Page 21 of Until His Girl

I take her hand and lead her downstairs, scanning the crowd. Fiona is standing next to a pillar by the bar, holding a glass of champagne. Beside her is a tall, dark-haired man in a well-tailored suit. Probably Wes.

Eliza tenses as she spots them, fingers clenching around mine.

I give her hand a squeeze. “Relax. I’m here with you.”

As we approach the two of them, Eliza clears her throat. “Fiona, Wes, I’d like you to meet my…boyfriend, Drew.”

“Boyfriend?” Fiona’s eyes widen, champagne sloshing over the rim of her glass. Wes grabs her elbow, his glare sharpening.

I incline my head. “Nice to meet you both.”

“Eliza, seriously?” Fiona snaps as her eyes flit back and forth between her sister and me. “Please tell me you’re joking right now.”

I decide to nip this in the bud. No point dragging things out. “Look, Fiona. I understand there’s been tension between our families in the past. But Eliza and I hoped that might change.”

Eliza shoots me a startled look, color draining from her face. I give her hand another quick squeeze. Trust me, I want to say.

“Is that so?” Wes snorts. “Funny, that’s not what we heard.”

Fiona hushes him with a sharp look. To me, she says, “Go on.” Cautious interest in her tone.

“I’ve been discussing a possible partnership with my brothers. A collaboration that could benefit both our companies, and the town.” I shrug, aiming for nonchalance. “But that’s still in early talks. I mainly wanted to extend an olive branch, for Eliza’s sake.”

A heavy silence. Fiona and Wes exchange a loaded glance, years of unspoken communication in their eyes. Finally, Fiona nods, slow but decisive.

“We’d be open to discussing this further.” She fixes me with a piercing look. “But if you hurt her, all bets are off.”

“Duly noted.” I glance at Eliza, whose eyes shine with relief and gratitude. She believes in me, as I do in her. “Shall we continue this over dinner next week?”

Another loaded glance, but this time Wes nods as well. “Next week would work.” His tone is grudging, but it’s progress.

The bell chimes again, signaling the end of intermission. I smile, my pulse quickening with victory. “Excellent. It’s a date.”

Tonight went even better than I hoped. And after this, the Parkers will have a harder time keeping Eliza and me apart.

I turn to Eliza, offering my arm. “Shall we head back to our seats, baby?”

She beams up at me. “Of course.” She loops her arm through mine, and I lead her back upstairs toward the private box, warmth blooming in my chest.

Despite her family’s objections, Eliza chose me. And after tonight, I’m confident they’ll come around in time. For now, though, I have her all to myself.

We resume our seats in the plush velvet chairs as the lights dim once more. But as the orchestra launches into a dramatic swell of music, I find my focus wandering.

Eliza sits curled against my side. She came into my life like a burst of sunlight, waking me from the solitude and cynicism that had become my norm. Now, I can’t fathom going back to the bleak half-life I lived before.

I bend to murmur in her ear, “I meant what I said, you know. About us facing things together.”

She raises her face to mine, eyes glowing. “I know. Just as I meant it when I said I love you too.”

A fierce surge of possessiveness rises in me.

Cupping the back of her neck, I bring her mouth to mine in a searing kiss. The music swells again, but I no longer hear it. In this moment, nothing else exists but the two of us.

When we break apart, chests heaving, Eliza searches my face with wondering eyes. “What was that for?”

“Because I love you. Because you’re mine.” I kiss her again. “And I wanted everyone to know it.”

A flush stains her cheeks, but her lips curve into a smile. She kisses me back, soft and sweet. “They already do. I’m yours, Drew, now and always.”

Always. The word resonates within me, an unbreakable promise.

Tonight changed everything. And this is only the beginning.

The End

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