Page 32 of The One I Love

“He respects my wishes.”

“You and I, we don’t always see things the same way.” Miles’s gaze flickered over her face, then he shrugged. “Forget it. You haven’t asked for my opinion, so there’s no need for me to give it.”

* * *

Eve had pressed Miles for his opinion, and he’d given it to her—bluntly, without any sugarcoating. When she stepped out of the car a few minutes later, the first thing she saw was Anson getting out of his SUV.

What were the odds he’d be in the car ahead of hers? His dark tux accentuated his lean, muscular build. She knew every inch of that amazing body. But it was the man beneath the clothes that had stolen her heart. Though he hadn’t agreed with her reasoning, he’d gone along with this charade tonight because doing so eased her mind.

Anson stopped in front of a well-known television reporter who was covering the red carpet, a camera crew set up behind her. Eve and Miles hung back, but Anson motioned Eve forward. “Eve, would you mind coming here, please? I want you to hear this.”

The second Eve stepped to his side, cameras started flashing.

“I think we’re all aware of the video and the resulting vitriol that Eve has been subjected to, despite being the victim of several crimes perpetrated against her.” Anson’s eyes flashed. “What has been going on, what’s been happening to Eve, is unfair, absolutely one hundred percent unfair. It’s unfair that people are holding her liable. She was violated, she was lied to, and still, she’s the one people are going after.”

A muscle in Anson’s jaw jumped. “I won’t be one of those people. I’m not going to blame the victim. I love Eve Driskill. I’ve been told by some that if I stand by her, my political career is over. Well, if that’s the case, so be it. I will not be the kind of politician who puts his career above doing the right thing. I will stand by the woman I love when she’s being treated unfairly, regardless of the cost to myself.”

Off to the side, Miles began to clap, slowly and deliberately. Others quickly joined in.

Eve’s head was reeling when Anson took her arm, and they strolled into the hotel.

Scents of autumn filled the ballroom of the Brown Palace along with elegant decorations that evoked the feel of the season. The planners had gone with an ivory-and-gold theme with splashes of rustic red, burnt orange and vibrant yellow.

Strands of crystal ball lights wove around the pillars and added a romantic glow to the large room.

Tables covered in white linen boasted white velvet pumpkins, gold-striped wire ribbon and pinecones.

Now that they were in the ballroom, Eve relaxed her hold on Anson’s arm. Other than the official photographers and reporters tasked with capturing the evening, no media were allowed inside the ballroom.

“I-I didn’t expect that,” she told Anson.

“You should. You should definitely expect that from the man you love. I love you, Eve. I couldn’t do any less and be a man worthy of you.” He lifted a flute of champagne from the silver tray of a passing waiter and handed it to Eve. “You should also know that I fired Jerome.”

Eve choked on the sip of champagne she’d just taken. “Fired?”

“Our values don’t align. I meant every word I said to that reporter, Eve.” Anson brushed the knuckles of one hand lightly against her cheek. “If people don’t vote for me because the privacy of the woman I love was violated by a former boyfriend, then I’m not the man to represent them.”

“Anson.” It was all she could get out, as her heart had risen to clog her throat.

“Let’s dance.” Anson took her flute and set it down, then closed his hand around hers.

The hardwood floor was already filled with men and women of all ages enjoying the romantic set. Anson waltzed her onto the dance floor in a well-practiced move.

He nodded approvingly. “Yes, we definitely have to have a band at our wedding reception.”

Eve stumbled, but his firm hold kept her upright. “W-wedding reception?”

“Sorry, got a little ahead of myself there.” He brushed her lips with his. “That’s a discussion for another night.”

Eve laughed. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Love me,” he said promptly, those intense green eyes firmly fixed on hers. “Love me and trust that I’ll always be by your side, supporting, defending and loving you.”

EPILOGUE

Miles smiled at the sight of Eve’s head resting on Anson’s chest. He’d always been a sucker for a happy ending, and he had a feeling Eve and Anson were well on their way to one.

He glanced around the crowded ballroom. As the evening had progressed, the walls had started closing in on him. He’d made sure his parents and grandparents had seen that he’d shown up as promised. The only sibling he hadn’t spoken with tonight was Nyla.

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