The Summer Girlfriend (Heart Beach, #1)(65)
“Hi, everyone,” Celeste said, beaming. Her bob looked chic as always and she was wearing a formfitting black gown with a sweetheart bodice. “It’s so wonderful to see your faces. Thank you for being here tonight for our sixteenth annual Smith Foundation gala!”
Applause rang throughout the room. Celeste smiled and waited for the applause to die down before she spoke again.
“The Smith Foundation awards grants to Black entrepreneurs and business owners every year, and it was founded by my parents, two Black entrepreneurs and business owners, who sacrificed so much in order for me to have a better life. My parents instilled in me the importance of supporting community and giving back, and that’s something I’ve passed on to my children.” She glanced back at Jeremiah, Percy, and Amara, who smiled proudly at her. Jeremiah winked, and Celeste laughed.
“This is the first year that we’re hosting the gala without my father,” Celeste said. “Those of you who knew him know that he was a caring, giving, funny, and singular man. Tonight is a continuation of his legacy. Thank you for being a part of that. Thank you for purchasing your tickets, and for bidding on our many auction items tonight, including season tickets for the Sixers and the Nets and a custom painting of the Heart Beach shoreline, painted by my talented daughter, Amara. Your generous gifts will directly help many others achieve their dreams. I’d like to call out a few of our special guests who were recipients of grants in recent years. Racquel Miller opened a soul food restaurant in Oaklyn, using her grandmother’s recipes. Fred Thomas, who opened a martial arts studio last year, has created a wonderful space for the young people in Paterson. Brianna and Eden Jones are sisters who opened a bakery in Mays Landing that specializes in delicious vegan and nondairy offerings. But they are just a few of our special guests. There are many, many more honored guests here tonight. Will all of you please stand?”
Throughout the room, several people stood to exuberant applause. As Noelle clapped, she wondered if Harold knew about the Smiths’ foundation. Hidden Gems Books could definitely use the help.
“From the bottom of our hearts, on behalf of my family and myself, thank you all for being here tonight,” Celeste said. “Now, let’s eat!”
The crowd clapped again as the Smiths walked to their table. Jeremiah kissed Celeste on the cheek, and she accepted a sideways hug from Amara, followed by another kiss on the cheek from Percy. Jeremiah sat in the open seat beside Noelle and she gently rubbed his back. She’d done it naturally, without even thinking about performing her fake-girlfriend role. She understood how significant it was for him and his family to be here tonight without his grandfather. She wanted Jeremiah to know that she was there for him. He smiled at her gratefully and kissed the back of her hand. They stared at each other, caught in their own little moment, spellbound.
“That was a really wonderful speech, Celeste,” Robin said.
Celeste took a sip of her champagne. “Thank you. I don’t know why I feel so nervous tonight.” She cast an anxious smile around the table. “Thinking about Dad, I guess.”
Amara rested her head on Celeste’s shoulder.
“I’m sure he’s looking down at us and wondering when dinner will end so that people can start dancing,” Jeremiah said with a smile.
Celeste burst into laughter. “That’s probably true.”
On cue, dinner was served. At most of the weddings Noelle had attended, food was sometimes the weakest link. It was hard to produce well-seasoned entrées en masse for large events. But the grilled chicken, steak, mashed potatoes, and asparagus that they were served tonight tasted delicious.
Not that the Smiths had much of a chance to enjoy their meals. Throughout dinner, guests visited their table in a constant cycle. Jeremiah introduced Noelle to multiple people, and she smiled and nodded, and held her hand out for a shake and tried her best to remember everyone’s names. It was more difficult than it should have been thanks to how Jeremiah casually rested his hand against her thigh in the affectionate gesture of a besotted boyfriend. Her brain was zeroed in on that point of contact, making it hard for her to focus.
Eventually, the dinner plates were cleared away, and the DJ started to play an upbeat song as he welcomed people onto the dance floor. Noelle glanced around the room and waited to see who would be the first to get up and dance. Then she realized that everyone was looking at their table.
Celeste stood. A quick glance was exchanged between Jeremiah and Percy. Percy nodded, and Jeremiah stood from his chair. He walked around the table toward Celeste.
“Ma,” he said, holding out his arm for her. “Let’s boogie.”
Celeste chuckled as she looped her arm through Jeremiah’s and he led her out to the center of the dance floor. He spun Celeste in a circle and then they two-stepped from side to side. Jeremiah dropped Celeste’s hands and began to move around her, quickly twisting his feet with an in-and-out motion. Celeste barked out a loud laugh at his funny dance, and everyone else laughed too, including Noelle. Once Jeremiah completed a full circle around Celeste, he bowed, and she shook her head as she smiled. It almost looked like she was tearing up, which confused Noelle. Why would Celeste be emotional at Jeremiah’s silly dance? But then Celeste blinked, and her expression cleared. Jeremiah swept his arms out toward Celeste, and she curtsied. The room applauded, and Celeste turned to face everyone, encouraging others to get up too. More guests quickly joined the dance floor.