Page 47 of Always Right

I wasn’t going to fight.

Not anymore.

He said something to Lisa then moved forward, walking toward me with determination. I squirmed through the crowd, dodging people left and right just to get to him. His green eyes took my breath away as they roamed my body, lingering a little too long on my exposed leg then back to my face.

He hadn’t spoken, but his emerald eyes said everything his mouth didn’t.

“I had to buy a dress,” I whispered, running my hands over my arms. He reached up, moving my long hair off my shoulders, leaving a trail of goosebumps at his touch. “Nothing fits anymore and well...I had to buy shoes to match. And then I stared at myself in the mirror wondering if this was too much or too little...but I’m here.”

I don’t want you touch me again.

The words were loud in the back of my head, and they tore me apart. It was the biggest lie I’d said, and I hoped he could forget them, because that’s all I needed in that moment.

“You’re perfect,” he whispered. He took my hand in his, bringing it to his lips and pressing a kiss to the back of it, as if nothing had ever happened between us. “Hell...perfect doesn’t even begin to describe you.”

I let out a breathless laugh, entranced by his words, his eyes, the feel of his touch. He meant every single word he said—he saw me as beautiful, as perfect even though I was far from it.

Feeling bold, I took his tie in my hand, watching his eyes darken with the action, savoring it. He didn’t even need to tell me what he was thinking for me to feel it. “I always did like you in a tie.”

With our fingers intertwined, Derek guided me through the crowd.

He greeted everyone with a smile, at ease and in control until we found Evie who sat with Nathan at a table. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she jumped to her feet, hugging me.

“I’m so happy you’re here! Oh my God...I can’t believe it. And you look stunning.”

“Doesn’t she?” Derek shot me an elated look.

It made my heart soar.

No matter how much I tried to clip its wings, it took flight, landing right in his hands. Derek held my heart in his hands, and I just hoped...I prayed, he would take care of it. It was too fragile and easily broken...and I wasn’t sure I would be able to withstand heartbreak again.

“I’m glad you came.” Lisa’s voice came from behind us. There was relief in her face. “You showed up just in time for the speech.”

Evie squealed, taking a long drink of wine before setting it back down on the table. “Let’s go!”

Derek leaned in, pressing a small kiss on the top of my head. “Stay here. Don’t leave.”

He walked away with Evie and I stayed with Nathan, both of us sitting in silence as Evie began the introductions. She made the crowd laugh like only she could—with her clumsiness and likeability while Nathan watched on with pride and love. It was a beautiful sight, to see the love pouring out of his eyes as she spoke. A few minutes later, Derek walked up to the stage with Lisa by his side. He cleared his throat as he took the microphone, his shoulders tense until he found me in the crowd once again.

“Thanks for sharing your time and being with us for the opening of L’Etoile. If I haven’t already done it in person, I wanted to thank each and every one of you. Lisa and I appreciate the support you’ve given us since we started this journey. If you are here, you have helped change the lives of many different members in our community. From those of us who have battled addiction and homelessness, to those who have simply landed in a rough spot, your sponsorships give us the opportunity to help them back on their feet.”

He paused as the crowd clapped and Lisa offered him an encouraging nod. Even with his nerves, Derek knew exactly what to say.

“If you are here, you know that I’ve had my own struggles. Lisa has helped me time and time again, and I am sure this restaurant will be a success as she leads it. My family—Evelyn and Nathan—thanks for being there for me whenever I need it. And Hannah,” I tensed as he said my name, my gaze flickering from Nathan to Derek. “There are many things I could say about you. Thank you for giving me the biggest reason to stay sober...for allowing me back into your life. More than anything, Hannah, thank you for being exactly who you are.”

I didn't hear anything else he said, a rush of adrenaline swarming my body at his words. Before I knew it, the soft sound of jazz music filled the restaurant. Nathan stood up, extending his hand to Evie, silently asking her to dance with him which of course, she accepted.

I drummed my fingers on the table, unable to meet Derek’s gaze as he approached, unsure of what I would find in his eyes. That was until he reached down, tilting my chin up and forcing me to see him. He nodded toward the dance floor where several couples already moved to the soft rhythm of the music, his silent request making me falter.

“What?” I asked, barely able to get the word out.

“Let’s dance.”

My smile wavered as I rose to my feet, hoping I wouldn’t fall face first by accepting his request because with us, a dance was never just a dance. A touch was never just a touch.

He brought my hand to his shoulders and his rested on my waist, just enough that he could touch the exposed skin of my back, sending a shiver down my spine. The scent of his cologne and everything that came with him surrounded me. I could feel him looking at me...hard. Really looking at me, through me, trying to read me as if he didn’t already know everything about me. My guard was down, I realized, and this time there would be nothing stopping me from falling into him...nothing to stop my heart from staying with his. The voice in my head that kept me from taking the leap had been effectively silenced.

“You’re the addiction I don’t want to give up.” I blinked, finally meeting his eyes when he spoke.

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