Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21861 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21861 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Kimberly's gaze darted between them, lingering on their joined hands. "No one knew if you'd come. And you brought..." Her eyes scrutinized Hope from head to toe.
"My wife," Colin supplied, his arm sliding around Hope's waist. "Hope, this is Kimberly Davis. We shared AP Chemistry."
Hope extended her free hand, offering a warm smile. "We were in AP Physics together."
Kimberly blinked, confusion crossing her features before recognition slowly dawned. "Wait... you're the quiet girl who aced all the tests? I barely recognized you."
"I remember you, though. I had just transferred then, and you noticed I was lost. You took the time to show me where my class was."
Kimberley only stared at her. Hope could see that the other woman also remembered what she didn't say, and it was how Kimberley at that time had first called her an 'idiot' for getting lost.
"Small kindnesses matter," Hope added with a smile. "It's nice to see a familiar face after all these years."
The other woman slowly relaxed. "That's true. And I'm sure everyone will be delighted to see you again."
The ballroom buzzed with conversation and laughter, crystal chandeliers casting a flattering glow over the assembled alumni. Women in cocktail dresses, men in suits—all trying to present their most successful selves to the people who had known them when they were young and unformed.
Heads turned as Colin guided Hope through the crowd. Conversations paused. Eyes widened.
"You're causing quite the stir," Hope noted under her breath.
"I can say the same for you," Colin murmured, his hand warm against the small of her back.
A tall, athletic man with graying blond hair approached, his smile wide and practiced. "Colin Soukoulis, in the flesh. You actually showed up."
"Andrew." Colin shook the man's hand. "This is my wife, Hope. Hope, Andrew Thompson. Former basketball team captain, current car dealership owner."
Andrew whistled low, his gaze lingering on Hope longer than necessary. "When the hell did you get married? And your wife...I remember you back then. But I never thought you'd turn into such a knockout."
The possessive tightening of Colin's arm around her waist felt less like performance and more like protection, and it was only when Andrew finally let them go that the tension in his shoulders eased.
Colin guided her toward the bar. "Champagne?"
"Just water, please."
As they waited for their drinks, Hope scanned the room, trying to see which faces were familiar.
"Still nervous?" Colin asked, studying her profile.
Hope accepted her water from the bartender. "Just wondering which shark in this tank will try to take a bite out of me first."
"No one will touch you," Colin stated with quiet intensity. "You're mine tonight. They all know it."
A shiver raced down Hope's spine that had nothing to do with fear.
"There's Roland," Colin nodded toward a portly man with thinning hair who stood near the photo display.
Hope studied him. "He hasn't aged as well as you."
"Few have." No false modesty in that statement.
"True," Hope acknowledged even as her heart started to ache. "And speaking of rare beings who age like fine wine..."
"Colin Soukoulis." A woman's voice, honey-sweet but edged with steel. And the sound had Colin stiffening in recognition even when he had yet to turn.
He slipped an arm around her, and Hope did her best to relax as she came face to face with the woman who once owned Colin's heart. And maybe, she still did.
"I wondered if we'd see you tonight."
Princess Halstead Garcia.
Twenty-five years had refined rather than diminished her beauty. In high school, she had looked what her name suggested: a princess with the face of an angel. Now, she looked like a golden-haired queen who was used to holding court wherever she went.
"Princess." Colin's voice remained even, but Hope felt the tension radiating from him. "You look well."
"As do you," Princess replied, her blue eyes traveling over him with possessive familiarity before sliding to Hope. "And who is this?"
"My wife, Hope." Colin pulled her closer to his side. "Hope, Princess...Garcia. We were... classmates."
The deliberate diminishment of their past relationship did not go unnoticed. Princess's perfect smile tightened at the corners.
"Wife? My goodness." Princess extended a manicured hand. "What a surprise."
Hope accepted the handshake, noting the excessive pressure Princess applied. .
"I seem to have missed all the news about your wedding."
"Hope wanted a quiet one," Colin answered, "and whatever she wants, I do my best to provide."
Princess's gaze swept over Hope again, lingering on her gown. "That's a lovely dress. Valentino's spring collection?"
"You should ask Colin," Hope answered honestly. "I defer to all of his decisions, sartorially speaking."
"He always did have good taste in women's clothes." Princess's smile held a secret, her eyes meeting Colin's with an intimacy that made Hope's chest tighten. "Remember that little boutique in Austin? You had such an eye for quality, even back then."
Colin's expression remained neutral, but Hope felt him stiffen beside her.
"What is it that you do now?" Princess insisted on asking. "I don't believe you mentioned it."