I sigh.
Stuart sighs.
I look down at him, “Yes, I agree. I’m properly screwed.”
_____
I am not easily impressed but right now I would say I am pleasantly surprised. When Harper announced a multi-town charityball, which I suspect was actually Steven’s idea, I balked. This tiny town throwing a gala? In what ballroom? With what donors?
I did help on that bit. Apparently there are a few remotely rich and famous people from this tiny town—beyond Benedict, now, I suppose—and I had Mildred pull the strings available to me to either get them here or have them purchase a table. Compared to our usual to-dos, a table tonight costs them pennies. Even after the price increase I insisted on.
They’ve done up the high school gym rather well, I must say. Steven told the morning crowd at the shop that he and Miles could work magic with the existing prom decor from all of the nearby high schools.
He delivered. Curtains, little string lights, drapery…plants? I don’t know, I’m just glad it’s nice for them. For her.
My eyes scan quickly for a shock of bright red hair among the blur of tuxedos and ball gowns. But Harper is short. So I scan for Benedict instead.There!And next to him is his lovely, prickly (to me) wife and next to her…yes!
Wow.
My legs start moving while my eyes stay pinned on the spot. I run into a table and bump shoulders with a staffer. I think I murmur a sorry. Can’t be sure. Can’t think of anything other than getting to her.
She’s in a soft floral gown which is just so totally her, and the pinks and reds are making her hair, down in waves, even more striking than usual. She’s got…sparkles? Along her freckles and near her eyes? She’s twinkling like a damn angel, eyes wide and lips smirking as she sees me approaching.
Approaching might be an understatement. I just sprinted across the room. Can’t be helped. I loitered in the shop this week, kidnapped her dog again, texted her like a needy tween and still she wouldn’t let me pick her up for this evening.
God help me if she doesn’t let me take her home tonight.
I step directly into her space and reach out to hold her precious face. But her eyes go wide.
I stammer, “Oh, can, can I not kiss you hello?”
“What? No!” she whispers.
Janie makes a snort-squeak sound next to me and I’m pretty sure Benedict is laughing. I’ll punch him later.
“Right,friends.Sorry. A hug then?”
She chuckles a, “Sure,” at me but I’m already hugging her. Holding her head to my chest, I breathe her in. She smells like sugar, of course, and some fruity perfume or hair product. Heaven. She smells like heaven.
She pulls away while I’m filled with…longing? I want to kiss her, here and now, hold her hand, lead her around with a hand on her lower back, maybe her neck too. Basically I want to stake a claim on her like a right caveman twat.
“We need a drink!” Janie exclaims, pulling Harper with her to the bar.
I watch her go like my heart is out of my body and floating away in a cloud of flowers and sugar and those damn sparkles.
Bloody weird, all of it.
“Uh, hello,” Ben says, smirking.
“Piss off, Ben,” I grouse.
“Wow, right, yeah, it’s definitely me you’re mad at, mate. Definitely me you should take out all your frustration on. Frustration and what is this…desperation?” I try to ignore him but he piles on, “Never thought I’d see the day. Aiden Vanderwell desperate for something he can’t have.”
“I can have,” I say.
“Oh?”
“She wants this she’s just…being difficult.”
