Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 114951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 575(@200wpm)___ 460(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 575(@200wpm)___ 460(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
My cheeks hurt from the smile I forced as each person who surrounded us praised Nathan, shaking his hand like he was the goddamn president. I was an afterthought, of course, but I still smiled when they acknowledged me.
“Ariana,” a bright voice cut in.
I blinked out of my haze, ears clearing like I’d just emerged from being underwater.
Grace appeared at Nathan’s side with Maven just behind her, both of them beaming like this was the most natural interruption in the world even as the group of highly prestigious benefactors eyed them curiously, like they weren’t sure what to make of them until they figured out how much money they had.
“You did wonderful on stage,” Maven said, smiling at me brightly. I thought I saw something calculated in that smile when she turned to Nathan. “As did you, Mr. Black.”
“Truly. You’ve been amazing, Mr. Black,” Grace gushed. “The donors are eating this up. We’ve already been asked if the gala will be an annual event. They love the holiday cheer of it all.”
Maven nodded enthusiastically. “Sweet Dreams wouldn’t be what it is without you. We’re so lucky the team brought you in this season.”
Nathan preened just a fraction, the tension in his shoulders easing as he accepted the praise. “That’s very kind of you,” he said smoothly. “It’s been a team effort.”
“Well,” Grace said, looping her arm through mine before I could react, “we were hoping to steal Ariana for just a minute.”
Maven leaned in conspiratorially. “There’s a photo booth set up near the back, and we really want pictures of the women who put this whole thing together. You know — for memories.”
Nathan hesitated.
I felt it immediately — the way his grip tightened at my back, the way his gaze slid to my face, sharp and assessing. It was a silent question, a thinly veiled warning.
My pulse kicked up, my smile threatening to crack.
Then he laughed lightly, glancing around at all the affluent people he desperately wanted to impress who were very obviously watching him. “Of course,” he said, gracious as ever. “Go ahead, darling. Have fun.”
His hand slipped from my back with a kiss against my temple, but his eyes didn’t soften when they found mine.
“Just don’t take too long,” he added, voice pleasant, pleasant, pleasant even as it sent chills down my spine. “We’ll need to get back on stage soon to announce the final number of the night.”
My chest constricted as I managed a nod.
Grace squeezed my arm. “We’ll be quick,” she said breezily. “Promise.”
Maven added, “You won’t even miss her.”
They didn’t give him the chance to change his mind.
They threaded their arms through mine, steering me away with laughter and light chatter, the sound of the crowd swallowing us as we moved deeper into the room.
“You okay?” Maven asked quietly once we were out of earshot.
“What?” I replied automatically. “Yeah. I’m fine.”
The words came out flat. Empty.
Grace clicked her tongue softly. “Ari. Don’t do that. Not with us.”
I opened my mouth to argue, to insist I was okay, really, but my lip betrayed me, trembling before I could stop it. Heat burned behind my eyes, and suddenly everything felt too tight — my dress, my chest, the night itself.
Maven stopped walking. Grace did, too. “Oh, honey,” Maven said, her voice so full of concern it broke me. “Come here.”
They wrapped their arms around me, quick and fierce, like they were afraid I might vanish if they didn’t hold on. It took every ounce of willpower I possessed not to completely fall apart in their arms.
They see it.
They see me.
I inhaled shakily. I didn’t know whether to be relieved or fucking terrified.
“Okay,” Grace murmured. “Okay. You’re okay. All right? We’re here. You’re not alone.”
I didn’t know what to do, what to say. I stood stock-still where they held onto my arms after pulling back from the hug.
Maven glanced over my shoulder, scanning the room. “He’s not looking.”
Then she nudged me gently — but firmly — toward the photo booth curtains.
“Go,” she whispered. “Just for a second. We’ll keep an eye out and pull you when it’s time.”
I frowned. “What—”
The curtain parted.
And there was Shane.
It was the first time I’d seen him since he held me, since his lips were on mine, since I ripped away from him knowing I couldn’t have what he was offering, that we couldn’t take what would ruin us both.
The sight of him now had my heart in my throat.
His hair was styled, perfectly placed, but one rogue strand fell over his forehead. I longed to sweep it away. He wore a tailored charcoal suit, the silver threads of it bringing out the gray in his blue eyes. Those eyes were wide and fixed on me, a thousand questions within them.
He smiled, the corner of his lips tilting up as he made room for me next to him on the small bench.