His Angel: The Angel Trilogy Book One (21 page)

I miss Evan, but I’m so happy that he talked me into coming here.

“Hollister! How was your trip?” my mother asks.

“It was great, and how are you Alison? Alfred? This is a friend of mine, Becky.”

The man that walks into my parents’ home has to only be maybe in his early thirties, about six feet tall, messy dark curly hair, beautiful grey eyes, and a dark suit. His date is tall and beautiful. Short, dark hair to her shoulders, and a blue form-fitting dress. My mother hugs him and his friend and then he shakes my father’s hand. Hollister’s eyes catch mine and a smile breaks onto his lips.

“This is our daughter Abigale, she’s visiting from LA this week,” my father announces.

Hollister steps towards me extending his hand. “Abigale, it’s lovely to meet you.” He kisses my extended hand.

“Hollister…Becky, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Sue will take your things and we will head this way.” My mom smiles, gesturing for the housekeeper to hurry up.

My mom is a lovely woman, but has little patience for her employees being slow. She demands perfection from everyone. My father and I play along because we adore her and this is the one thing she asks of us.

Sue hurries back into the sitting area as drinks need to be handed out. Poor Sue, she has been our housekeeper since I was a little girl and she followed my parents here out of loyalty. Despite my mother’s harsh tone during an important dinner, she loves Sue.

“I’ll have a bourbon,” Hollister announces as Sue asks the guests what they would like. Apparently Hollister and my father share the same taste.

“And you Miss?” Sue asks.

“My name is Becky not Miss. I’m a woman not a child,” Becky announces to Sue.

A sudden ping of fire pierces through my belly. I would never say anything to anyone in my parents’ home that may be offensive, but that is uncalled for and bullying is not something I put up with.

“Yes, Becky, I apologize,” Sue says, shaking.

“It’s fine. I will have a glass of red wine.” Becky waves her hand at Sue.

I glance to my mother and then to Hollister. Shock swims in both of their eyes. Oh, she must be a gold digger. I want to laugh. Ladies with real class do not behave in this manner.

“Sue let me help.” I stand, smoothing down my white dress and assist Sue with the drinks that are clearly too heavy for her.

She passes me a kind smile and a wink. Sue kept Addie’s and my secrets when we were teenagers. I adore her, she’s a very kind soul. I reach for Becky’s glass before Sue can and I hand it to her.

“Here you go Becky.” I provide a kind smile. I don’t plan to let her speak to Sue like that again, however.

“So, Abigale, tell me about yourself,” Hollister says and Becky fidgets in her seat on the sofa.

“She’s getting ready to start medical school in the fall at UCLA,” my father answers.

“Alfred,” my mother scolds. “She can speak for herself.” She winks at me.

“Well, there isn’t a lot to tell. I just graduated with my undergrad from UCLA and now I am just trying to find my way.” I smile.

“Well that is some accomplishment, congratulations,” he bows his head.

Becky rolls her eyes. She doesn’t know that I caught that. I should have fun with this bitch.

If Addie were here we would silently torture her all night, making her think she’s going crazy. We did that a lot with my parents’ guests at their dinner parties, as we were expected to sit there and behave as young girls. An evil grin crosses my face as I remember the fun times Addie and I had at those functions. Of course we got caught by our mother every time, but it was still fun.

I glance to my mother and she shakes her head, knowing exactly what I’m thinking and her lip curls up into a nonchalant grin that only I notice.

“Becky tell us about yourself,” my father says. She smiles at the attention.

“I am Miss Ohio.” She preens.

I want to spit out the wine I have just taken a drink of. She just threw a fit saying she
wasn’t
a miss.

I catch Hollister watching me as I try to hold back the laughter and he smiles. Becky and my parents talk about the life of a pageant girl and I’m finding it really difficult to stay awake at this point.

“I need to use the gentlemen’s room,” Hollister announces. “Abigale would you mind showing me the way?”

