I make a face like that’s just the worst, and a soft giggle escapes her. The joy that lights my heart at the sound of a little girl giggling because of a face I made when she seems like she must have a pretty tough life is unlike anything I’ve ever felt.
“You ready to walk me into the gala?” I ask her.
Her eyes widen, but she gives me the slightest little nod. I straighten, and she slips her hand into mine. The little cold hand takes me by surprise. It’s tiny in my big hands, and I find myself wanting to protect her from whatever it is she’s been going through, whatever trauma or illness she faces. I want to make it go away for her. I have no clue how to help her when I don’t even know what her situation is, but I have resources. I have means.
We walk the red carpet together, and we stop at the step and repeat to smile for photos. I glance at her, and her smile is about as nonexistent as mine is. I pick her up into my arms to let her know it’s okay, and I force my mouth into the shape imitating a smile. It feels unfamiliar and foreign to me, but when I look at her with all my teeth showing, her lips move into a similar shape. We look together at the cameras, and I press my cheek to hers as the bulbs flash in our faces.
I carry her into the ballroom, and Carl’s associate, Beverly, walks over to me. “We’ll take Bella from here, Mr. Jennings. Thank you so much for escorting her in.”
I just met little Bella, but I’m not quite ready to leave her just yet. I set her down, then kneel down to her level. “Thanks for walking me in. Those cameras are so annoying, but being with you made me smile.”
“Me too,” she says quietly, and she throws her arms around my neck. I have no idea how I bonded with a five-year-old girl in the last five minutes, but I did. It feels like we shared something important, like we’re more alike than we realized.
I give her a hug, and she lets go and scampers off toward a woman who looks a lot like her. I’m about to head in that direction to talk to her mom or her aunt or whoever she is when they walk through the doors and back into the lobby.
“How do I get in touch with Bella’s family?” I ask Beverly. “I’d like to help if I can.”
“Information for all recipients is confidential,” she says with a smile. “Your monetary donations tonight will go to help children just like Bella.”
It’s just as important to help other children. I know that. But I also want to help Bella.
I rush away from Beverly and into the lobby, but she’s gone. Vanished. Like it was all some sort of dream.
I blow out a breath as I return to the ballroom to find Everleigh, my heart sinking that I can’t do more for that poor girl.
I don’t see Everleigh’s red dress when I scan the room, and I head back to the lobby in the direction I came from, where I see her talking to Carl.
He hands her a piece of paper, and she thanks him as I saunter over to her.
My brows pinch together. “What’s that?”
“Bella’s guardian’s name, home address, and phone number.” She smiles triumphantly, and I can’t help myself.
I take her into my arms and press my lips to hers as joy fills my chest in a completely unexpected way.
CHAPTER 24: Everleigh Bradley
Can We Talk
“Whoa there, Hotshot,” I say, pulling back.
Just because we’re not at home doesn’t mean we can make out in a hotel lobby. It’s a particularly bad idea with so many cameras around, but I guess this is his way of thanking me.
And also…
Holy shit.
Holy shit.
Am I the only one who saw him with that little girl? Becauseswoon. Swoon City. I feel like I’m that GIF of Blanche fromThe Golden Girlswhere she’s spraying herself with a water bottle because it’s so hot.
I’m equally hot. For Maverick.
There’s no denying it.
I was already in the general vicinity of Swoon City just from seeing him in a suit. But then seeing him with a kid? Lord help us all.
It’s like heturned into someone else entirely around that little girl. He melted from this grumpy asshole into a caring, kind man with a heart of gold. I’ve never seen him like that before.
