He pulls out his phone and calls for a car as I take in my surroundings. The hall just filled with glittering gowns and sharp suits, now hollowed out and echoes roaming free.
“Everything okay?” He steps back and snakes an arm around me, placing a tender kiss on my cheek.
“Yeah, I just can’t believe we actually did it. Wyst came third; we have more than enough money to take us past the official launch.” I don’t say the rest, because Oliver already knows what’s about to happen.
My eyes begin to sting again, and I scramble to keep my mind in the moment, instead of thinking about the coming days. “And I’m sad the only time I got all dressed up to come to a fancy event like this the only person I danced with was Malcolm.”
He smiles at me, an eyebrow cocked. “We have five minutes until the car arrives?”
I swallow, gesturing at the stage. “The musicians have gone home.”
He clicks away at his phone, music swelling from the speaker, and places it inside his jacket pocket. The violin concerto begins to soar, vibrating lightly against my chest.
A wet laugh bursts out of me as I take his outstretched hand. Letting him pull me into a gentle sway.
A tear escapes me as I say, “Thank you for being... y’know. Okay with everything.”
He pulls me tighter, more like a moving hug rather than a dance. “Thank you for telling me. I’m so sorry you went through that, that you’re still going through it.”
I rest my temple on his shoulder as we sway in silence.
Eventually, the song ends and he leans his chin down to me. “Do you want me to drop you back at your hotel?”
I cringe. “I’m sharing a room with Spencer.”
He laughs into my temples. “All right, do you want to come to mine and eat room service in bed?”
“That’s the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me,” I joke, but I might actually be serious.
He takes me by the hand, kissing it gently. “Let’s get out of here.”
Chapter 29
Business Account (WYST) BALANCE: -£5,002.77
Personal Account BALANCE: -£1,915.30
The rising sun trickles over us in slow, lazy rivulets. We’ve been awake for most of the night reintroducing ourselves to each other.
“When do you have to go?” he asks, running a hand up my bare chest until it reaches my neck.
“Never, if you keep doing that,” I say, my eyes fluttering closed again.
He huffs a laugh, pulling me in toward him until my head rests on his side. I sink into him, reveling in a morning without the rolling wave of anxiety the moment my brain achieves consciousness.
“I have to go soon,” I say into his chest. “I need to tell Dominic, then I have to tell everyone else.” It’s the only way to take control of what’s happening, what Malcolm is threatening. Damage control before the damage is done. Well, not that I haven’t already caused a lot to everyone around me. Making Spencer put on a high-stakes act, risking Pacha and Cecily’sjobs, putting Oliver in a conflicting position without his knowledge. “Could you organize a meeting with him today?”
He runs a hand through my hair. “I think Dominic’s already left; he was meant to fly back to London after the ball last night.”
The sheets crumple as I sit up. “I thought you said he was staying at this hotel?”
“I said he has aroomat this hotel,” Oliver clarifies, “but Dom is like a vampire; he barely sleeps.”
I nod. “That would explain the sexy brooding thing.”
“And the bloodlust,” Oliver adds, face deadpan.
“Booking a hotel room and not even sleeping in it is the level of success I aspire to.” I stare up at the popcorn ceiling.
