Colton is having a party at his house tonight; more like a business dinner to show appreciation and hopefully draw more people in. All of his top clients as well as their friends and family will be showing up any minute now for overly priced food and wine. Honestly, most of it looks unsatisfying and sort of gross to me.

I feel completely out of place here, but Colton suggested that I help set up and stick around for the party. I only agreed since I haven’t seen him in practically three damn days, and because Madison spent most of the morning shooting daggers my way. Plus, I thought maybe it would feel nice to spend some time with him and do something as a team, but he’s been uptight and on edge all day.

“Hey, Marie, baby.” I look up from the bowl of fruit salad that I’m picking at and exhale, annoyed. “Mind giving me a hand with these glasses and plates? We need to hurry. A car just pulled up out front and I don’t want to keep anyone waiting.”

Colton barely even looks at me when I make my way over to him and reach for a stack of plates. “Stop calling me that,” I complain. “I don’t like being called by my middle name and you know it.”

“Well it’s a lot classier than Avalon, babe.” He flashes me a stiff smile. “So around my clients I’ll call you Marie. Avalon just sounds awkward to introduce people to. It’s not a big deal, but this party is to me.” He gives me a quick kiss on the cheek. “Come on.”

I grind my jaw in distaste and follow him outside and over to the large table, setting down the stack of plates as perfectly organized and in place as I can. I would argue with him more on this matter, but I honestly don’t have the energy today. I just want to get this party over with so I can go home, crawl in bed, and watch some quality TV by myself. I honestly probably should’ve just stayed in bed all day to begin with. Today has been hell.

It’s well into the party now and I have spent most of it hiding out by the food table, stuffing my face with any fried foods that I can find.

Colton has apparently already introduced me to all the clients that he plans to for the night, so I really don’t see why I’m still hanging around anyway. I’ve never seen so many stiff people in my life and it’s making me extremely anxious and uncomfortable.

“Babe.” I force a smile when Colton suddenly appears next to me, walking with a pretty brunette in a white, zip-front pencil skirt. “I want to introduce you to my new investment partner; the one I’ve been telling you about. Misty . . .” He points to the leggy bombshell beside him and then points to me. “This is my girlfriend Marie. She helped me set up the dinner for tonight.”

I reach out to shake her hand when she holds hers out, and then flash my friendliest smile. “Avalon,” I say with pride. “Marie is my middle name. Only Colton calls me that.”

Colton gives me a dirty look, but replaces it with a sincere smile when Misty glances his way and raises a brow.

“Well it’s very nice to meet you, Avalon. Colton here is the best partner I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with; very professional and always knows what he’s doing.” She releases my hand and looks me up and down, taking in my black skinny jeans and teal blouse. “You’re one lucky lady.”

She clears her throat and turns back to Colton with a small smile. “I should get back to my friends now. Thanks for having us. They’re having a wonderful time and the food is delicious.”

He places his hand on her shoulder and nods his head. “Thanks for coming and I look forward to hopefully having your friends as potential clients. I’ll be over to thank them personally.”

She nods her head, smiles, and then walks away.

Colton is in Real Estate. He’s very good at what he does. I don’t disagree with her there, but I still don’t like her much. She’s definitely a lot different than what I pictured and hoped in my mind that she would look like. He never once mentioned that she looked like she just walked out of a damn fashion magazine.

“You look bored,” Colton says disapprovingly, as I rub my forehead and yawn. “Could you try to look a little happier to be here? Please. I’ve worked hard for this.”

I reach for the glass of beer that I set down when I started stuffing my face. I’ve been hiding and drinking them all night. “Sorry, but it’s hard to pretend that I’m having fun when I’m not. I’ve been standing in a corner by myself for most of the party. How excited should I pretend to be?” I take a swig of my beer and Colton’s eyes widen when he gets a whiff.

“Are you drinking beer?” He reaches for my glass and looks into it. “That’s what the wine is for. I’m trying to have a classy dinner, babe. These are my clients and hopefully potential clients that I’m entertaining; not a frat party with strippers.”

My heart speeds up with sudden anger. “Oh really. Sorry that my drink of choice isn’t good enough for your clientele.” I release an exasperated breath and get ready to give him a piece of my mind. He always has a good way of making people feel shitty and I’m beginning to really see it.

I open my mouth and get ready to speak again, but stop when the sound of motorcycles have us all looking toward the driveway in curiosity. They’re loud and powerful, causing people to watch in confusion as both men climb off of their bikes and kill the engines.

“Fucking shit. Not now,” Colton grinds out, gripping his hair. “What the hell is he doing here?”

My eyes widen and my mouth drops open when the guy on the first motorcycle pulls his helmet off and sets it on his bike, looking directly at me.

Those eyes. I would recognize that set of eyes anywhere. His long hair is now pulled into a bun, his tattoos covered by a leather jacket, but there’s no question that it’s him. Those insanely beautiful eyes give him away. My heart pounds when I remember the look in his eyes last night when I barged into his room, unwanted.

“Who?” I question in a daze.

“My brother Royal.”

My eyes widen. “Since when have you had a brother?”

“Twenty-five damn years; too long if you ask me. And he’s my half-brother. There is a difference.”

Before I can say anything and complain about not knowing this little detail, he stalks over to the driveway and grabs Royal’s arm, pulling him closer to the front of the house and out of view.