Page 2 of Risking it All

Her grip stayed firm as she nodded. “I get that. The first time I wore something like this, I felt the same. If you change your mind, we can always find you a new outfit for the party, but I really think you should wear this. Consider it your Cinderella moment. Go to the party, have a good time, and then come home to go back to your comfy clothes. There’s no rule saying this has to be some big turning point in your life. Just try it this one time.”

Somehow that, above anything else, eased my nerves.

She was right; I wouldn’t be going out and wearing things like this all the time, and there was nothing wrong with doing this just once, right?

Steeling myself, I nodded. “I think I’m going to wear it. Thanks for your help, Alice.”

She grinned, giving one more squeeze before stepping back. “Of course, what are best friends for? I wish I could be there to see everyone’s faces, though. Stupid work, it always has the worst timing.”

I smiled, gathering the crossbody purse that held my things. “I’m sure someone will get pictures. You know how this town is.”

She hummed, losing her frown. “True, so say hi to Kimberley for me while you’re there, and have a good time!”

I breezed out the door, waving at her once I was safely in my car. My stomach writhed with anxiety, but I forced it down, taking deep breaths as I started the engine.

One way or another, I felt that something was going to change today. I could only hope it’d be a change in my favor.

Chapter 2

The second I walked through the front door, everything went quiet. I expected it, but the silence still sent my already spiraling nerves into a tizzy.

Dozens of eyes were glued to me as I caught Kimberley’s gaze from across the room, approval warmed it, and I offered a weak but genuine smile. As I walked through the room, saying quick hellos to everyone, I started to relax a bit.

I’d done it, I was here and now if I could just find-.

“Bea?”

And there was William, looking amazing as always in his jeans and button-up. Short dark hair was brushed back, only highlighting the surprise widening his eyes.

His jaw was all but on the floor and he stared at me as if he were seeing me for the first time, just like I’d wanted. That didn’t stop a flush from burning over my cheeks at the way he couldn’t seem to look away.

This was what I wanted, and when Kimberley shot me a thumbs up over his shoulder, all I could do was smile at her.

Mission accomplished; now to see it through.

Closing the distance between William and me, my heels making soft clicking noises on the wood floors, I stopped a few feet away from him and smiled.

“It’s good to see you. I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to properly say hi since you’ve been back in town. Things have been busy with my clinic.”

He swallowed, finally dragging his eyes back to mine as he shook his head. “It’s fine. Alice mentioned that you were working as hard as ever.”

His tone was strained, as if there was more that he wanted to say but wasn’t sure how to word it, and when he didn’t continue after a minute, I spoke.

“Your sister has been a huge help, as always. But she’s been encouraging me to come out and be more social outside of work. I wish she was able to come tonight, but she still made time to help me get ready. She actually chose my dress.” I ran a hand down the fabric, loving the silky slide, and he let out a low, choked noise I didn’t have a name for. Something explosive lit behind his eyes, and he swallowed again.

“It looks great. Have you had a chance to try the punch yet?” The subject change was jarring, not at all like his normal smooth self, and I took a second to take him in.

His usually confident stance was off, his weight shifting between his feet, and was it just me, or was that a blush working over his ears?

Probably wishful thinking.

Smiling up at him, I shook my head. “I just got here.” Which he should know since he’d seen me come in a few minutes ago.

The red to his ears grew, and he cleared his throat. “Right, guess I forgot. You should try some, it’s cherry.”

His hand settled on my lower back, the touch shooting off fireworks of sensation as I let him lead me to the table. The quiet from before was broken and I could all but hear the gossips going crazy, but I didn’t spare them a look.

I’d hear everything tomorrow, and I didn’t want to waste a minute of Will staring at me like that.

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