Finding Mr Right Now: The Right Now Series Read online

  “Let’s wager on it. You think about what you’d like to lose, and I’ll think about what I’d like to win.” I jested and cocked my eyebrow at her.

  “I’ve got a few ideas,” she smirked wickedly. “But you’ll have to wait to see what they are until later.”

  Was she full of innuendo or was I reading into the situation? “Bring it. I’m not too worried since I plan on winning.”

  “So cocky and sure of yourself. Tsk, tsk, tsk… We’ll see.” Her trash talk was adorable, and she kept smiling as she brought her almost empty glass to her mouth again.

  “Gemma!” My father’s voice boomed behind us.

  Gemma stood quickly and turned to greet my father. I noticed her sway ever so slightly as she did. I forgot how quickly the bubbly affected her.

  “Mr. Davenport!” She moved forward into his open arms for a hug.

  “Sonya, I’d like to introduce you to one of Bastian’s oldest and closest friends, Gemma Montgomery. Gemma, this is my beautiful wife, Sonya.”

  Gemma extended her hand and Sonya pulled her into a hug instead. “I’m a hugger,” she laughed as she withdrew. “It’s wonderful to meet you. Bastian hardly ever comes around anymore, and he never brings his dates.”

  “Oh, well, we’re just friends,” Gemma shrugged and smiled.

  “That’s a shame, you'd make a gorgeous couple. Hello, Bastian,” Sonya turned to me.

  “Happy birthday, Sonya,” I leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “Father.” I clapped him on the back.

  “Everything turned out perfect, son. Thank you again for all of your help.” I could tell he was genuinely pleased as he looked around the grounds.

  “Of course, Father. I was happy to help.” And I was. The last few days were what had tried my patience.

  “Thank you, Bastian. You made my birthday a night I’ll never forget.” Sonya smiled as she reached out and touched my forearm. I don’t know what it was about her, but something always seemed to rub me the wrong way. Aside from the fact that I thought she was only with my father for his money, she was almost too friendly for a woman who was my step-mom.

  “You’re welcome, Sonya.” I moved away and stood closer to Gemma, placing my hand on her lower back. “Gem, are you hungry? Would you like me to make you a plate?”

  “That sounds great. I could use a little sustenance right about now,” she smiled gratefully up at me.

  “Did you want to come with me?” I asked, hoping to exit the conversation with my step-mom.

  “Why don’t you make her a plate and bring it back to the table?” My father interjected. “It’s been too long since I’ve had a chance to catch up with Gemma. She’s the closest I’ve ever come to having a daughter.”

  I looked at Gemma to make sure she was ok with it. “That would be great. Would you mind, Baz? It has been a while.”

  “Not at all. I’ll make sure to grab all of your favorites.”

  I could hear my father start talking as soon as I turned around. Why did I feel like this? This was the whole reason I brought Gemma instead of Mila, so I wouldn't have to worry about my date. Gem could hold her own with Father. Thing was, I just didn’t want to leave her side again tonight. I piled all sorts of goodies onto her plates. I loaded up two plates, one full of appetizers and one of a variety of baked goods. I waved down a server and requested more champagne be brought to our table, then headed back over.

  They were all sitting now and Father and Sonya were listening intently to what Gemma was saying.

  “…it was so beautiful,” she finished.

  “Sounds like it,” Sonya said as I approached. “Bastian, why didn't you tell me your best friend was a photographer? We could’ve hired her to photograph our wedding.”

  “We got married in Vegas by an Elvis impersonator. I’m sure Gemma wouldn’t have been interested in coming all the way to Vegas for that.” Father supplied before I could answer.

  Sonya turned her attention back to Gemma and patted her hand. “He would’ve made it worth your while. But what’s done is done. So, have you ever considered doing boudoir photography?” Sonya leaned forward anxiously waiting for Gemma’s answer.

  “Um, I have done a shoot for a friend before, but mostly I do weddings, engagements, and, like the butterflies I was telling you about earlier, nature.” She looked down at the table in front of us.

