Page 37 of Hello Handsome
I’d imagined what it would feel like to have Aggie sayI love you. I want to be with you. I need you.
But hearing she was proud of me touched a part of me that felt just as good.
Maybe there was hope for the two of us yet.
25
AGGIE
I’d never been somewhere solavish. Everything at the gala, from the servers walking around in matching tuxedos to the crystal wineglasses housing bubbling drinks, screamed opulence. Even though I’d worn the finest dress (on the sale rack) at the shop in Roderdale, I still felt out of place. Most of the women here were fit, with toned arms that looked flawless in strapless gowns. And they were either younger than me or had work done to keep their pores invisible and any hints of wrinkles at bay.
As Gray and I stood near the edge of the outdoor reception, I wondered what he thought of these women and of me. Would being around so many beautiful people make him doubt his feelings for me?
Then I realized I was being presumptuous. Neither of us had admitted any feelings yet. All I had to go on was the way his shoulders squared with my hand on his thigh. It made me want to test the theory again later in the evening.
“There he is,” Gray said, looking through the crowd.
Following his gaze, I found his son next to a gorgeous curvy blond in a stunning evening gown. Ford looked just as tall and strong as always, but somehow at ease with the woman next tohim. Usually, there was an intensity to his gaze that made me squirm, but with her… he seemed at peace somehow.
“Let’s go say hi,” Gray said, easily gripping my hand in his. We wove through the crowd, and I recognized some of them from magazines and TV. This really was a different world.
“Ford, Mia,” Gray said, tapping Ford’s shoulder. He released my hand to give the blond a quick hug. “Mia, this is my friend Aggie.”
That’s when I put the pieces together. Earlier in the year, Gray mentioned Ford dating the CEO of Griffen Industries.
I shook her hand, noticing how soft her skin was and her perfect manicure with deep purple nails. “Nice to meet you, Mia. I’m a big fan of your work.”
Her lips parted like she didn’t hear that often. “Is that so?”
I nodded. “My cousin lives in the town where your company bought the tire plants, and it’s been great for their family. She said the raise last year made a big difference for them.”
Mia blinked quickly. “Thank you for saying that. You made my whole night.”
Wow. Beautiful, successful, and humble? I hoped it worked out for her and Ford. I imagined, as a football player, he got a lot of women who were only interested in him for his money or fame.
Ford only had eyes for Mia as he squeezed her side and she smiled up at him.
“You all must be so proud of Ford, too,” Mia commented. “What he’s created from scratch is simply amazing.”
Gray’s eyes shone as he nodded. “I didn’t have much money after we lost Maya. I wish...” His voice broke, and my heart broke for him, remembering the man who first came into the diner all those years ago. The light had slowly come back to his eyes, and he’d overcome so much.
Ford let go of Mia for a moment to hug his dad. “I know,” he said gently.
Mia and I exchanged a knowing look before the pair broke apart. Gray wiped at his eyes and said, “I’m proud of you, son. We’ll let you mingle.” He held his arm out for me, and I slipped my arm through his, knowing he probably needed me.
We walked together, heading toward the outskirts of the crowd, and I whispered, “Let me know if you need a breather.”
The orchestra playing classical music started a new song, and Gray said, “Actually, a dance would help.”
My stomach swooped at the chance to be close to him. I still remembered our first and only dance at Rhett and Magnolia’s wedding, all the feelings that had been warring in my chest. Now was a chance for us to just enjoy each other.
When we reached the dance floor where several couples were waltzing together, Gray took my hand and led us in a dance. I didn’t know the steps, but that was okay because he guided us, making it easy to follow. Our chests brushed together, his chin every so often grazing my temple like he was afraid for more than centimeters to separate us.
When the song ended, Gray brought my hand to his lips, making shivers travel up my arm and branching from my spine to every nerve ending. “Thank you,” he breathed.
“Of course.” I was breathless myself.
The emcee announced dinner would be served soon, so we didn’t have a chance to linger before finding our table where we were seated with Ford and Mia. Working in a diner for so many years, I almost forgot four-course meals weren’t reserved for the movies. The servers brought us dish after dish of mouthwatering food.
