Total pages in book: 171
Estimated words: 162003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 810(@200wpm)___ 648(@250wpm)___ 540(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 162003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 810(@200wpm)___ 648(@250wpm)___ 540(@300wpm)
It was designed to make people feel comfortable. To open their checkbooks and donate to a worthy cause. But I felt anything but comfortable as I stood with a churning gut, scanning the room for Alex Burton.
The moment we walked into the room, Ryland had a bulls-eye on his forehead. Men and women were constantly swarming him, seizing the opportunity to shake hands and talk business if only for a mere moment. The lucky ones got a photo with him, which I knew would do wonders for their own business relationships.
He worked the room well, introducing me to everybody that crossed our path with pride in his eyes. I smiled and laughed when appropriate, but I felt like I was going to faint at any second.
I spotted Nicole across the room and gestured to her.
“I have to go to the bathroom,” I told Ryland. “I’ll be right back.”
He gave his nod of approval when Nicole came to escort me before he let me slip away. I barely managed to make it into the privacy of the luxurious powder room before I started to have a full blown panic attack.
“Why did I ever agree to dance with Alex Burton?” I whined. “Ryland’s going to freak out. I just know it.”
“It’s okay, Brighton.” Nicole waved it off like I was being silly. “It’s just one dance. It doesn’t mean anything."
“I know,” I protested. “But I have a bad feeling about this. Why did Alex want to dance with me? He could have just talked to Ryland and gotten a photograph. Wouldn’t that have the same effect?”
“They’re old rivals.” She shrugged. “I doubt Ryland would want to be photographed with him.”
I sank against the counter and fanned my face. Nicole didn’t think it was a big deal, but I had a sick feeling about the whole situation. “I should have told him. He’s going to be hurt.”
“It’s going to be fine,” Nicole assured me. “It’s just a dance, Brighton. In public, at a charity gala. Not just any charity, but your charity. This is what’s expected of you.”
I took a deep breath and let her words sink in. She was right, of course. This was something I would have to do as part of these events. Just like Ryland had to attend dinners and functions he didn’t always want to. It was just business. Right?
“Okay,” I relented. “Freak out is over. We can go back out.”
Nicole smiled and pulled me back out into the sea of people. We didn’t make it very far before a familiar voice stopped us.
“How about that dance now?” Alex asked.
I spun around and found him standing with such an arrogant smile it made me wince. His face gave nothing but charm and sophistication away, but there was just something about this guy that set off all the warning bells inside my head. A deal was a deal though. I told him I was going to dance with him, and I would. Three minutes of my life. That’s all I would give him and nothing more.
“Okay,” I said weakly.
Nicole released me and gave me a reassuring smile, watching as he led me onto the dance floor. He took up the perfect gentleman’s stance and led without an ounce of discomfort, which helped me to relax a little.
“Ryland seems very happy to have you on his arm this evening,” he remarked.
I wasn’t going to discuss anything to do with Ryland, so I made a point to let him know it. “How are you enjoying the gala so far?”
He smirked as though he were amused I had the guts to stand up to him. “It’s as I expected.” He gave a flippant shrug. “No offense, Miss Valentine, but these things are all the same to me. A couple hours of dreadful music and a dinner that I’ve paid entirely too much for. But at least there’s alcohol.”
I frowned at his words. Nicole had put so much time and effort into planning this event, and she’d done an amazing job. For him to dismiss it so easily irked me.
“So you’re really just here for a photo,” I clarified.
As I said it, I felt the flash of several cameras going off around us. Apparently, it was a big deal for him to be dancing with me.
“Yes,” he agreed with a dark smile. “Among other things.”
I was about to ask him what he meant when I glanced up to see Ryland. He wasn’t just angry, but furious as he pulled me into his side. And all of it was directed at Alex Burton.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he asked in a scarily calm voice.
“Nice to see you too, Ryland. I was just taking your girlfriend for a spin on the dance floor.” Alex winked at me. “Someone should. A beauty like her was meant to be appreciated.”