Page 38 of I Wanna Dance

“You sure?” I looked down at the tailored charcoal suit. “I feel under-dressed.” I waved a hand at the breathtaking ballroom, which was a shimmering spectacle of elegance and grandeur with chandeliers hung high above and everything gaudy and ornate on display.

We stopped to say hello to a prosecutor Leah knew who teased her for winning a case against him when she worked at a law firm after her divorce. As we talked to people, I saw what she didn’t. Professionally, she was well respected and liked as a colleague and person.

I picked up a glass of champagne from a server who was weaving expertly through the crowd for Leah and me.

Since I knew she hadn’t eaten much during the day, I snapped up some of the hors d'oeuvres that servers brought around.

We met Alana and her girlfriend who we would be sitting with. I’d met Leah’s paralegal a couple of times now and liked her very much.

“Look at you, Mr. Cabrera, you clean up nice.” Alana wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

“Well, when I’m with the most beautiful woman in this ballroom, I have to kick it up a notch, or they’ll wonder what she’s doing with a loser like me.” I had an arm around Leah and felt her tense. She wasn’t used to people complimenting her, and she didn’t entirely trust it.

“Should we…ah…sit?” she stammered.

“You okay?” I asked, my voice low enough that only she could hear.

The smile she gave me was soft, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m more than okay.” She adjusted the strap of her dress. “I just…I don’t know how to feel. I’ve been avoiding events like this.”

She’d told me it was because, in the beginning, people had looked at her with pity and undisguised malicious delight that she’d had to leave her big, beautiful house and wealthy husband to work for a living since said wealthy husband had screwed her in the divorce. After a couple of years, she’d felt uncomfortable coming alone when everyone else, especially Kevin, would have a date.

This time, Alana had insisted Leah attend because she was on the shortlist to win an award. When she asked me, she did so casually, as if she’d be okay if I turned her down.

“You could win an award? Hell, yeah, I’ll be there.”

“I probably won’t win…definitelywon’t. Don’t get your hopes up.”

I took her hand and led her to our table. As we took our seats, I saw her scanning the room, nodding at familiar faces. Colleagues, judges, and attorneys clearly recognized her. Some smiled warmly, others with a hint of respect that I didn’t think had always been there, but as she’d built herself up, people had noticed. I was fucking proud of her and wished she’d feel the same, give herself credit for what she’d achieved.

“You’re going to be bored,” she warned me.

“I’m never bored when I’m with you.”

She looked at me, her eyes shining with surprise and awe. “You…the things you say….”

During dinner, she seemed almost at ease, but when the awards ceremony began after dessert was served, she tensed up again.

Awards were handed out for Best Trial Lawyer, Rising Star in Criminal Law, and Outstanding Advocate for Civil Rights. Each recipient stepped onto the stage to polite applause, gave a quick thank you, and stepped away after the requisite photos were taken.

“And now,” the emcee announced, her smile widening, “we present the award for Atlanta’s Divorce Lawyer of the Year. This honor goes to someone who has not only excelled in their field but has shown incredible dedication to their clients and a passion for advocating for fairness and dignity during some of life’s hardest moments. This year’s winner is...Leah Stahl!”

The room erupted into applause, and I immediately turned to Leah, my hands already clapping. She sat frozen.

“Leah.” I nudged her gently. “Go.”

She blinked, coming back to herself, and stood, smoothing the fabric of her dress. The crowd’s applause swelled as shemade her way to the stage, her head held high despite the shock I knew she was masking.

I didn’t take my eyes off her, not for a second. She deserved this—every clap, every cheer, every moment of recognition. And as she began her acceptance speech, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride.

This was Leah. Strong. Resilient.Mine.

CHAPTER 19

Leah

For a moment, I froze. The applause erupted around me, but all I could hear was the pounding of my heart. Marco was the first to react, squeezing my hand and grinning at me like I’d just won an Olympic medal.

“Leah,” he said, his voice low but insistent. “Go.”

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