Page 38 of The Runaway Bride and the Billionaire

“When would that be?”

“Next weekend.”

His brows furrowed and I could tell he was mentally checking his calendar. “Sounds good. I’d love to be your date.”

We agreed to meet at the venue as opposed to him picking me up. It would be too awkward for all parties involved if he showed up at the penthouse. After lunch, I said goodbye to Oliver andreturned to the office with my coworkers. They made sure to tease me about him during the entire trip back.

“Is he your date for the gala?” Gwen asked.

I nodded and answered, “Yes.”

“Lucky you. I love me a man in finance.”

“You love all men,” Cleo joked, and we all laughed.

When we got to the office, the group split up into various departments. We took the elevator to different floors while some stayed on the ground floor. When the workday ended, I headed straight home.

Unlike last night, I came home before Matteo today. I was placing his dinner in the fridge when I heard the elevator ding. He was home.

I walked out of the kitchen and paused in the hallway when I saw him. “Hi,” I said, my voice coming out breathless.

“Hi.”

We stared at each other without saying a word. I couldn’t help thinking about him and Ivy. I still couldn’t believe he was taking her to the gala. It annoyed me but I said, “I think it’s great that we’re both going with different people.”

His brows knitted in confusion. “What?”

“To the company gala. You’re going with Ivy and I’m going with Oliver.”

“Oliver?”

“Yes. He’s this great guy that I met last night. He’s my date to the gala,” I said. I searched his face for a reaction but there was none. He simply nodded, his jaw tight, and walked into his room.

I noticed that he didn’t deny it when I referred to Ivy as his date. He really was going to the gala with her. It was a good thing I asked Oliver. I would hate to be there alone while Matteo was with Ivy.

In the days leading up to the gala, Matteo and I continued to follow our routine. He’d drop me off at work and I’d put dinner in the fridge for him whenever I returned before him. Two nights before the gala, he came home before me. I could tell he was home because there was a large package on the couch in the living room. I assumed he’d come home with it.

Matteo walked into the living room as I was looking at the package. “Open it. It’s for you,” he said.

I was surprised by that declaration but I did as he said. Inside the package, I found the most stunning dress I’d ever seen. Growing up with a mother like mine meant I’d seen and worn more beautiful dresses than I could count. But this dress still blew me away.

It was the picture of elegance. The sequin fabric poured out before me as I pulled the dress out of the box. Long sleeves that opened up into a delicate flare at the end. A high slit that would show off my leg and a Queen Anne neckline that would be perfect for a pearl necklace.

As if he could read my thoughts, Matteo handed me a long jewelry box. I was still recovering from the shock of the dress so I was left breathless when I saw the pearl necklace inside the jewelry box.

“This... This is for me?” I asked as I looked at him.

“Yes.”

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

On the night of the gala, I did my hair and makeup before slipping into the dress. Matteo was waiting for me in the living room. We’d agreed to go to the gala together even though we both had dates.

I walked into the living room and Matteo lifted his head to look at me. A soft smile spread across his lips. It was the one he always gave me right before he told me he loved me. “You look beautiful,” he said.

“Thank you. You don’t look half bad either.”

He chuckled as we stepped into the elevator. We drove in silence to the hall where the gala was happening. When we got there, we were forced to go our separate ways. I went in search of Oliver. I found him inside, talking to Cleo.

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