The Carrero Heart - The Journey (Book 2 of Heart Trilogy)

Chapter 4

The Huntsberger house is transformed, the huge adjoining dining room and family room has been emptied through the day and now styled with floral arrangements and seating which pours out into the gardens from the wall of veranda doors. It's looking like a huge function room in any classy hotel.

Leila has always insisted on using "home" for her parties. I think it's the little bit of sentimentality and that this place signifies safety and happy memories for her. It also means strictly no paparazzi for any of the more well-known guests and we can monitor who gets to come in and let everyone relax to have an enjoyable time.

Food is being laid out in the adjoining TV room, music blaring from the sound system outside and a huge marquee, housing a bar and extended lounging area is set up. I can see a wooden floor for dancing inside as well as in here. They have gone big and bold for this one, the place is bursting with friends and family galore and even though it's early in the evening, the house is crowded.

I work my way out through the room from the hall, Christian and Jenny are mingling already, welcomed with open arms into the Huntsberger family last night over dinner and drinks, and obviously feeling right at home already. Jenny is in tight conversation with Nathan in one corner, looking decidedly cozy together and uninterested in milling guests, and Christian is in an adoring group of Carrero women, nieces and cousins galore, all fanning for his attention, so I leave them both to it. They both seem to be happy with their current situations and I am still trying to find myself a level of sanity to get through tonight.

I make a beeline for the outside area, pushing among friendly faces that stop me to hug and smile my way, comment on how much I have grown and changed of late. The same old repeated affections and I smile and persevere. Pushing between two burly Carrero men, with trademark dark hair, wide shoulders and those green eyes. I manage to squeeze out the other side, only just, with effort, looking back apologetically and walk straight into the hard-muscular back of another male in a tux with an "ooft".

"Sorry I wasn't looking where I was ..." I trail off as Arrick turns my way with his hazel frown and devastating smile, temporarily catching my breath in my throat. I immediately hit that zombie-like state of "I do not know how to behave" and do that awkward little eye avoidance flustered thing. Jake leans in past him and grins at me. My heart deciding now is a great time to flutter crazily, while my stomach churns into knots and my palms get instantly sweaty.

"Still as graceful as ever, Sophs." Jake winks and Arrick hands me a glass of champagne smoothly with a half-smile, as though everything is completely normal and not at all weird in the slightest. I accept it carefully, so as not to touch his fingers and try to appear relaxed, despite the conga of nerves running through me. Arrick seems more chilled tonight, and a slight haziness to the green in his eyes suggests these two have already been drinking the bar dry before the party got into full swing. I turn the glass, raise it with a quick smile and sip on it gratefully, suddenly overcome with awkwardness and unable to stand his eyes on me.

"Just looking for Leila." I raise a brow and look around, straining on tiptoes to see over the hordes of super tall people and avoid looking directly at him. His presence has me all edgy and light-headed and even though I have the urge to run away, I stand my ground in a bid to prove I am over this. Arrick raises his chin and looks around too.

"She's over there, wrapped around Daniel and already looks pretty smashed." He raises his glass, pointing with it into the crowd of tuxedoes and sparkly dresses. One thing my family know how to do is party in grand fashion. I try and follow his direction, turning my head but I am not tall enough to get any real view of her, even in strappy heels and I'm aware that if I stretch too much, the sparkly silver, short dress I am wearing will hitch a little too high. It's not fitted, more of a floaty style so will be a risky move. I sink back onto my shoes defeated and turn back to them with a sigh.