Page 16 of Unwrapped

I laugh, the sound coming out more nervous than I intended, but Tessa just squeezes my hand and leads me toward the door.

“I might need some champagne to make that magic happen.”

As we step out into the cold night, my heart races with a mixture of nerves and anticipation. I tell myself that this is just another step toward our future, but I can’t shake the feeling that tonight might be more than that. That maybe, just maybe, it’s a chance for a new beginning. For the bakery, for us… and for me.

“Hey,”Tessa says, grabbing my hand as we ride the elevator to the top floor of the high-rise building. “Let this night be fun. I know we want to network but we also know that we can do this, even without the Mercer brothers’ connections.”

“You think so?” I ask, suddenly so nervous my stomach feels like it’s in my throat.

“Are you kidding me?” She laughs, adjusting her dress and pressing her tits up so her cleavage is more prominent. “Please.” She scoffs with that confidence I envy so much. “If boys can be successful in business, how hard can it be?”

The elevator doors glide open, and I step out into the glittering lobby of the Mercer high-rise. Everything is bathed in the soft glow of twinkling lights, gold and silver decorations draped over every surface.

Giant crystal snowflakes hang from the ceiling, spinning slowly, while festive garlands snake around the pillars and a tree that’s at least twelve feet tall stands in the center of the room. The scent of pine mingles with the faint, sophisticated aroma of hors d’oeuvres. The noise of laughter and clinking glasses washes over me, and my nerves flare up again, tightening my chest.

I smooth my hand over my dress, trying to ignore the way my stomach flips as I take in the crowd of elegantly dressed people. At least my fear of being overdressed is no longer a concern. Theluxury dresses and custom tuxes make me feel like I’m crashing a party I was never invited to. Tessa, of course, looks like she belongs here, her shimmering silver dress catching the light as she strides confidently beside me.

“Wow, this is… something,” I murmur, glancing around at the lavish decorations and the sleek, high-ceilinged space, trying not to feel like a complete fish out of water.

“It’s a lot, but you’re going to be fine,” Tessa whispers back, looping her arm through mine and giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. “Come on, let’s find Asher and Zane. Remember, we’re here for business, Ivy.” She gives me a wink. “Just talk business; you’re confident as hell in our plan.”

“Right.” I nod, but my voice comes out weaker than I’d like. Tessa leads us into the thick of the party, weaving through the clusters of guests. I try to steady my breathing, but the second my eyes land on Asher across the room, my mind goes blank.

He’s standing near the bar, surrounded by a group of well-dressed guests, all of them laughing at something he just said. He looks like he’s stepped out of a holiday magazine—black suit, perfectly tailored, his hair neatly combed but with just a hint of the boyish tousle that made him so effortlessly charming back in high school. There’s a warmth in his smile as he chats with his guests, but when his gaze shifts and locks on mine, something changes in his expression. It’s as if a spark jumps between us, and for a moment, I feel like he’s seeing me—not just the quiet girl from high school, but the woman standing before him now.

Asher’s smile falters, then transforms into something more genuine, less polished. He says something to the people around him, excusing himself from the conversation, and starts making his way through the crowd toward us. My breath catches in my throat as he draws closer, his eyes never leaving mine.

Tessa’s grip on my arm tightens, and she leans in, whispering playfully, “Breathe, Ivy. You’ve got this.”

But I don’t feel like I have this at all. My heart is hammering in my chest, each beat echoing in my ears. Tessa gives me one last encouraging smile before Asher reaches us, and then she releases my arm, letting me stand on my own.

“Ivy, Tessa, you made it.” Asher’s smile is wide, but there’s something else in his eyes as he looks at me—something curious, maybe even a little nervous. His gaze lingers, sweeping over my breasts before meeting my eyes again. I feel heat rising to my cheeks when his eyes darken and drop back down to my breasts, lingering long enough to not just be a casual glimpse.

“We wouldn’t miss it,” Tessa says, her voice light and teasing, “especially not with such great company.” She nudges me subtly, a gesture that’s far from subtle.

Asher’s eyes stay on me, his smile softening. “It’s good to see you here, Ivy. You look…” He clears his throat. “Fucking incredible.”

I let out a small, nervous laugh, trying to deflect the compliment. “Thank you.”

“Sorry, I just…that was unprofessional but, shit.” He gestures toward me. “Yeah, I stand by it; you look fucking incredible.”

I laugh nervously. My stomach does about sixteen backflips and I’m confident my face is a record setting shade of red. “I think I might be a little underdressed compared to everyone else,” I say, gesturing around at the sea of black-tie attire.

His gaze doesn’t follow my hand movement, remaining focused on me. He leans in slightly, his voice dropping just enough that only I can hear him. “Trust me, nobody is noticing a fucking thing except you in that dress.”

His words send a shiver through me, the low tenor of his voice pulling me in. Instead of wanting to disappear into the ground beneath his intense gaze, I feel the desire to lean in a touch closer, my body swaying just an inch.

For a moment, the noise of the party fades into the background, and it’s just the two of us, standing there in the glow of the Christmas lights, the air between us buzzing with something I can’t quite name.

Tessa clears her throat dramatically, and I snap back to the present, taking a step back. “Oh my God. Sorry. Asher, you remember Tessa?” In my excitement to see him again, I completely forgot that they haven’t seen each other or even spoken yet.

“Excuse me.” He extends his hand toward her. “That was rude of me. Tessa, so great to see you again. I was just admiring Ivy’s dress.”

“I know right? A total smoke show and to think she almost didn’t wear it,” she laughs, flashing me a quickI told you solook “And it’s great to see you too.” She shakes his hand confidently. “Thanks again for inviting us and for talking about our business plan.”

“Of course I’m so happy you two could make it. I had a great conversation with Ivy, I’m sure she told you about it when she got back, sorry I kept her so long. I think we talked for what—three hours?” He asks, looking over at me.

“Um yeah,” I blush, Tessa’s brow lifting slowly when he reveals just how long I was at his office, a little detail I may have left out when we reconvened later that day. His eyes shoot back to me and that nervous smile I can’t seem to hide slides back into place. It’s like there’s a little hidden secret being exchanged between us.

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