I glance to my mother and she smiles brightly. Oh dear... “Um sure.”

My parents’ home is ten thousand square feet and even
I
can’t find the bathroom here. I stand, glancing to Becky who gives a fake smile.

Hollister follows me as we walk through the sitting area and then through the hallway to the left. There are his-and-hers bathrooms down the hall.

“Here you go,” I announce, waving my hand in front of the bathroom.

“Thank you.” He smiles, brushing his hand against mine as he passes. I don’t know if he has done this on purpose or if it was an accident. I blow it off.

“Would you mind waiting a few seconds so that I can follow you back?” he asks.

Really? “Sure.” I sigh. A few minutes later Hollister emerges from the bathroom.

“Abigale?”

“Abby, please,” I say. He eyes me questionably. “I prefer Abby.” I answer his silent question.

He smiles. “May I ask, do you have a boyfriend?”

Oh dear, is he hitting on me? Oh no you don’t. “I do, yes.” I smile. The look of rejection doesn’t come though and I’m grateful. I don’t want the rest of the night to be awkward.

“He’s a lucky guy. Shall we?” He gestures for us to go back to the party.

“There you are baby,” Becky says as we enter the sitting room.

“Dinner is served,” Frankie announces.

My father takes mine and my mother’s hands as we head for the dining room.

“How long will you be in town Abby?” Hollister asks.

My mom and dad catch the shortened name he uses and look to each other. My mom seems pleased for some strange reason. Becky has her arms all over Hollister. Who taught this poor girl proper etiquette for crying out loud? I thought beauty queens were supposed to be refined.

“I leave Saturday morning,” I answer.

“Oh? Are you attending the charity event tomorrow?” he asks.

“Yes I am.” I take a large gulp of my wine. I think I’m going to need a drink that’s a bit stronger.

“Sue?” I call.

“Yes, Miss Abby?”

“Do you know how to make a blue martini?” I really need some blue in my life. If I can’t look into Evan’s eyes then I need a blue martini.

“Actually, yes ma’am I do. Would you like me to prepare that for you?”

“Please! And please keep them coming,” I say as she’s leaving the room.

“Mom, do you still want me to tell dad that I’m not going to medical school since we now have guests?” I whisper to my mother sitting next to me. She shakes her head now telling me that it isn’t the appropriate time.

My mother and father talk with Hollister about medical stuff and I’m so terribly bored I could scream.

I finish my dinner and remove the white cloth napkin from my lap. Four blue martinis later, I’m feeling relaxed.

“Excuse me Sue, I don’t believe that you asked if I would care for something. I have been sitting here with an empty glass for three minutes,” Becky says as she rolls her eyes. That is the limit for me. Becky has been rude to Sue all evening and I’m done watching it happen.

“Oh Becky, I apologize for Sue. Let me get you a fresh glass of wine.”

“Oh thank you, good help is so hard to find,” she sighs.

I excuse myself to the kitchen.

“Oh Miss Abby, please don’t. I do not want you to get into trouble.”

“Sue, whatever do you think I’m going to do?” I snicker with the evil grin back in full force.

“Oh dear Miss Abby.” Poor Sue knows what I’m about to do, because I have done it before. I have been hurt too many times in my life. I can never sit back and watch while someone is abusing another person. Not in my home or my parents’ home; hell it doesn’t really matter where it is because it’s not right anywhere.

I carry the red wine to Becky. “Becky here is the wine that you so desperately deserve.”

“Abigale Hayes!” my mother calls. She knows what I’m planning as well. I ignore her and pour the red wine all over Becky and her beautiful dress.

“OH MY GOD, you BITCH,” she spits as she jumps up from her seat.

“Oh dear God Abigale,” my father says as his head shakes and falls. I think he wants to laugh, but he thinks better of it. Hollister does laugh.

“Let me tell you something. In this home we speak to each other with respect. And hired help? Do you even have the money to hire ‘good help’ Becky? Sue is a wonderful woman who will have respect in this home from anyone that is lucky enough to be a guest.”

