Page 85 of One Last Wish

Chapter Twenty Four

The ball was turningout to be everything I dreamt of. Draping the last bits of fabric onto the tables with Daisy and Theo, we admired our work.

“We should get ready,” Daisy stated. “The author will be here in thirty minutes.” It didn’t leave me much time.

Darce had popped out to get something. His outfit, I imagined. I started to wonder if I would recognize his attire from my dreams.

Rushing downstairs, I went to the ladies’ restroom to get ready. I’d done most of the foundation work of my makeup this morning, but I added a little more detail to my eyes and cheeks before finishing with a light pink lipstick. I tied a few strands of my hair at the back of my head and added a delicate, sparkling clip to my hair. Once I had slipped into my dress, I called Daisy to help me do the back up.

“Alora, you look stunning!” Daisy beamed. “Alice, doesn’t she look beautiful?”

“Yeah, you scrub up pretty well,” Alice half smiled. Daisy was in a Belle fromBeauty and the Beastinspired gown, while Alice had gone for a more sophisticated, midnight blue dress.

“Ned, Theo and Darce are lucky sons of bitches,” Daisy giggled, clapping her hands. “I’ll see you out there, Alora. Are you coming, Alice?” Darce must have returned, judging by Daisy's excited face. She and Alice were blocking my view of him.

Once they began to make their way upstairs, my eyes found him. He was in the most beautiful, tailored black tunic with gold trim detail, and black trousers. He had chosen the same colours as my dress!

“I’m guessing your outfit might be original?” I mused, watching him drink me in.

“Alora, you...that dress.... how?”

“You’ve seen me in something like this before?” Darce nodded, stalking towards me. I’d never dreamt of wearing a dress similar to this before. Perhaps my subconscious had been talking to me. My breath caught as he sank to his knees in front of me. “Darce, we can’t. I need to greet the author in five minutes.”

“I’m aware of that. I’m simply helping you into your heels.” Oh, shit!Yeah, shoes would be helpful.“Judging by the blush on your cheeks, I can offer a guess as to what you thought I was about to do.” I felt the heat rise to my face at his comment. “The thought did cross my mind. No one should be allowed to look this beautiful.” His hands caressed my ankles while he helped me slide into my heels, fastening each one in turn. When he rose, his eyes were hooded with desire. “I’ll try my best to keep my hands off you at the ball.” His voice was hoarse as he pecked my lips.

Evelyn was waiting with a few of her friends when I made my way upstairs. Darce had gone to help Theo and Malcolm. The author of the hour was due to arrive any minute.

“This place looks incredible. So do you.” Evelyn hugged me tightly. She was a vision tonight in her deep red ballgown.

“I hope you get to have a little fun and enjoy the evening at some point.”

“Once the signing is out of the way, I might get afewdances with Darce,” I winked. “Now go and have some fun. Make sure you get some canapes before they’re all gone.”

Suddenly, there was a lot of commotion around the main door, and something told me the author had arrived. Straightening my dress, I took a deep breath.

If I was honest with myself, I had used this ball to distract myself from what was happening in my life. Having to face the truth about what and who I truly was, was difficult to wrap my head around.

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THE SIGNING WENT EFFORTLESSLY. The author had never been to a book signing quite like it, and praised all our hard work. Once everyone's book was autographed, the dance began. Now was the best time to encourage people up to the fantasy section to buy their next read. With a bit of luck, the rest of the Bookends staff and I would get to enjoy ourselves during the second half of the ball. Every time I looked over at Darce, he was gazing at me, his eyes wide with wonder. How could he break me down with just a look? If he carried on with the sultry glances, I was sure I’d combust.

“Darce is seriously in love with you,” Daisy sighed, watching the interaction between us. “You two make the cutest couple.”

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