really excited about tonight.”

“Me, too,” Aubry said, slipping into her heels. “Let’s go make men’s tongues fall out of their mouths.”

Harmony laughed and she and Aubry grabbed their clutch bags and left the bedroom.

Frankly, everyone looked stunning, including her mother, who wore a copper-colored dress that clung to her curves and showed off her cleavage.

“Mama. You are so freakin’ hot.”

“Thank you, honey. So are you.”

It turned out the men were meeting them at the hotel, so when there was a knock on the door, all the guys piled in.

They all looked amazing in suits and ties, and Harmony simply could not take her eyes off of Barrett, who wore a dark suit, white shirt and a beautiful silver and black tie.

She knew she was supposed to play it cool, but at this moment, she simply couldn’t. Everyone else was milling about and throwing out compliments, so she wandered over to him.

He leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Goddamn, Harmony. You look so fucking beautiful. How am I supposed to get through the night not touching you when you look like that?”

Her heart clenched. She reached out to brush off an imaginary speck from his jacket. “Thank you. You look amazing.”

Her brother came over, and as usual, the man had an impeccable sense of style. He wore a black suit, dark blue shirt and a white tie. The man was stylin’.

He kissed her cheek. “Hey, gorgeous.”

She grinned and patted his chest. “Hey yourself, hot stuff. Have you seen Mama?”

“Yeah. She’s angling for a rendezvous tonight. Elijah about swallowed his tongue when he saw her.”

She laughed. “I’m sure that was the reaction she was looking for. And what about you?”

Drake adjusted his tie. “Playing the options, like always.”

She shook her head. “Do I need to play protector for you?”

He put his arm around her shoulders. “Not a chance, baby sister. I’m freewheeling and checking out the action. You keep an eye on Mama.”

“Ha. She already told me to step clear of her action.”

“Then I guess you’re on your own.”

Just the way she wanted it. Hopefully Drake would find some beautiful woman to hit on, and who would capture his attention, and she could find some alone time with Barrett.

Though with his entire family in attendance at the club opening tonight, the chances of that were pretty slim.

“The limos are here,” Lydia said. “We need to head downstairs.”