  I placed my hand on her shoulder. “Gemma’s trying to get an amazing picture that National Geographic will want for the cover of their magazine someday. She is extremely talented.”

  “Well, if you ever want to expand your business, I definitely have some people I could introduce you to. Boudoir photos are becoming a huge trend and money maker.”

  “Thank you for the offer. I’ll consider it and let you know if I decide to look into it further.” Gemma looked pensive, almost as if it was something she actually was going to consider.

  She turned and saw the plates I had brought to the table, and a million-watt smile filled her face.

  “Wow. This all looks amazing! Crab puffs, bacon-wrapped dates, ceviche, lobster stuffed mushrooms. Oh, and some of my favorite cookies, yum. You are the best!” Her eyes were so lit up that I knew I had done well.

  “Yeah, well, I was hoping you wouldn’t mind sharing these plates.” I winked.

  “No way,” she pulled the plates completely in front of her and tried to shield them from me. “Get your own.” She grabbed a date and moaned audibly as she bit in to it and my groin tightened at the sound. “Soooo good.” She glanced back towards me and dropped her guard. “Ok, I guess I can share.”

  She gestured with her hand, offering me the other half of her date. I leaned forward and opened my mouth, letting her place it inside, but before she pulled back my lips closed around her fingertips, gently sucking. Her eyes dropped to my mouth as she once again licked her lips. I could feel heat arcing between us, but before I could react I heard my step-mom chuckle and my father clear his throat.

  We both turned back to them at the same time. “What do you think, son? Is it as good as Gemma said?”

  “Absolutely excellent. I can’t think of any other time I've ever had better.”

  13

  Gemma

  Baz glanced back at me, and I could feel myself blushing furiously. He had no clue what those innocent words were doing to my insides. I turned my attention back to the plate in front of me and stuffed a crab puff in my mouth. These, too were amazing. There was just the right balance of cream cheese to crab meat. I just barely managed to hold this moan in.

  I looked back up at Mr. Davenport and Sonya and smiled. “The crab puffs are to die for, too. Your caterer has done a phenomenal job.”

  “I’m glad to hear it, he came highly recommended by my son.” He smiled and looked pointedly at Bastian, his pride was evident.

  “We’ve used him previously for other business functions and Sergio and his staff have always done an outstanding job. I have never once been disappointed.” Bastian popped a crab puff into his own mouth and leaned back in his chair, his right arm draping over the back of my own chair as he crossed his feet under the table.

  “Well, I guess we should go and grab some food ourselves.” Mr. Davenport stood and pulled out Sonya’s chair for her to do the same.

  “It was really nice to meet you. And happy birthday, again.” I offered to Sonya.

  “It was nice to meet you too. And let me know if you change your mind about the boudoir photos. I’ll hire you myself.” She smiled encouragingly.

  “If anything changes, I’ll definitely let you know.” I smiled warmly in response.

  Mr. Davenport leaned down and kissed my cheek. “Have fun tonight and don’t be such a stranger. I’m sure we’ll be bumping into each other again soon.” He winked as he took his wife’s hand and led her from the table.

  “She seems nice,” I offered. “A little forward, but nice nonetheless.”

  “She is nice, but something about her seems off to me. Don’t let her make
you feel obligated to switch up your work. You do amazing work and have already made a name for yourself.” His confidence in me was always inspiring.

  “I hear ya, but maybe she’s right? Maybe I should consider expanding my fields. I did do one shoot and the pictures turned out gorgeous. It was a lot of fun and my client looked really sexy. In fact, she told me her husband loved them.” I grabbed another crab puff and took a bite.

  “I have no doubt he did, like I said you’re really talented, Gem. I think if it would make you happy, you should do it. But only if it would make you happy.”

  “I’d need to get a space, like a private space, to do them in. I’ll have to sit down and think about all the logistics of how it would work,” I ate the rest of my crab puff and stared off into the distance lost in thoughts about potentially embarking on another path.

