The Way You Love Me

“I’ll make it work. I’ll do the early shift. Where is this shindig?”

“At the Lawson mansion. They are throwing an 85th birthday party for the family patriarch. The guest list is loaded with Louisiana’s who’s who, athletes, television and movie stars, the works. So I know tips are going to be off the charts.”

“The Lawsons...the father is Senator Lawson, right?”

“Yes.”

“You done made it to the big time, girl. Count me in.”

Addison breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks. I’ll text you the address. Maybe if we get lucky we’ll land us a rich ballplayer or something.”

“Whatever,” she chuckled. “See you Saturday. And don’t forget to text me the info.”

“Will do. Thanks again.”

“Not a problem.” Bailey disconnected the call, feeling a bit brighter in spirit. She could use every extra penny, so this job could not have come along at a better time. She picked up her novel and dived in with gusto. At least she could live vicariously through the love lives of the characters.

Surprisingly, Vincent had given her a bit of a hard time when she told him she would be switching shifts. They’d actually had a real back and forth until he finally conceded. It was so unlike him, at least with her. She knew he was overworked, but she carried her end and more. It had to be something else. Their little verbal sparring was days earlier and even though he’d said everything was fine, he remained distant with her, barely looking at her when he did speak, and then his conversation was minimal at best.

Well, whatever mood he was in, he would get over it, she thought as she hustled out of the Mercury Lounge to run home and change. The Lawson mansion was at the edge of the parish where the plantations once dominated the landscape. It would take her at least a half hour to get there from her house barring any Saturday night traffic.

* * *

When she finally pulled onto the street where the mansion was located, her eyes widened in awe. The sprawling lawn that had to be several acres in size was dotted with white tents that protected circular tables covered in white linen and topped with purple orchids. Red-vested valets were busy parking the cars that had already begun to arrive. Twinkling lights were strung through the overhanging trees that gave the entire space a fairy-tale feel. Soft music came from some unseen source and wafted across the warm night air.

Wow was all she could manage as a valet came to park her car after asking if she had an invitation. She could not imagine herself being invited to a place like this. Working here, maybe, but invited... It was so out of touch with her reality.

She turned over her keys, gathered her belongings and walked up the slight incline to the main entrance. If she thought only the outside was fabulous, she was sadly mistaken. The interior of the Lawson mansion was clearly out of some designer’s dream. It had the influence of the antebellum age with all of the modern twists. Stunning chandeliers spewed diamond-like light across the gleaming wood floors. The winding staircase looked as if it could lead to heaven and beyond. Long tables lined the walls on three sides, covered from end to end with silver-covered platters. There was a small raised landing set up for a band that was tuning up their instruments. Two bars were on either side of the room with an additional bar on the patio. The wide-open layout added to the feeling of spaciousness that allowed for a magnificent view of the entire ground floor. The back wall was all glass and opened onto an amazing deck and more acreage, a pool and additional outside seating.

The house was buzzing with staff, and the heady aroma of food momentarily made her dizzy when she realized that she hadn’t eaten since lunchtime.

“There you are! I was getting worried.” Addison grabbed Bailey by the arm. “They’re keeping the guests outside for the time being. Girl, I might be in over my head.”

Bailey glanced at Addison and actually saw panic in her eyes. “Why, what’s wrong?”

She lowered her voice. “I’ve never done anything this big or this important before. Suppose something goes wrong?”

Bailey squeezed Addison’s hand and looked her straight in the eye. “They’re just people who want to have a good time. You are a kick-ass caterer with an amazing staff and...you got me.” She grinned, and the tight line between Addison’s eyes softened.

Addison released a breath. “That’s what I needed to hear.”

“Good. Now, where do you want me?”

* * *

Within the hour, the front doors were opened for the guests, and the party was in full swing.

Bailey mixed a martini and handed it to the quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, followed by a gin and tonic for the morning show host for the NBC affiliate. Addison was right about the guest list. In the short time since the doors opened, Bailey had spotted several familiar faces from reality television, not to mention two Oscar winners. Addison was also right about the amount of work. They could barely keep up at the bar. She shifted her duties from one side of the room to the other and also supervised the bar outside. That didn’t include keeping up with refilling the flutes of champagne that the waiters carried on trays. Rich folks sure could drink.

She had yet to spot the guest of honor, but she did get a glimpse at a few of the Lawson clan that was pointed out to her by one of the other bartenders. They were certainly a good-looking family. What did it take to be this wealthy, to be on a first-name basis with people that she only read about? This was so not her world.

The steady hum of voices and trilling laughter mixed with the four-piece combo that had taken the stage. Couples bejeweled and bedecked made their way to the dance floor while others continued to mingle and network, eat and drink.

She looked up to take yet another order and stopped cold. It was Justin. He was heart-stopping in his tailored black tie ensemble. She couldn’t breathe. He was walking right in her direction with a stunning woman glued to his arm. What was he doing here? Her heart hammered, and she accidentally splashed vodka on the counter instead of in the glass. She quickly got a damp cloth to clean up the spill just as Justin and his date approached.

“Bailey?”

She shoved the rag under the bar. Her gaze jumped from his surprised expression to the cover model face of his date that looked more annoyed than anything else.

“What can I get you?”

“I had no idea...”

“I’ll have a cosmopolitan,” his date said, cutting him off.

Justin shot her a sharp look. Her brows arched as if to ask what?

Bailey got busy making the drink. Her hands shook.

“How have you been?”

“Fine,” she murmured. She finished the drink and placed it in front of his date.

“You’re chummy with the help now? That’s so like you, Justin.” She lifted her drink to her polished, plump lips.

“Jasmine!” he snapped.

Bailey was mortified.

He was about to say something to Bailey when a richly accented Louisiana drawl voice came over the microphone.

“Can I have everyone’s attention?”

By degrees the room quieted.

“I want to welcome each of you to my home to celebrate the 85th birthday of my father, Clive Lawson.”

There was a rousing round of applause.

Branford Lawson gazed out at the throng, clearly comfortable addressing a crowd. “Before we continue with the festivities, I want the members of the family to come on up.”

Jasmine tugged on Justin’s arm. Justin threw a look at Bailey from over his shoulder and mouthed, “I’m sorry,” before walking away.

“First I want to introduce the family of Clive Lawson,” Branford announced. “My sister, Jacqueline, my uncles Paul and Jake Lawson, their offspring Craig, Miles, Alyse, Sydni, Devon and Conner and my brother David’s son, Maurice.”

One by one they each stepped up onto the platform, one more gorgeous than the next.

“And my brood—my eldest Rafe, my daughters Lee Ann, Desiree and Dominique and last but surely not least, my youngest son, Justin.”