Page 67 of Scoring with my Bestie's Ex

That’s all there is to it for me.

“It’s the right thing to do,” I add.

Something shifts in her gaze. We come to a stop as I study her, trying to decipher the change I’ve just seen.

Her shoulders relax, and her smile grows softer.

“It’s the right thing to do,” she murmurs. “And you want to help others.”

I’m not sure how to answer. Yes, that’s the exact truth. So why is she looking at me as though she’s seeing me clearly for the first time?

Her hands move from my shoulders. At first, I don’t understand why, but then I realize the song has ended.

Bella still smiles, looking at me as though I’m brand-new and she likes what she sees.

“I should go,” she whispers. “Imogen is going to be stressed out.”

She starts to turn, and I grab her hand. “Wait.”

“I really should go,” Bella says.

“I know. There’s just one thing I want to do first,” I tell her.

Quickly, I spin on my heel and weave through the crowd toward the DJ.

My heart slams into my ribs, but I grin as I jump onto the stage.

Grand gesture, here I come.

The DJ gives me a quizzical look.

“I need to make a speech,” I say, reaching for the microphone.

He cuts the music, and I quickly step to the edge of the stage.

“Good evening, everyone,” I say. My voice echoes back. “I don’t have a lot of time so I’m going to make this quick. All of you have helped me do something special tonight. It would take too much time to thank everyone individually, so I’m going to focus on one very special person.”

I take a deep breath.

"Her name is Bella. She is an incredible, beautiful woman, inside and out. Despite her own busy schedule, she supported me with this event in ways she may not even realize. She was my inspiration, the person I thought of with every step. When we were at Castleton, we attended a barn dance. We agreed that I would dance with three women, even though I only wanted to dance with her, and she would meet three new people. But due to a misstep on my part, she left the dance too soon. So I wanted to give her a makeup dance. This is my first attempt. Next time, I’ll be hosting a dance to fundraise for another worthy cause, namely, a scholarship for underprivileged kids who want to get into fashion school. And this time, the only woman I will agree to dance with is my lovely Bella. Here’s to figuring things out together, one dance at a time."

The crowd starts to cheer.

Bella covers her mouth with her hands, her eyes glimmering with unshed tears.

My heart is full for her.

"Thank you all once again for coming," I say. "Unfortunately, I have to miss the rest of the event tonight. I have a special design show for a promising new designer to attend."

I put the mic back and hop from the stage.

As the music starts to play again, I make my way to Bella and grab her hand.

“Come on, Cinderella,” I say to her. “This time the prince is running away with you.”

Chapter twenty-five

Bella

---