  Baz’s finger grazing the side of my mouth brought me quickly back to the present.

  “You left a little behind,” he held my stare as he sucked the cream cheese off of his fingertip.

  I felt myself gulp as I watched the motion in fascination, and I blinked hard. I reached for my champagne but my hand missed the stem and I ended up nearly knocking it over. Baz’s quick reflexes saved me some embarrassment.

  “Would you like a bottle of water?” He asked with a look of concern on his handsome features.

  I nodded yes and watched as he got up to go grab me some water. I was slightly annoyed that he assumed I was drunk, but it was better than him realizing my clumsiness was because I was turned on and couldn’t focus properly.

  Why did I have to feel this way about my best friend? How had it taken me this long to acknowledge it? And how was I going to proposition him about becoming my Mr. Right Now? I didn’t know the first thing about being sexy or coming on to a man. I thought about Mila. She oozed sex. Maybe I was kidding myself that Baz would even consider it. Although, I saw the looks, I felt the sexual tension. There was no way that this was all one sided.

  And speaking of Mila, I should feel bad about even contemplating this. Baz has been dating her for weeks now. Although he’s told you it’s completely casual and you know you don’t think she’s good enough for him. That little voice was the voice of reason most days, but tonight it was like a little Mephistopheles egging me on.

  I watched as he made his way back to the table, two waters, one in each hand. He opened mine and handed it to me as he sat, then opened his own and took a long sip. I watched as he swallowed and then quickly averted my eyes and chugged down some of my own. The cold liquid felt good as it flowed down my throat and I closed my eyes.

  When I opened them, Baz was staring at me curiously. “Better?” He gestured to the half empty water bottle I was holding.

  “Yes, thanks. I guess I was thirstier than I thought.” I lifted the bottle and took another pull.

  “Would you like to dance?” He nodded towards the dance floor where people were beginning to gather.

  “Maybe after I eat a little more of what you brought me earlier,” I grabbed a stuffed mushroom. It, too, was delightful. “Oh my goodness! You really outdid yourself with this caterer. You have to try one of these.” I pointed to the baby portabellas on my plate.

  “I’ve had them before, but I will be more than happy to eat some tonight.” We ate for a little while in silence.

  Baz pointed to the dessert plate, “You should try the cookies and pastries I brought. You’ll think you’ve died and gone to Heaven,” he smirked as he grabbed another baby bella and stuffed it in his mouth.

  I reached for what appeared to be a mini-cannoli. He was absolutely right, no exaggerating on his part. The sensation was almost orgasmic in the way the sweetness burst across my tongue and raced through my bloodstream. The moan slipped from my lips and unashamedly I licked both the cream and powdered sugar from my fingers. Baz watched in amusement.

  “You really nailed that one. I swear, Heaven was only a few short steps away,” I teased.

  “Told you. It helps that I know what you like.” He smiled.

  He did know what I liked and I wanted him to know even more. I wanted him to surprise me by showing me things that I might like that I had no experience with yet. He had asked me to dance, and now it was time to accept. The sun had just finished setting and the dance floor was illuminated by lights that were strung up around it.

  “Is that, ah, dance still on the table?” I asked, smiling up at him from beneath my lashes.

  He responded by standing and offering me his arm. “But, of course, m’ lady.”

  I let him lead me to the dance floor. There were a bunch of people already dancing, but we could have been the only ones there as far as I was concerned. Nobody else mattered. I let myself get lost in the music as song after song played. I sang along to “Feel This Moment” when it came on and I danced as I let the rhythm move me.

  “Despacito” came on next and Baz sang to me. Learning Spanish was one of those things I had always wanted to do, but had never gotten around to. Baz had spoken it fluently since high school. I wanted to ask him what the words meant, but instead just allowed myself to be moved by the melody.

