Page 59 of Cole

She hoped that the dress she’d chosen would be good enough to not stand out in a bad way. The woman who owned the boutique in Serenity that Annie had visited had assured her that it would work just fine.

When she’d first gone into the boutique, Annie had shown her some pictures of what women had worn in previous years, and the owner had accepted the challenge and found what she declared to be the perfect dress for Annie.

And now, as she stood looking at herself in the standalone mirror in the corner of the large bathroom, Annie thought that perhaps itwasthe perfect thing for the gala.

The silhouette in the mirror revealed a woman Annie barely recognized. The champagne-colored gown hugged her petite frame, its delicate beadwork catching the light with every subtle movement. Her light brown hair, usually kept in simple styles, had been transformed into an elegant updo with soft tendrils framing her face. The stylist had incorporated tiny crystal pins that sparkled among the caramel-colored strands. Annie leaned closer, studying the woman before her—sophisticated, poised, and somehow vulnerable all at once.

“Is that really me?” she whispered, brushing her fingertips against the cool glass.

The dress’s sweetheart neckline accentuated her slender neck, where a simple diamond pendant—one of the few pieces of jewelry she owned—rested against her skin. She turned slightly, watching how the fabric caught the light, flowing like liquid gold around her ankles.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

“Annie?” Dawn’s voice came through the door. “I’ve spoken with the team.”

Annie took a deep breath, her heart racing with anticipation. “And?”

Dawn entered, her expression softening as she took in Annie’s appearance. “You really do look absolutely stunning.”

“Thank you,” Annie said, smoothing down the fabric of her dress nervously. “But what did they say?”

“James has already left to scout the venue,” Dawn replied. “Andrew will follow you there, but he won’t go inside since we don’t want Cole to recognize him.”

Annie’s eyes widened. “I can’t believe you’re letting me go without talking to my dad.”

“There are still some conditions,” Dawn said firmly, though her lips quirked into a small smile. “You stay with Cole at all times. No wandering off alone. And if James gives the signal, you leave immediately, no questions asked.”

Annie nodded eagerly. “I promise. Thank you, Dawn.”

“Don’t make me regret this,” Dawn said firmly, but her eyes were kind. “Now finish getting ready. Cole will be here to pick you up in twenty minutes.”

After Dawn left, Annie returned to the mirror for one final look. For the first time in her life, she wasn’t Annalisa, the hidden daughter of a wealthy family. Tonight, she was simply Annie—a woman attending a gala with a handsome man and experiencing a small taste of normalcy.

The chime of her phone alerted her to a text. Cole had arrived early. With one last glance at her reflection, Annie smiled at the woman in the mirror—a woman ready to embrace whatever the evening might hold.

“Annie?” Cole’s voice came through the door. “Dawn said you might be ready soon.”

Her heart fluttered at the sound of his voice. “Just a minute,” she called, smoothing down the fabric of her dress one last time.

She gathered her small clutch purse, slipped on her heels, and took a steadying breath. Whatever happened tonight, she would savor every moment of this freedom, this chance to step beyond the carefully constructed boundaries of her life.

When she opened the door, Cole’s expression made every minute of preparation worthwhile. His eyes widened, and for a moment, he seemed at a loss for words.

“Wow,” he finally managed, his gaze traveling from her face to the elegant dress and back again. “You look… incredible. Notthat you don’t always look beautiful because you most certainly do.”

Annie felt her cheeks warm. “Thank you. You clean up pretty well yourself.” And he did—the tailored black tuxedo fit him perfectly, highlighting his athletic build in a way his casual clothes didn’t.

“I have something for you,” he said, revealing a small box he’d been holding behind his back. Inside was a bracelet with delicate gold links and tiny stones that matched her dress perfectly.

“Cole, you didn’t have to—”

“I wanted to,” he said, carefully fastening it around her wrist. “Consider it a thank you for agreeing to come with me tonight. These events can be… well, let’s just say having you there will make it a lot more enjoyable.”

“You look so nice, sis,” Benji said as he stood beside Dawn. “I hope you have fun.”

“Thanks, hun.” Annie walked to him and gave him a hug. “Be good for Dawn and Andrew.”

“Of course I’ll be good.”

---