Page 118 of You and Me, For Real
As guests arrive,I greet each one as they enter the ballroom. Lynn and Luke accompany me in the formal receiving line as fellow board members. Griffin has yet to arrive with Scarlet. Wren took the stage as soon as the doors opened. I slap a smile on my face and make more eye contact in one night than I have in an entire year. I attempt to ignore the anxiety churning in my stomach.
Wren croons beautiful lyrics from the stage, completely in her element. Her red hair and plum gown are aglow under the sharp spotlights.
Luke leans toward me and whispers, “You’re doing great.”
I smile, knowing this is near torture for him too, as a man of few words. Most of his interactions tonight have been a brief handshake and a simple“Welcome.”
My palms sweat the moment I see Scarlet and Griffin enter the line. She’s latched onto his arm, but his eyes are solely focused on me. He winks.
A blush races up my neck and fills my cheeks.
Luke leans toward me and says, “I saw that,” making me blush even hotter.
I bite my lower lip to keep myself from smiling too wide and giving myself away. I decided if tonight goes as planned, I’ll be telling Griffin I love him. I’m tired of trying to contain my feelings. I want a future with him. It’s time I stop letting fear hold me back.
And that includes hiding from the spotlight.
So instead of approaching the stage for my welcome speech with fear and trepidation, I stand in front of the large audience with confidence and joy exuding from every pore of my being.
That is, until halfway through my speech, I spot my mom with Thomas Ford.
My stomach bottoms out.
My gaze immediately finds Griffin’s and trails back toourparents, leading him. He winces, his eyes slow to meet mine again. His betrayal stabs right in my core. He’s been keeping this secret from me for longer than just tonight.
34
GRIFFIN
“Good evening, guests, friends, and fellow patrons. On behalf of myself and the board for The Rescue Ranch, we’re so grateful for your presence.”
Ashton looks radiant on stage. She might not have ever wanted to be in the spotlight, but she deserves to be. I love seeing her shine.
She continues her speech seamlessly until a few minutes into it, her eyes catch on something at the back of the room. Her voice wobbles slightly. I mentally urge her to look at me. To focus. To continue.
But she’s frozen, mouth hanging ajar.
I can’t resist the temptation. I crane my neck to follow where her eyes have landed.
And there stands my dad with Ashton’s mom.
Crap.
Scarlet squeezes my bicep and whispers, “The stage is this way, Griff.”
I shut my eyes, regretting not having told Ashton about my dad and her mom. It was stupid of me, really. I assumed the two would have fizzled out already, as fast as Dad moves throughhis relationships. I never thought he’d bring her here. I didn’t even know he’d be here! That’s my fault for underestimating my father and his desire to seek any opportunity he can to rub elbows with more potential clients.
Wren steps closer to Ashton, slipping an arm around her waist. “Weare so honored. I say this on behalf of all the board members: myself, Griffin Ford, Luke Carter, and Lynn Wilson. Thankyou, Ashton, for allowing us to be a part of something so great.” She lifts her hands in the air and claps. “Let’s hear it for Ashton and her vision for The Rescue Ranch!”
The crowd cheers, and Ashton blushes a deep crimson, making me want to smother those fiery cheeks with kisses. The attention is enough to shake Ashton from her stupor, a smile creeping onto her face. I applaud even louder. So proud.
Wren gives Ashton a quick side hug. She nods her encouragement for Ashton to continue with a broad grin. Ashton steps back up to the microphone.
“Atta girl,” I whisper under my breath.
“Yes! AndI’mso grateful to have the help of such a wonderful board with excellent ideas for the future. We anticipate amazing things for our animal community in the near future. And that’s all because of your generous donations. Thank you again for coming to support such a great cause.”
Wren leans back into the mic. “Now, drink up, and have a great time!” She strums her guitar with a little jingle.