  When “Moves Like Jagger” came on he started doing his best Mick Jagger imitation and he had me cracking up. I joined in and started dancing like Mick as well. By the time the song ended we were both laughing hard. The people around us were watching, but I couldn’t have cared less. “Don’t Let Me Down” started next and I sang along. This was one thing that I knew I wouldn’t ever have to worry about.

  14

  Baz

  I took Gemma’s hand after the song ended and led her off the dance floor to get some drinks. If Gemma knew what I was singing to her when “Despacito” was on, I’m not sure what her reaction would be. I definitely wanted to do all the things that song said and more. Even if she did know, I supposed I could’ve played it off by saying it was just the way the song was written. But that would have been a complete lie. Just because I wasn’t acting on the attraction, didn’t mean I didn’t still feel it. And as much as she was probably just singing along to the lyrics of the last song, I wanted to make sure she knew I wouldn’t let her down.

  “You know that’s something you’ll never have to worry about, right? I’ll always be here for you, I’ll never let you down.” I looked into her blue eyes as I handed her another glass of Cristal.

  “I do know that. You always have been. And you always remind me.” She smiled sweetly up at me, lifting her glass. “I want to propose a toast. To the most amazing, sweet, caring, smart, and protective man I’ve ever known. Thank you for being my best friend, for always putting up with me when I need advice about my failed relationships, and for never judging me. You always know just what to say to brighten my day and I couldn’t imagine my life without you in it.” She clinked her glass to mine and I couldn’t help but feel the smile broaden across my face at hearing her say out loud just how much I meant to her. We both took long sips from our glasses.

  After she swallowed she continued on, “All that said, it doesn’t mean I’m not ready to go inside to that game room and kick your ass now.” She smirked and put on her game face.

  I laughed. “I hope you’ve thought about just what you’d like to lose. I have a few ideas about what I am looking forward to winning.” I knew I was a cocky ass when it came to being competitive, but I didn’t care and I knew Gemma would take my trash talk with a grain of salt.

  We left the outside party behind and headed into the game room.

  “Ladies choice, what would you like me to kick your tail in first?” I grinned confidently at her as we entered the room.

  “Oh, ha ha. You’re so funny. We’ll see who’s laughing when it’s you who gets his tail kicked. Let’s start with darts.” She set her glass down on one of the high tables, then swayed her hips as she walked towards the dart board and collected her darts. “I choose the blue ones. Do you want the pink, pretty boy?”

  I laughed at her insinuation. “I can who
op you with whatever color you want. Would you like me to use the pink?” I asked full of self-confidence.

  “Whichever color you feel gives you the best luck is fine by me,” she tossed back at me as she turned and sashayed to the tape line on the floor.

  “Luck, huh?” I took the pink ones just to show her how little the color of the darts mattered psychologically in a win or lose. “No luck needed here, precious, this will be a win of pure skill.” Precious, where had that come from? I wasn’t sure, but I kind of liked it. She was precious to me. My precious Gem. I shook off the thought. If my new nickname bothered her, you couldn’t tell by the look on her face.

  “Best out of three?” I asked.

  She nodded at me in response, already focused on the task at hand.

  I watched as she took up position on the line, squared her shoulders, drew back and released. She had this cute way of throwing that as she released she ended up standing on only her right foot, her left raised high behind her. I was amazed she could do it in her stilettos and maintain her balance. The muscles in her calf were defined as she used them to hold her position. When she stepped back, I glanced up to see she had hit a bullseye.

  “Must be my lucky day,” she smiled as she did a little happy dance. “You’re up. Show me what you’ve got, hotshot.”

  I took position and hit a triple 20. I tried not to notice how adorable she was as we battled it out. Her face scrunching in concentration.

  At the end of three, I lost to that one bullseye from the first shot. I couldn’t believe it. I shook my head in disbelief. When had she gotten this good?

  “What happened to your ‘pure skill’? Guess pink isn’t your lucky color,” she winked at me as she laughed. She had no idea how much I loved the color pink. “I know what I want for winning, but why not make it even more interesting. We’ll play two more games, each a round of three, and winner overall gets to decide what they win. Deal?”