Page 72 of Heart of The Night

As she closed the door behind her, I grabbed my phone and checked the time. It was six o’clock. I ought to get a move on as well.

I walked over to my dresser and opened the jewellery box, selecting a pair of golden earrings that added just the right touch of elegance. Next, I reached for my favourite perfume, a soft, floral scent that always made me feel confident. As I spritzed it onto my wrists and neck, I heard Olivia and Jason talking in the hall, their tones affectionate and warm.

‘See you soon,’ Olivia murmured, her voice carrying a smile.

‘Can’t wait,’ Jason replied, his tone equally tender.

I couldn’t help but snigger, feeling a flutter of excitement for Olivia. She deserved someone sweet like Jason, and he deserved someone as lovely as her, too. Hopefully, this was only the beginning of a loving, life-long relationship.

Turning back to the mirror, I gave myself one final look. The deep-red dress fit perfectly, and with the golden earrings and the subtle fragrance, I felt ready to make tonight unforgettable. Taking a deep breath, I slipped on my heels and grabbed my purse.

As I stepped out of my room, I noticed Olivia had already left. The flat was quiet, and I made my way to the kitchen to grab a glass of water before heading out. Jason was there, leaning casually against the counter as he snacked on a protein bar. He looked up as I entered, his eyes widening in surprise.

‘Wow, Cara,’ he said, his voice tinged with genuine admiration. ‘You look stunning.’

A warm blush rushed into my cheeks. ‘Thanks, J,’ I replied, smiling as I filled a glass with water. ‘I heard you and Livy are going to the cinema with the others.’

‘Yeah.’

I gave him a sidelong look.

‘What?’ he asked, chuckling.

‘What’s the plan?’ I asked, unable to keep my grin at bay. ‘Are you going to hard-launch that you’re dating, or just act like mates?’

He shook his head, clearly amused. ‘Honestly, I haven’t thought that far ahead. I’ll just go with the flow, see what feels right. But I’m not hiding it. I’ve wanted this for ages, so I’m all in.’

‘Stephen and Jon are going to choke if you do anything overt,’ I said, a peal of laughter slipping out of me. ‘I wish I were there to see their faces.’

Jason beamed with mirth. ‘Yeah, they’ll be speechless, no doubt.’

‘Let me know how it goes,’ I said, taking a sip of water.

‘I will, don’t worry.’ His light-blue eyes scanned my outfit again. ‘You won’t have to do the same, though. I already know how Will’s going to react when he sees you.’

‘Oh?’

‘Yeah. I’ll be surprised if you even make it through the door before he tries something.’

I chuckled. ‘We’ll see.’ I drained the rest of the glass and set it on the counter. ‘I’ve got to go. See you later.’

‘Yeah, have fun.’

‘You too.’

§ § §

I drew a steadying breath outside William’s front door, smoothing down my dress before ringing the doorbell. As I waited, the seconds felt like minutes, my heart pounding with anticipation. The realisation of my love for him hovered at the edge of my thoughts, adding weight to every heartbeat.

Finally, the door swung open. William stood there, and my breath caught in my throat. He looked stunning in a cream linen shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his strong forearms. The evening sunlight caught the gentle waves of his brown hair, casting a golden halo around him and imbuing him with an Elysian quality. Seeing him like this, I felt the full force of my feelings for him, a tidal wave of emotion that threatened to overwhelm me.

William froze, his eyes widening as they roamed up and down my body, taking in the deep-red dress that draped over my curves. For a moment, it felt like the world had stopped, and the intensity of his gaze made my pulse race even faster.

‘Am I dreaming?’ he asked, his voice a soft murmur of awe, eyes still locked on me as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

I smiled, feeling a rush of warmth and confidence. ‘No,’ I replied, stepping closer. ‘But I’m glad you like what you see.’

‘“Like” is an understatement,’ he said, bending down to kiss me. Just before our lips met, I caught sight of his arm moving, about to pull me close. In a flash, I grasped his hand, entwining our fingers. I wasn’t ready for him to discover the lingerie beneath my dress just yet.

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