Page 76 of The Ring Thief
“It’s this dress,” I say. “It’s stunning.”
He makes a noise of disagreement. “It isn’t the dress.” He waits until I lift my head, his piercing stare seeming to see right through me. “Thank you again for coming with me tonight.”
With Sasha’s warning ringing in my ears, I confess in a rush, “I’m worried about tonight.” I take a deep breath to slow my racing heart. “I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing, and I’m…” I look up, noting his furrowed brows and clenched jaw. “I’m scared about letting you back in, and everything being the same as it was.” A slight shrug. “Or worse.”
“Lil—”
“I didn’t want to say anything, but Sasha told me I’m shit at communicating.”
“Did she?”
“Well, not in so many words, but I’m just—” I suck air in through my teeth. “Please, don’t prove me wrong for giving you this chance.”
He doesn’t take his eyes off me, his expression solemn. “Lily, I’d rather tear my own heart out than hurt you again.” He leans even further into my space, his seatbelt stretching against his torso, and presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth. “Thank you for being honest with me. Your bravery is just another one of the things I love about you.”
My eyes start to burn, and I quickly turn away, looking out the window as I try to lock down my wayward emotions.
The next twenty minutes pass in a comfortable silence, our hands still entangled. When the driver pulls up outside the hotel where the gala is being held, I can see that the path to the stairs is cordoned off, reporters lining each side.
“Don’t get out,” Declan tells our driver, and then he’s gone, the door shutting behind him as he rounds the car. He opens my door with a flourish, leaning down to offer me his hand. I don’t hesitate, my palm sliding against his as I let him help me out.
As soon as I clear the car, the reporters converge, shouting questions about our marriage and annulment, about Declan’s father, abouteverything.
I feel like I’m trapped in a bubble, hearing it all from a distance as Declan wraps an arm around me, his large body shielding me from theworst of it. He pushes us past them to get inside, his hold on me is firm and protective. Warmth swells in my chest as we step through the doors, the clamor behind us fading, and I realize, even while I’m not sure where we go from here, I’m feeling hope.
We head into the ballroom, the enormous chandelier immediately drawing my eye, before I gaze around at the glamorous setup. Tables line the outer edges of the room, leaving a large space in the middle where several couples are already swaying to the live instrumental music. Declan snags us two champagne flutes from a passing server, pressing one into my hand.
“Thank you,” I murmur, eyes roving around the room, searching for familiar faces, and gauging how many curious stares are focused on me with myex-husband. A shiver races down my spine when I think about Silvia, and how far her lies might’ve spread.
“Lily,” Declan says, and I look up, finding him watching me with concern. “It’ll be okay.”
“Of course it will,” I say, but his worry doesn’t ease. Before he can press the issue, Dad and Julie are there. He’s dressed in a classic black suit, complete with a bowtie, while Julie’s wearing a forest-green gown that makes her eyes pop, her expression overwhelmed.
“Lily. Declan,” my dad greets happily, leaning forward to press a kiss to my cheek before shaking Declan’s hand. “Good to see you two here.” His eyes bounce between us meaningfully.
“Dad,” I murmur, my tension lessening in the company of friendly faces. I move away from Declan’s hold, despite his scowl, and hug Julie, whispering in her ear, “You look amazing.”
She frets with one of the wide straps of her dress, her eyes harried. “Thank you.” She looks over at my dad, checking he’s engaged in his conversation with Declan before whispering, “I don’t belong here, and I think we all know it.”
“Why wouldn’t you?”
She scoffs lightly. “Come off it, girlie. I’m a housekeeper, for goodness sake. Not Cinderella. This is—” She clamps her teeth down on her lower lip, staring around the room like a deer in the headlights of oncoming traffic. “I’m so far out of my element, you should just start callingme Alice.”
I make a small sound of amusement, turning to stand at her side, bumping my hip against hers. “You’re fine. These are just people with deep pockets, not evil queens looking to lop off heads.”
“You’re not helping,” she complains, using her hand to fan her face. Another server passes and I grab a flute for Julie.
She takes it, even as she protests, “I shouldn’t. I need to keep my wits about me.”
“Just drink it,” I admonish her. “It’ll help settle your nerves.”
The look she slides at me is so doubtful, I can’t stop the grin curling my lips. She sips her drink anyway, her eyes widening in surprise.
“Oh, that’s nice. If this is what the other half is drinking, I should’ve locked down your father a long time ago.”
I’m not sure she meant to say that out loud, and a laugh escapes me. Dad appears at her other shoulder, eyebrows almost in his hairline.
“Locked me down, did you?” he murmurs, and then leans forward to whisper something in her ear that has her cheeks going hot. I look away, not needing to see my father getting his flirt on.Weird.
