“Yes, thanks, Clara.” She turned to Lucy. “Let’s go, Lucy.”
Her daughter rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically. “There’s still time for you to change your mind, Mom.”
“Let’s go,” she repeated sternly. “I mean it, Lucy. I’m tired too. I promise we won’t stay for the entire ball, just long enough to mingle a bit before dinner. We’ll come home right afterward, okay?”
“Fine.” Lucy dragged her feet as they headed into Lauren’s room. Then her daughter brightened. “Oh, I get to wear a red dress too?”
“Yes, you’re going to look beautiful.” She was glad Clara had remembered this charity was for the pediatric cardiac care program at St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital. Hence the red dresses. “Give me a minute to change and I’ll help you.”
Fifteen minutes later, she and Lucy were ready to go. Normally, Lauren would have had her hair done special, and Lucy’s too, but that couldn’t be helped. It was nothing short of a miracle that they were back in time to attend at all.
When she and Lucy stepped into the living room, she stopped short upon seeing Grady standing there in his tuxedo. If she thought he was attractive before, with his longish dark-brown hair and five o’clock shadow, he was downright gorgeous now.
“Wow.” He whistled. “Lauren, you and Lucy look amazing.”
“Thank you.” She felt herself blush, even though she knew he was just playing along with his role. “And you look dashing yourself. I really appreciate you escorting us tonight.”
“Absolutely.” His eyes narrowed a bit. “There’s been no word from Agent Braun. I left him another message. Hopefully, he’ll call back soon.”
“He will.” She forced herself to sound confident. She imagined Braun was working out a deal with Curtis Handover at this very moment.
“I know.” Grady stepped forward and picked up her long leather coat, holding it so she could slip her arms into the sleeves.
“Thanks.” She hoped couldn’t help but smile when Grady held Lucy’s coat for her too. Ever the gentleman. More so than Nelson ever was.
When Grady offered his arm, she tucked her hand in the curve of his elbow. Glancing up at his handsome profile, she wished again that this were a real date.
Apparently, she was destined to be like a reversal of Cinderella. She wasn’t poor, and she would have her night at the ball. But at the stroke of midnight, Grady would cease to be her Prince Charming. Tomorrow, he would be gone.
Leaving her and Lucy alone once again.
13
How Grady managed to utter a coherent sentence was beyond him. He’d nearly swallowed his tongue when Lauren glided into the living room wearing a form-fitting sequined red dress, Lucy at her side. And glided was the right word. Lauren looked as if she were walking on air.
She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever known, and for what felt like the zillionth time, he had to force himself to remember his job was to protect her and Lucy.
Not to kiss her again.
It was no wonder she pulled in so much money for her charity events. He would donate everything he had just to spend time with her.
As Grady escorted Lauren and Lucy out of the penthouse and to the elevator, he tried not to remember that she’d asked him to act as her fiancé for the evening. Better that he focus on his role as their bodyguard.
“I have a car waiting outside the lobby,” Lauren said as she pushed the elevator button.
He arched a brow. “When did you arrange that?”
“Months ago.” She looked confused by his question. “I use the same car service for all my charity events.”
Her world was beyond his comprehension. He couldn’t imagine having a car service set up that far in advance. And the more he thought about her following her usual routine, the more he didn’t like it.
“Hold on. I think it’s better if I drive the rental.” He frowned when Lauren looked annoyed. “I’m sure the hotel has valet parking, right?”
“Yes. But I always take the limo...” Her voice trailed off as she suddenly realized his concern. “Okay, fine. You can drive, but I need to tell the driver so he’s not sitting there for hours.”
“We can do that.” As the elevator slid down to the lobby level, and the doors slowly opened, he swept a curious gaze around the area. He’d only been in the parking garage and up in the penthouse. The décor was fancier than he’d anticipated. Lots of chrome and glass, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the street. There was a front desk manned by a security guard who nodded at them as they walked past. There were also several cushioned chairs scattered about. Savion Enterprises was an impressive place.
And Grady knew it was only one of many properties her father owned.
