Page 6 of Cupid Loves Curves

“That sounds…unusual. Is she just using you as a date or is there something developing between you two?”

I smile. My grandmother has always been direct and never one to mince words. A memory of how Bernadette was a compelling mixture of confident and vulnerable rises up, and an unfamiliar nervousness rises up in me. I know she had to feel the same spark I did.

“It will if I have anything to say about it. And before you tell me that it’s her decision, too, I know it is. I would never force a woman into anything. You know that.”

“I do, my dear grandson, I do. In any case, I’m going to want to meet this young lady when I’m back, to see who’s captured your attentions and to thank her profusely for bringing a part of dear Oren back to me. It’s going to be a hard Valentine’s Day without him,” she says, her voice catching. Outwardly, she has a strong façade, but I know how heartbroken she is to be alone. Their commitment and love are what I’ve always wanted for myself, and marriage is something I take seriously.

“I’ll also have another surprise for you, but you have to wait until you’re home for that.”

“Lance,” she says, the warning clear in her voice. “You know I don’t like surprises.”

“Trust me, you’ll like this one. It’ll be a gift from me.”

“Well, that sounds good. Though of course you know it’s unnecessary. What? Just a moment, Lance, Greta is trying to get my attention.” Grandma covers her phone, her voice muffled. “Lance, darling, I’m afraid I must end our call. Greta needs me. I’ll be home next week and I expect a full report on this lady friend of yours.”

“Of course, grandma. I love you.”

What special thingcan I do, for Bernadette, to help her feel more confident at the awards ceremony? This isn’t going to be a normal date.

Then, the perfect idea springs to mind. Bernadette is going to love it.

CHAPTER 5

BERNADETTE

What in the world did I get myself into? I glance in my mirror for probably the hundredth time. When Lance agreed to be my date for the party, I nearly fainted. Part of me thinks that he’s going to stand me up, but then I remember the way that he looked at me, that night we met. He looked at me in a way that no man ever has.

The buzzer for my apartment startles me, releasing a million butterflies in my stomach. Grabbing my purse, I quickly answer the buzzer, and then head downstairs to meet him.

When I see him through the glass door to my building, I freeze. He’s standing there in a form-fitting dark suit, with a crisp white shirt, and a dark tie. The suit can barely contain his tall, muscular body. I have never seen a man so handsome and so confident, and my knees nearly buckle as I walk toward him. Having him with me tonight is going to give me the boost of confidence that I need. Even if I don’t win the award, I’m going to feel like I fit in for the first time ever.

“Bernadette.” Lance looks at me with awe in his eyes. He rubs his hand over his eyes, like he’s trying to check if he’s dreaming, andwhen he finishes and looks at me, he grins. It’s like he’s never seen a woman before. “You look stunning.”

“Thanks. You look pretty dashing in that suit.”

He opens the car door for me, waiting until I’m incompletely and until then verify that my dress isn’t going to get caught in the door. Lance is the kind of man that I dreamed about, forever. He’s kind and funny, he loves his family, and there’s just that special spark when we’re together. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that he’s hot as fucking hell. I keep expecting to wake up from a dream, but this is real.

“And who is this here?”I freeze at the sound of Alicia’s voice and I plaster a fake smile on my face. She’s the snarkiest, most overbearing person in the office and there is no world that we would ever be friends.

Without missing a beat, Lance wraps his arm over my shoulders and pulls me close to him, making me feel safe. I catch a hint of his spicy cologne and I gasp at how good he smells.I could definitely get used to this.

“Lance Clayton. And you are?” There’s a crispness to his voice that I haven’t heard before. It’s like he understands exactly how I feel about this woman.

Alicia introduces herself and preens in front of him, as if I wasn’t standing right here. Of course, she’s skinny and popular, and Lance is the kind of guy that any of the women in the office would drool over. But for tonight at least, he’s mine.

“If you’d like to know more, I’d beenthusiasticallyhappy to meet withyouand show you more.”

I roll my eyes, though she’s staring at Lance so hard that she might bore a hole into him. Thankfully, Lance smiles and holds me even tighter.

“That’s generous of you to offer, but no thank you. I’m not letting Bernadette here out of my sight tonight. She’s a very special woman.”

A startled look appears on Alicia’s face. She’s not the kind of woman that men say no to and the way her forehead creases, she’s clearly not pleased at Lance’s response.

“Well if youhappento change your mind…” Alicia whispers, tucking her business card in the chest pocket of his jacket. “My number is on the back.”

Lance is silent as we watch her walk away. Even though I know full well that it’s bad karma, I can’t help but savor the pride that wells up in me that Lance has shut her out, because of me. Me!

“Is she always like that?” Lance asks, turning to me after she’s several feet away.

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