Page 33 of Love Beyond Repair
“They won’t be real,” I murmur and roll my eyes. “It’s just a small thank you for going with him tonight.” She looks at me pointedly.
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” she says, then drops the subject.
With fifteen minutes to go, I’m ready to leave. Entering the living room, I walk cautiously in my super-high heels. Ben is standing by the door in his tuxedo, looking incredibly handsome. My heart skips a beat. His bright-blue eyes roll over my body, and his expression changes. Surprise, maybe. Definitely awe.
He steps forward and takes my hands in his. “You look incredible, Bex.”
He bends slightly to kiss my cheek. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
With his hand on the base of my spine, he leads me out of the front door to a night I know I won’t forget.
Chapter seventeen
Ben
The function room looks incredible. The design team has worked their magic to bring my vision for the ball to life. Cream fabric hangs in swags from the center of the ceiling, framing a massive crystal chandelier. The room is already stunning with heavy golden wallpaper and a cream-colored marble floor. Each table is laid with cream linen and holds a silver candelabra with fresh flowers in the center. The whole place looks opulent and expensive, but it had to be; you can’t justify charging £1000 for a ticket without spending a lot of money.
We have booked the best band available in London within a year’s notice, The Tones. They play an eclectic mix of music, from classic ballads to rock. These thingsusually start like a royal gala and end in someone dancing barefoot with a tie around their head.
My heart is pounding. I cannot believe Melissa trusted me with this, letting me have a considerable influence in the organization. When I see the room, the pride I feel is immense.
Bex’s gaze flies around the room, absorbing our surroundings. I know she has never been anywhere like this, being more comfortable at the local bar and the places she knows well. I stand beside her quietly, waiting for her to speak, to say something. She just smiles at me like an idiot.
“So, what do you think?” I ask softly. I‘ve been touching her since we left the apartment, either guiding her along or holding her hand like I am now. It feels perfect, her hand in mine. She takes another sweeping glance.
“It’s stunning, Ben. I can’t believe you organized all this.” She waves her free hand at the surroundings, then her eyes light up. “Lilies,” she squeaks when she sees the centerpieces. “Oh! They’re my favorite.”
The excitement in her eyes is breathtakingly beautiful. I picked them for her. Of course I did. But instead of saying anything, I just smile and squeeze her hand.
We haven’t spoken much since leaving the apartment. When she walked into the living room, I practically swallowed my tongue. She looked incredible, as if she had just walked off a movie set.
The more time we spend together, the stronger my feelings have become. Tonight, it was as ifI saw her for the first time and could appreciate her unique beauty. If Amy hadn’t been there, I’m not sure I would’ve held back. All I could muster was a smile, a compliment, and a declaration that it was time to go.
Navigating the stairs in her sky-high heels had been interesting. Bex rarely wears heels, and they are never as high as the ‘fuck-me’ shoes she has on tonight. Her grip on my arm was cutting off my circulation as we walked down the stairs from the apartment; she was giggling to herself in the process and swearing at the offending footwear.
The Bentley sat at the curb, waiting for us. It was a kind gift from Melissa. She knew tonight was incredibly important to me, and not because of the ball. Her excuse was that she wanted to treat me because of all my hard work. The truth is, she wanted to be involved in impressing the girl. The girl she knows I want so badly.
“I thought you said the taxi was waiting?” Bex asked, looking up and down the road, obviously confused.
“It is,” I replied simply, gesturing to the waiting car. Her scream must have been audible back in the apartment.
“This?” she gasped excitedly. “How? Why? Fucking hell!”
I laughed and wrapped my arms around her, kissing her temple. She froze briefly in my arms, clearly taken aback by my affection. Then she softened.
“Thank you. This is going to be a special night,” she whispered.
Now here we are at the first-ever Riley Foundation Ball. Bex’s first-ever black-tie event. I lead her over to the table plan. We’ve been allocated seats at the top table alongside Melissa and Eamon. Melissa took full charge of the menu and seating arrangements; she was able to organize all that from the comfort of her home while recovering from her last treatment.
The chef even had samples of food sent directly to her door. She had kept the final menu a secret, so no one knew what was being presented, not even Eamon.
Scanning the guest list, I see that everybody who is anybody in the medical community is coming tonight. There are also a good number of celebrities and influential people as well. For our first event, the guest list is far better than expected. I’m hopeful we will raise a good amount of money tonight.
Warm arms wrap around my waist from behind, and I turn to see Melissa beaming up at me.
“Ben, my boy, what an incredible job you have done with the room.”
Eamon is standing next to his wife, gazing at her with pride. For a woman who has been to hell and back this year, she looks fantastic. Her hair and makeup are understated but polished, and she is wearing an emerald-green evening gown that complements her voluptuous figure. However, her broad, beaming smile is the most attractive part of her outfit. This woman is genuinely happy to be here.
