Page 158 of Bleeding Hearts Duet

Chapter Twenty-Six

Brighton

The charity gala had finally arrived.

Nicole and I spent two hours doing our hair and makeup, and I was a nervous wreck as I smoothed my dress out in the mirror.

It was a floor length ivory lace gown with a bow around the waist that accentuated my bump and generous breasts. It wasn’t as clingy as the others I’d tried on, and I loved the way it looked on me. Apparently, Ryland did too.

He stood behind me in the mirror, handsome as ever in a black Ralph Lauren tux. He was clean-shaven and sporting a fresh hair cut that swept into a perfect wave away from his forehead. The lines of his jaw were prominent- yet healthy- and the blue of his irises contrasted strikingly with the darkness of his suit. In short, the man was devastatingly beautiful. His eyes filled with so much warmth and tenderness as they roamed over me that the guilt started to eat at me.

I still hadn’t told him about Alex, but he would find out soon enough. And I had every reason to believe he’d feel betrayed. I didn’t blame him, but I just couldn’t find the courage to tell him what I needed to. Especially when he was looking at me like that. Like he loved me so fucking much he couldn’t breathe without me.

I turned towards him and wrapped my arms around his waist, leaning up on my toes to press my lips against his. His fingers brushed over the back of my neck, massaging me lightly.

“Nervous?” he asked. “You look it.”

I gave him a weak smile. “I’m a little nervous,” I admitted. Because I haven’t told you the truth.Please don’t hate me.

He threaded his fingers through mine and brought my upturned palm to his lips. “You’re going to smash it, baby girl. I’ll be by your side the whole time.”

“I know.” I brushed my hand over his cheek. “Thank you.”

I knew Ted was downstairs waiting for us, but Ryland hesitated as though he wanted to say something else. I ran my fingers over the lapels of his tux, waiting for him to find the words.

“I haven’t told you,” he said softly, “but I’m proud of you for doing this.”

Oh, God. The guilt was unbearable. I could barely even look at him. I felt like such a horrible person. He was opening up to me, and I was about to spring something on him that was certain to make him angry.

“Thank you,” I squeaked. “But it’s not necessary.”

“It is,” he assured me. “What you’re doing Brighton, it’s really something special.”

I buried my face against his chest, my eyes burning with tears. Suddenly, I didn’t even want to go to the gala. Why had I ever agreed to dance with Alex Burton? It was just a stupid dance, but Ryland wouldn’t see it that way. Deep down in my gut, I knew Alex had an ulterior motive. I wanted to call the whole thing off now, but I couldn’t. So I opened my mouth to unburden myself.

“Ryland, there’s something…”

“Hey, lovebirds!” Nicole called out as she strolled into the apartment. “Are you ready? We’ve been waiting downstairs for you.”

Ryland reached for my hand, and the opportunity was gone. I gave Matt and Nicole a shaky smile as they led me towards what I was certain would be a disaster.

***

The event planner had really gone above and beyond. The Westin St. Francis’s ballroom was a sea of shimmering lights and white linens. Gold and rose accented the soft lighting, radiating a feeling of warmth and tranquility.

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.”

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