She stands in front of me with her eyes wide open. She wants to rip my hair out, but I don’t care, I just want my bed and Evan wrapped around me.

“I’m really tired, I think I’m going to call it a night. It was a pleasure to meet the both of you.” Hollister and my father both stand as I excuse myself.

“Abby it was a pleasure to meet you and I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow during the charity gala.”

“Hollister!” Becky hits him on the arm.

“I look forward to seeing you both there.” I laugh.

“Oh Becky will not be attending as my date, or at all.” His voice echoes.

I turn around to see that I have just heard him correctly.

Becky’s mouth drops open. “What? I thought I was going to go. You brought me here as your date Hollister,” she hisses.

“Not after the way you have acted in this home. You will be heading home in the morning.” His eyes never leave mine. I smile and exit to my room upstairs.

Well at least I’m not the only one that thought she was a total bitch.

I run a bubble bath and call down and ask Sue if she would please bring me a bottle of ibuprofen and a bottle of water; she agrees. I settle into my bed and fall asleep hoping to dream of Evan.

Chapter Fourteen

Abby

“Abigale, wake up. It’s time to get ready.” I hear my mother calling me from my sleep.

“I want to sleep!” I whine.

“It is already nine thirty Abby, we have things to do, sweetheart,” she says excitedly.

“Oh dear lord what can be so important at nine thirty in the morning?” I groan from under my pillow.

“Sue, would you please bring Abigale a cup of mocha?” my mom asks over the intercom.

“Extra-extra shot. Too many martinis,” I say. My head is pounding and I need caffeine to bring the life back.

“Would you like to explain your little outburst last night?” my mom asks with a stern voice. I pull the pillow off of my head, looking up at my mom.

“Really? She was a complete bitch mom.”

My mom is trying very hard to hide her smile so she turns her head. “I know, she was a complete hag!” She turns back to me and bursts into a fit of laughter and I follow suit.

“Thank you so much Sue,” I thank her as she brings my much needed caffeine reprieve.

“Sweetheart, drink your coffee and get a shower. We have an appointment at noon for hair and nails,” she says as she kisses me on the forehead. “Oh Abigale, the phone lines are being fixed as we speak.” She winks and walks out of the room.

“Oh thank God.” I curl up in my bed with the down comforter, drinking my coffee. I open the bottle of ibuprofen Sue has left me taking three and wash it down with my mocha.

I jump into the shower and dress in a pair of skinny jeans, a blue long sleeve t-shirt, chocolate scarf, and brown ankle boots. I walk downstairs tossing my lip gloss and phone in my cross-body bag.

“Mom?” I call through the house.

“I’m here sweetheart.” My mom emerges from the hallway.

“I’m ready, and I’m dying to get out of here so I can get a signal.”

“I have one!” I yell as we pull into the salon parking lot.

“Oh dear.” My mom laughs.

I quickly call Evan’s phone. I desperately need to hear his voice.

“Hello,” he answers.

“Evan.” I’m finally whole.

“I have called you a thousand times. I miss you baby.” I smile at his words.

“I miss you so much Evan.”

My mother pulls into the parking spot and goes inside, leaving me alone to talk freely.

“What have you been up to?” I ask.

“Work and missing you,” he answers.

“We are going to a gala tonight. I have to wear a very revealing gown and look gorgeous. Gosh I sure wish my boyfriend was going to be there, but work comes first,” I tease.

“Abby?” He pauses. “How revealing?”

“Very and it just seems like such a waste.” I pout then giggle. I need to
touch
this man. I
need
him to touch me.

“You do the craziest things to me with that laugh,” he growls.

“I have to go, my mother is waving me into the salon. We are getting ready for the gala. I’ll call you later. Ok?”

“I will most definitely be waiting. Abby, I love you,” he whispers.

“Good and I know you do baby.” We hang up the phone.