Page 81 of Just The Way You Aren't

"But I'm hopeless." I pull into the office parking lot. "I've completely fallen for him, Abby. Somewhere between him fixing Mrs. Baumgartner's stove and suffering through bingo night, I fell hard."

"And you think he doesn't feel the same?"

I turn off the engine, sitting in the sudden silence. "I think Damien Langley could have any woman he wants in this city or anywhere else. Why would he want someone whose life is held together with duct tape and good intentions?"

"Because," Abby says firmly, "maybe that's exactly what he needs. Someone real. Someone who makes him smile."

"He does smile more now," I admit. "You should have seen him at the boutique. He looked physically pained every time I tried on a dress."

"In a good way?"

"In a very good way." I grin at the memory. "He used a throw pillow to hide his... appreciation."

Abby cackles. "And you don't think this man is crazy about you?"

"I know he's attracted to me. But after tonight..."

"Stop." Abby's voice is firm. "Tonight is going to be perfect. You're going to wear that gorgeous blue dress and Louboutins he bought you, save Silver Hearts from financial disaster, and knock Damien Langley's socks off. Tomorrow's problems can wait until tomorrow."

She's right. Of course she's right. "Okay. I hear you. One thing at a time."

"Exactly. Now we have three more fires to put out before you can transform into Cinderella."

I’m laughing as I leave my car and enter our little office. The afternoon flies by in a whirlwind of problem-solving. The auction items arrive just as promised. We find a photography student desperate for portfolio pieces who agrees to shoot the event for cost. Juana practices her speech with me, her words bringing tears to my eyes.

By four o'clock, I'm exhausted but oddly exhilarated. Everything's coming together. Not perfectly, not according to plan, but in that uniquely Silver Hearts way where chaos becomes magic.

"Go," Abby orders, practically shoving me out the door. "I'll handle the rest. Your apartment keys?"

I hand them over. "Don't let Tiny guilt you into extra treats. He's on a diet."

"Sure he is." Abby winks. "Now go make yourself gorgeous. Not that you need much help."

As I drive home to shower and change, my phone buzzeswith a text from Damien.

Damien:Busy day here. Everything under control there?

Me:Define "control"

Damien:Do you need me to come early?

My heart squeezes. Even with his own preparations, he's thinking of me.

Me:I've got it handled. See you at 7?

Damien:Wouldn't miss it.

I stare at those three words longer than necessary. Tonight might be an ending, but maybe—just maybe—it could be a beginning too.

Time to stop worrying and start getting ready. After all, I have a billionaire to dazzle, seniors to celebrate, and a fundraiser to host.

CHAPTER 25

DAMIEN

Willow's apartment door swings open before I can knock, and every coherent thought evaporates from my mind. The midnight blue dress I bought her fits like it was painted on, hugging every curve I've memorized with my hands and mouth. Her wild red hair is swept up in an elegant twist that probably took her an hour to achieve and will take me five seconds to destroy later tonight.

If I have my way, that is.

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