Page 54 of The Man I Once Hated

He holds up his hand, shaking his head. “It isn’t. I was wrong to over-react that way, and I know this is a great opportunity for you.”

“You do?” I’m stunned by the sudden change of heart. My honest expectation was that he’d try and throw money at the problem so he could get his way. Probably come up with some outlandish wager or something…

Edward nods and lifts his hand to my face, cupping my cheek gently. “I wanted to ask if you’d consider… being my girlfriend. Exclusively.”

I blink up at him, my heart swelling in my chest and my brain losing all sense of coherent thought.

“That means we’ll be dating each other and no-one else,” he clarifies with a light chuckle.

It’s enough to break through my dreamlike haze and I laugh too. “I know what it means, Edward, I’m just surprised. I didn’t think-”

“My whole life I’ve been waiting for someone like you, Cara,” he cuts me off, bringing his face close to mine. “Someone who’ll make me feel like there’s nobody else out there for me.”

This feels like a continuation of my dream state, but I can tell by the feel of him that it’s very real. Tears well up in my eyes but I blink them away quickly and throw my arms around his neck. His lips meet mine in a soft but purposeful kiss, filled with a passionate promise that we both make in the moment. A promise to belong to each other, exclusively.

“Is that a yes?” Edward breaks the kiss, his smile ghosting on my lips.

A delighted laugh spills out of me. “Yes, Edward. It’s definitely a yes.”

24

Edward

I’ve never walked down a red carpet feeling this proud. I gaze down at Cara on my arm, breathtakingly beautiful in a floor-length blue Valentino gown that’s been custom-made. The paparazzi are having a field day, especially since this appearance comes hot on the heels of the very public calling off of my fake engagement.

“I’ve gone blank,” Cara whispers through a tight smile as we pose for more photos. “What am I supposed to say?”

I pat her hand comfortingly. “Just follow my lead. You’ll be fine.”

Fortunately, we only get stopped once for an interview before we get to make it into the safety of the dining hall. It’s decked out to the nines, and everyone who’s anyone is in attendance. I lead Cara in, feeling like I’m walking on a cloud. Not even the fact that we’re seated at my father’s table can spoil my mood.

“So this is an annual thing?” she asks as we weave our way between tables.

“My family sponsors a table every year,” I reply. “And yes, we attend to make a good show for the charity. Sorry.”

She hides her laughter behind a hand and nudges me in the ribs. “Don’t do that. I’m sure nothing can be worse than the last dinner we had with them.”

“I wouldn’t count on it,” I whisper as we draw up to my family’s table. “But I think we can handle him as a team, don’t you?”

Cara winks at me just as my mother rises from her seat and comes to greet us.

“You look lovely, Cara, darling.” She embraces her warmly then stands back to admire her gown. “Valentino?”

Cara nods then smiles at me. “I’ve never worn anything that’s been made especially for me before.”

Surprisingly, there’s no comment from my father, who simply nods as we take our seats.

“Gram, Father,” I greet them.

“You two make a handsome couple,” Gram says. Then she tugs my mother’s arm and adds, “Get a picture of them, won’t you? This look is a winner.”

My grandmother’s approval, after everything else, makes my heart soar. I hug Cara close as we pose for my mother. She fiddles with her phone, stabbing the screen a few times but nothing happens.

“Gosh, darn it, these things never work when you need them to,” she mutters.

“Just press the big round button on the bottom,” I instruct through my toothy smile that’s beginning to quiver.

Cara snorts beside me, already losing her composure once Gram gets in on it. She leans over my mother’s shoulder and tries to direct her, but it’s the blind leading the blind.

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