~{Chapter 29}~

Two weeks later, I find myself back in the city that never sleeps with blood pumping through my veins in anticipation for the book event. Mr. Parker gives me amused looks as we travel through the busy streets of New York City inside his limo.

"I'll meet you in the lobby at six-thirty. It's only about twelve o'clock, so you will have plenty of time to get ready," Mr. Parker says to me as soon as we reach the hotel.

I nod. "What is this dinner for?"

"This is the dinner for exclusive guests who will be attending the event tomorrow. Tonight is just a time for some businessmen and other people to get together and talk. My wife will also be joining us," Mr. Parker explains as someone gets my luggage out of the car.

I nod. "I'll be ready. Again, thank you so much for inviting me to come."

He smiles. "My pleasure. Tell the front desk you're my guest, and you should be able to get settled in quickly."

"Thank you," I reply as I wave goodbye and walk into the hotel.

I immediately notice the expensive furnishings and the well-dressed people milling around the huge lobby. I find myself feeling underdressed in my nice dark blue jeans with a blazer. I hurry to the front desk and tell them what Mr. Parker told me to tell them.

He was right. I am taken immediately to my room. Actually, it is more like a penthouse than just a hotel room. There are huge windows that allow natural sunlight to stream in, along with a full view of the bustling city. There is even a small kitchen.

I tip the bellman and walk into the separate bedroom. It is just as nice as the rest of the suite. I pick up one of my suitcases and lay it on my bed to unzip it. I carefully take out my nice dresses and hang them up in the closet. I pick up my other suitcase with my normal clothing and also lay it on the bed. I then begin to unpack the rest of my clothes.

Ring, ring!

I finish unpacking the last piece of clothing and run back out to the main living area and quickly get my phone out of my purse.

"Hello?" I ask, not bothering to see who is calling.

"How's New York City treating you this time?" Matt asks.

I smile. "Just fine. I forgot how refreshing the city can be. By the way, this hotel room your father got for me is to die for. It's huge and more like an apartment!"

He laughs. "Well, that's what you get when you stay in one of my dad's hotels."

"Are you serious?" I ask.

"Yeah. You didn't know about the rest of his businesses?"

"Nope. Was I supposed to?" I ask, still slightly shocked.

"I guess not. Anyway, I was just calling to see how you're doing and to let you know that I got an earlier flight, so I'll be in the city tonight."

I smile. "That's great! When will you land?"

"Well, I'm sitting in the plane right now. We should be taking off in about ten to fifteen minutes, which will allow me to get there by the time of the event tonight. Oh, someone else is calling me. I'll have to talk to you when I get there."

"Sounds good. Bye," I say right before he hangs up.

I set my suitcases on the chairs in the room and lie down on the bed. I get my laptop out and edit for a couple of hours before turning off the lights and taking a nap.

When I wake up, I look down at my watch and see that it is already almost five. I quickly run to the closet. I grab one of the dresses off the rack and toss it onto the bed, forgetting that I need to place it gently on the bed.

I step out of my jeans and take off my blazer and shirt before unzipping the bag the dress is hanging inside. I take a look at the dress to make sure it is not wrinkled. By some miracle, it is not wrinkled at all.

I leave the dress on the bed as I go into the bathroom to fix my makeup to make it a little more appropriate for a party like this. I apply more eyeshadow and mascara. I even put eyeliner on. I apply a little more blush and finish off with my red lipstick.

I go back out to the bedroom and carefully unzip the dress and slip it on. I go back inside the bathroom to make sure the dress looks right. I smile when I see how beautiful the black-lace dress is.

I look down at my watch and see that it is almost six. I hurry to do my hair. It turns out to almost be a thirty minute ordeal because I'm horrible at doing my hair. I barely finish in time to rush down to the lobby to make it on time to meet Mr. Parker.

I stand near the door, watching for Mr. Parker's car. I look down and see my watch is still on, so I quickly slip it off and place it in my small clutch because it does not match the rest of the outfit.

"Wow. You're beautiful," a familiar voice says.

I smile and turn around to see Matt's familiar face staring at me. "What are you doing here?"

He walks up and gives me a hug. "I never thought you despised me that much. I thought you would be excited."

I ignore his teasing and ask, "Do you know where your father is? He said he was going to meet me here, and he's usually so punctual."

He laughs and holds his hand out to me, "Well, it's your lucky day. Since I'm already here, my father and I decided that it would be the right thing to do for me to escort you to this dull party."

I roll my eyes as I take his hand. "Is it really that bad?"

We make it out to his car, and he holds open the door for me. He shuts it when I get in and jogs to the driver's seat. I buckle my seatbelt, and he does the same before driving away from the hotel.

"Well, it's full of rich socialites who like to try to compare their wealth to one another's. My father, of course, is excluded from this description," he explains.

I raise an eyebrow. "Yes, of course he is excluded from your insult."

He glances in my direction and then turns his eyes back to the road. "Do I sense a jest or an insult from your statement?"

I laugh. "I'm pretty sure you know."

I see him smile. The rest of the ride is filled with comfortable silence. When we arrive at the venue, I am taken aback by the mansion. Matt helps me out of the car, and I immediately stop to gape at the overly large house.

