Page 7 of Cupid Loves Curves

“That’s only the tip of the iceberg. She’s in love with herself and expects everyone else to be, too. We aren’t what you’d call friends.”

“I should hope not!”

At this, the tension breaks and we both laugh loudly. A number of people look toward us and I once again feel proud that he’s my date. I don’t like that it takes me having a date for people to pay attention to me, because more than a few people have actuallynoticed me tonight, but for a night with Lance – even if it’s only tonight – it’s totally worth it.

Lance is the kind of guy that I always fall for – and I already have fallen for him – but the kind of guy who always ends up breaking my heart. Handsome, smart, funny…and doomed to ghost me the moment things start getting serious. But right now? If all I get is a night with him, and then show him how to make lasagna, then I’ll take it.

Lance is more perfect than perfect.

The soundof a knife hitting a glass catches my attention and shushes everyone else in the large hotel dining room.

“If I can have your attention please. It is time for speeches and awards.”

Everyone turns their head toward the front of the banquet hall, where the CEO of our company is standing tall, looking commanding in his perfect tux.

“You got this,” Lance says into my ear. Pleasure races through my body when I feel his breath on my neck. This is so the wrong time to be turned on, but I can’t help it. Everyone has been staring at us all night, clearly surprised that I have a date.

“Thank you,” I say, turning to look at him. Our faces are so close, that I can’t help but sigh in pleasure when he kisses me lightly on the lips. “Oh.”

“That was for luck,” he says, grabbing my hand and holding it tightly. “And this is for you.”

Lance presses a small envelope into my hands, a shy smile on his lips. If I didn’t know better, he looks nervous.

“Open it,” he whispers, his fingers stroking my wrist.

Carefully, I open the envelope and pull out a folded piece of letter.

Dear Bernadette,

You may not admit it, but I know tonight means a lot to you. It means a lot to me, too. I’m not fancy with words like you, but I hope my meaning is clear. I have faith in you. You are a stunning woman and there’s something about you that is more captivating than anything. I want to see you, again and again and again. You are a shining light and I know that you will be recognized for your work.

Yours completely,

Lance

Deep emotion overwhelms me, my hands trembling as I read Lance’s letter, his handwriting unexpectedly clear.

“Thank you.” My voice is unsteady as I look at Lance and place my hand along his jaw. He smiles at me, and I know that I don’t need an award, not if I have him by my side.

I completely lose track of the CEO’s speech, then jump when everyone starts clapping.

“What?”

Paul, the co-worker sitting on my left looks at me and shakes his head. “You just won!”

I look at him, stunned beyond belief, then look around and see everyone staring at me.

“I won?” I look around the room, everything suddenly in slow motion as my brain processes what Paul said. “Oh my God! I won!”

“I told you,” Lance says, standing up and offering me his hand. He pulls me to my feet, then kisses me forcefully, in front of everyone. “Now go get your award.”

CHAPTER 6

LANCE

Bernadette blushes profusely when she accepts her award. When she turns to the audience, there’s a stunned look on her face, but she quickly recovers.

“I… I’m not sure what to say, which is funny considering that I’m a copywriter.” She laughs a little, looking at her crystal statue, then continues. “First of all, thank you to everyone for recognizing the work I did on the Blue Valley Project. Secondly, thank you to my entire team. We worked on this together, and your collaboration is why I’m standing here now. Thank you.”

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