Page 31 of Until

"Because you want to do the right thing, but you also want to help your grandmother. I understand that. And I know I put you in a bad situation. But you need to understand that you can do this and that all of the stuff," he says as he raises his hands and extends his arms out, "none of this matters. This is all stuff, nothing more. What matters are people. What matters is taking care of each other and taking care of your family. And that's why you're doing this." He steps closer to me and his hand cups my face as his eyes hold my gaze. "You belong here just as much as I do. And if you had any doubts about yourself at the ball last month or even tonight, you should push those away. Because without even being there, I know that you will be, far and away, the most fascinating and beautiful woman there. Own that, Carina. In the next room, they’re waiting to dress you and make you up. All they're really doing is adding shine to an already sparkling, flawless diamond."

I can tell he believes everything that he just said. I feel woozy, drunk from his words.

What is happening?

He moves a step closer to me and touches his forehead to mine. With a low growl, he turns and walks back to the window, shoving his hands back into his pockets and staring at the river.

"Go. Get ready for your date. Just remember our agreement. This relationship that you're going to have with him only needs to be as physical as you want it to be. And as for tonight, remember that whatever happens with him at the ball, you’ll be coming home, here, to me.”

I'm sitting in the back of the limo with a midnight blue strapless gown spread out around me. The material is thick silk with silver thread woven throughout, making the dress look like a starry night sky.

Even though I had been through this once before, it still impressed me how easily the trio transformed me from an everyday Carina into a beautiful princess.

I didn't see Alex after our encounter in the library. For a moment, I thought he was going to kiss me. For a moment, I wanted it to happen. I can’t deny that I felt something for him at that moment. Is that why I was so adamant with my grandmother that Alex is a no?

The reality is that he’s helped me so much with my grandmother that between that, his large house, and how he looks at me and talks to me, it’s understandable that something like that would overwhelm and confuse me. But Alex and I don’t have that kind of relationship, and we never will. All that’s between us is, at most, a friendship.

Still, I wonder about him. I wonder what he is really like.

I lower the privacy glass between Reggie and I. Reggie looks up at me through the rearview mirror.

"Do you need anything, miss?” he asks.

"No, thank you, Reggie. I was just wondering if I could ask you a few questions."

"Sure, I'll be happy to help as much as I can."

“I’m wondering about Alex."

Reggie narrows his eyes in the mirror.

“May I ask why?"

"I don't really know. I just don't understand why he's doing this. How could he do something so great as he did with my grandma but then turn around and ask me to break another man's heart?”

Reggie nods slowly. His eyes flick back up at me through the rearview mirror, then back to the road ahead of him.

"Master Alex is a complicated man. He's been through a lot in his time, and I believe that has sometimes made him push people away."

"Does he have anyone? A family? Friends?"

Reggie sighs. "No, nothing of importance except for me and work, of course. He bought that property years ago, and I thought maybe he was considering settling down and starting a family of his own. But now I see he chose it so that he could be as far away from everything and everyone as possible." Reggie takes his hat off and ruffles his silver hair. He sets the hat down on the seat next to him. “Alex hasn't had a very easy life. I think that's why he's isolated himself. He put all of himself into his restaurants—building them up, making them better. There are some that would be nothing without him. I think he started all of this just to keep himself busy and in an effort to forget."

"Wow, that sounds really sad. I wish things were better for him."

"Things are better for him. He seems much happier lately and more carefree. I think it might be because of you."

“Me?"

"As I said, miss, he’s complicated. We’ll be arriving at the ball in just a few minutes. Again, please enjoy yourself. Don't think about any of this stuff or why you’re there. Just be in the moment. Don't forget I will be here at midnight to take you home."

"Home? To my apartment?”

"No, I'm sorry. I mean, I’ll be here to take you to Riverview. I'm sure Alex will be waiting up for you."

The thought of returning to Alex's home and knowing that he would be waiting for me gave me comfort. Whatever happens tonight, whether I have that connection with my prince again or if everything fizzles, I know Alex won’t hold it over my head.

Right now, it’s time for me to live up to the dress, tiara, and mask that I’m wearing.

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