He gently pulls me forward so he can close the car door behind me. "Earth to Kate. I know the house is amazing, but could we please get inside so my father doesn't get upset with me?"

I manage to tear my gaze away from the house and take Matt's hand. He leads me inside the house and helps me slip my jacket off. After he also slips his jacket off, he offers his arm, and I gladly take it.

We walk into the ballroom, and I find myself gaping once again. Matt leads me over to Mr. Parker, who is talking to a large group of people. As we approach, I see people looking at Matt and me.

Mr. Parker turns around and sees us. He gives Matt a hug as soon as we reach him, and he also gives me a hug.

"Everyone, in case you didn't know, this is my son, Matthew and my editor in South Hart, Texas, Kate Garner," he introduces as he gestures at each of us.

A majority of them smile and wave, but a few of them just stare at us. I ignore the ones who did not smile and flash one of my best smiles. That earns me a smirk from one of the women.

"Tell me, Miss Garner," the woman who smirked asks, "what is it like dating your boss's son? Is that how you convinced Mr. Parker to give you a branch in such a tiny town?"

The circle of people goes quiet, and everyone turns to stare at me and wait for my response. Matt reaches for my hand, and I gladly take it. He squeezes it comfortingly.

I reply, slowly yet steadily, "Mr. Parker entrusted me with a huge risk when I moved back to South Hart because my fiancé had died. I'll always be grateful for his faith in me."

"Then that means you started dating Matthew after you realized that Mr. Parker's venture with the branch wasn't going to work out?" she pushes.

"Stop," a guy whispers from beside her.

Mr. Parker glares at her and looks like he wants to say something, but I manage to get his attention to not say anything. I look around me for a few seconds to see that people are watching the situation.

I manage to give her a cheerful smile and say, "The branch in South Hart is doing very well. I'm grateful to be a part of expanding Mr. Parker's business."

She rolls her eyes. "So you're not denying that you're dating your boss's son?"

Matt steps into the conversation and tells her, "I don't think that's any of your concern."

She lets out a fake laugh. "Oh please, Matthew. We all know she has you wrapped around her gold digging finger. Why else would she be here at a party where she obviously doesn't belong? And why would she still have her job if she didn't use any manipulation on you or your father?"

I turn to walk away, but Matt stops me and says loud enough for everyone to hear, "Anyone who thinks that Miss Garner doesn't belong here, needs to look in the mirror. Miss Garner is one of the best editors my father has, and she is deserving of everything she has." He faces the woman again. "And she acts more like she belongs here than you."

With that, he leads me out of the ballroom to a balcony that leads to a garden. I hear people whispering as we leave, but Matt just ignores them and keeps leading me to the balcony.

When we get outside, I stop him from walking any further and say, "Matt, why would you do that? For all I know, you've messed up your reputation with some of them."

He smiles as he turns to face me. "Listen," he says as he puts his hands on my shoulders, "I get that they may not like you, but I won't allow anyone to say you're a gold digger. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything, but as long as I know I did the right thing, I'll be okay."

"What about your father and the book event tomorrow? You know that they'll all stare and whisper at me tomorrow, right? Matt, I don't belong here, and I don't want you ruining your reputation just for me," I say as I walk away from him down to the lit up garden.

I hear him walk up behind me, but I just keep walking as he says, "I'm not ruining anything. Kate, wouldn't you know by now that I would defend you in front of anyone at any time? You're really important to me."

I sigh and turn to face him. "I meant what I said. I don't belong at this type of event. The rich businessmen and rich women don't mix well with me. I appreciate you doing that for me. I really am thankful for it, but I can't just stand and watch you defend me while you risk losing camaraderie with your father's friends."

He sighs. "This is what this is all about? You're worried that I ruined a friendship with my father's friends? Kate, all my father does is business with them. A majority of them just act like they're friends to look good to the public."

"You're just saying that to make me feel better, and I appreciate it," I say quietly.

He gives me a smile. "No, it's true."

I just shake my head and slowly walk down one of the paths. Matt follows me and walks beside me in silence. He sees that I do not want to talk, so he does not push me. I am grateful for that.

When we reach the end of the path, I turn to begin to walk the other way, and he quietly states, "Kate."

I sigh and face him again. "What is it now?"

"Why are you so convinced that you don't belong or that you messed things up?"

"Because these are the people who have given you the chance to be someone great. How can I ever compete with that?" I say, irritated and sad.

"What're you saying?"

I take a deep breath. "Matt, do you ever wonder why I was so worried about you? Do you every wonder why I am hesitant to make this friendship more?"

"No," he says slowly.

"It's because I like you. Don't think I'm talking about just as a friend. Matt, how could anyone see as just a friend? I didn't, and I don't anymore. I like you a lot but at the same time, I don't fit into this new world you have, and I don't think I ever will," I explain quietly.

He reaches for my hand, but I pull away. "Kate, listen to me."

I shake my head and run away from him. When I look back, I do not see him. I sigh and walk out of the house. I have no ride back to the hotel, but I am sure I can find a ride somewhere.

I should have never come.