There were three empty chairs at the table and I guided Lucy to the one beside the dress designer. She clutched my forearm when she realized what I was doing, her body practically vibrating with excitement. When was the last time I was that excited about work?
Oh, that’s right.Never.
I unbuttoned my jacket and sat down beside Lucy, tugging her chair closer to mine and slinging my arm across the back of it.
“King,” the alpha across from me said in a booming voice. “Good to see you.”
It took me a second to place him. “Jack.” I lifted my chin when I remembered he was one of the corporate lawyers who had helped with a company merger last year.
“I’m surprised you’re here. We don’t usually see you socializing.” He grinned, his gaze turning to Lucy. “And who’s your date?”
“I’m Lucy. It’s nice to meet you.”
“It’sverynice to meet you. How did this one”—he jerked his head in my direction—“win such an amazing prize? You’re clearly too good for him.” Jack flashed me a shit-eating grin, and I imagined leaping over the table to strangle him. Before my possessiveness could get the best of me, Lucy put her hand on my chest.
“Don’t let that grumpy exterior fool you. He’s incredibly charming, especially when we’re alone.” Her tone was drenched with innuendo, and she leaned in to press a kiss to my jaw. The murderous urge I’d felt toward Jack vanished. I played with Lucy’s hair, curling the ends around my fingers. Irritation flashed across the alpha’s face, filling me with smugness.
Lucy turned toward the others at our table, effortlessly introducing herself and charming everyone in the process. She only faltered when she turned to Jacqueline Wu. My hand shifted to the back of her neck. I squeezed and the tension melted out of the omega.
“I’m a huge fan of your work. I’ve been following you since your blog days.”
Jacqueline’s eyes widened and she laughed. “Oh, wow. Not many can say that, which I’m grateful for. My early designs weresomething.”
“They were amazing. I studied the Celina Tulle dress from your second collection for months when I was in middle school. It was all I talked about, so much so that my moms ended up banning any mention of the dress at dinner. My grandma helped me recreate it. My seams were crooked and the whole silhouette was a bit of a mess, but I wore it every single day during winter break.”
Jacqueline looked taken aback but pleased. Lucy’s sincerity was a breath of fresh air at events like this, when so many of the attendees were here to brag and posture.
“Do you work in fashion?” she asked.
“Oh, I just have a small tailoring shop in Starlight Grove.”
I waited for Lucy to say more, to talk about the clothes she designed, but she didn’t.
I tightened my hold on her neck. “Lucy is the best tailor I’ve everseen. She tailored this tux for me in a matter of hours just this afternoon. And she sews. She made the dress she’s wearing tonight.”
Lucy squirmed in her seat, and I wished I could scent her so I knew what she was feeling.
The woman next to Jacqueline—I think she’d introduced herself as Susan? Sarah?—leaned forward. “You sewed that dress? The lacework is incredible. Who’s the designer?”
“She is,” I said, taking pleasure in bragging about Lucy, especially if she wasn’t going to do it herself. It was a foreign concept to me—I’d grown up in a home where accomplishments were prized above all else. How fucking bleak was it that everything I’d achieved in life was motivated by my desire to win my parents’ attention and approval?
The three women fell into an easy conversation about their predictions for summer fashion trends. I didn’t understand any of it, but I was perfectly content to play with Lucy’s hair and study her side profile. There were plenty of designers in New York City. Caroline could easily arrange meetings so Lucy could talk with all of them to her heart’s content.
My hand froze against the omega’s shoulder and my skin flashed hot and cold with the realization that I was envisioning spending time with her beyond this night.
I pulled my arm away and focused on the untouched salad in front of me like the wilted lettuce was the most fascinating thing in the world.
My life was in New York City, and by the way Lucy had talked about Starlight Grove on our drive, it was obvious that she belonged there. I didn’t know how much longer I was staying in town, but I definitely was not in a place to start a relationship, let alone form a lifelong bond with an omega I met a few hours ago.
If Lucy noticed me pulling further into myself, she didn’t let on as she effortlessly guided the table conversation as each dinner course was served.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” a deep voice boomed across the largeroom, jolting me out of my brooding. “We thank you so much for attending tonight to support pediatric cancer research. The event we’ve all been waiting for, our bachelor auction, starts in five minutes! Bachelors, please make your way backstage.”
Fuck. I’d been so captivated by Lucy, I’d forgotten why we were here.
“You ready for your big moment?” She leaned toward me and our arms brushed.
I cocked an eyebrow. “As long as you are.”
