Page 68 of Queen’s Gambit

He led me to a little settee, and with a flick of his wrist, the guards moved away to block off the entrance. I wanted to learn how he did that. His guards always knew what he wanted with the simplest of gestures.

“What do you want to talk about?”

“Father, I just wanted to say thank you. I know that this past year was difficult and that we found ourselves at odds more than once, but this party and accepting Edmundo’s offer…well, it means the world to me. I just wanted you to know how grateful I am that you chose to hear me and my wishes. I spent so many nights thinking that you didn’t love me at all or didn’t care what would make me happy.” I smiled wide and patted his hand. “But, you’ve made me so very happy, and I thought you should know that I love you.”

“I’m happy that you’re happy,” he said but looked away.

“Are you sure? Is there something wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong. I was just wondering where your mother is. She missed my toast,”

He wasn’t telling me something. I’d gotten good at reading people, and Father was holding something back.

As if he’d conjured her, my mother walked past the guards, smiling as she approached.

“I’m sorry, I meant to be up here.”

She was a bright light in any room, and the way my father looked at her was how I knew Eddie looked at me. Father stood and kissed my mother’s cheek before addressing me again.

“Well, it’s rude to keep your guests waiting. Mingle with all the families. It is your party, after all. It would be impolite not to thank them for coming.”

The coolness was back in his voice, but I dutifully nodded, choosing to heed Eddie’s advice and not pick a fight. My father turned and walked away while my mother paused to glance over her shoulder. Her expression was troubled, but I had no idea why, and then they were lost in a sea of people.

Taking a deep breath, I followed after my parents and found Frida waiting at the bottom of the grand staircase. She smiled, but there was only one face I wanted to see right now. Fingers brushed against the back of my hand, and my body warmed as I looked up into Eddie’s soft grey eyes.

He made a show of bowing as he discretely kissed my wrist. My skin burned where we touched, and I craved this feeling forever. When I looked into Eddie’s eyes, I saw a future filled with happiness.

“Happy birthday, anima mia,” Eddie whispered as he pressed his lips to my cheek.

My face hurt from trying not to smile too wide. Keeping my feelings for Eddie hidden had been challenging before, but now that we were engaged, I didn’t know how to keep it bottled.

“May I have the first dance this evening, or maybe all the dances?”

“Yes, my answer will always be yes,” I said, letting him lead me onto the dance floor.

“My meeting with your father is set for right after the party.”

“It cannot come soon enough.”

Eddie twirled me before pulling me back in close.

“I didn’t think you could look any more beautiful than yesterday, but you are a vision, Ana.”

“Stop with all the flattering. I may grow used to it,” I teased.

“You better because I plan on telling you how stunning you are and what you do to me every day for the rest of our lives,” he said, and I wanted to melt into the floor.

The world around me faded, and all I saw was Eddie. He looked dashing tonight in his midnight black suit with the small blue pocket square that matched my dress. Two songs in, and it was as if we were floating on clouds. Eddie stared at me like I was his entire world, and I could’ve stayed out here on the dance floor with him all night, never speaking to another person.

“May I cut in?”

Eddie’s face darkened, and I stared at Christov in shock.

“What the hell are you doing here,” Eddie asked, his hand tightening on my waist.

“It’s Yulianna’s birthday. I’m here with my family to celebrate just like you,” he said, and I wanted to punch him in the face when he smirked at Eddie.

“It’s fine, I better give the other guests a chance to wish me a happy birthday.”