Page 159 of The Re-Proposal

“Nothing. I’m just nervous.” I set a hand on my stomach. “Clarissa the Belle of the Ball. I… I can do that.”

Mimi’s eyes shimmer with pride. “No one will question your place in the room tonight,” she says. “Even if they do, you look like you belong there. Walk with pride. Keep your chin up. It’s not what you wear. It’s how you wear it that matters.”

I blow out a shaky breath. Can I back out of this now or is it too late?

The doorbell rings.

“That must be Cody,” Mimi says, walking to my front door like this is her place.

My head swims and I squeeze my eyes shut.

So far, Cody’s descended into my world and I’ve had the upper hand. Tonight, I’m going into his world. The land of the wolves.

I only hope I don’t get chewed up and spit back out like last time.

18

THE BALCONY

CODY

My jawnearly hits the floor and it stays there, picking up lint and carpet fibers as I escort Clarissa down the hallway.

She looks like Miss America. Or… what’s the bigger one? Miss Universe. Miss Galaxy? Hell if I know.

My brain got scrambled the moment I saw her in that gold-toned creation. She’s a gliding piece of art. A living, breathing temptation. The dress hugs all her curves. The fabric dips into her cleavage, drawing the eye to the supple outline of her assets. And what delectable assets they are.

I can’t stop looking at her.

Which is a problem because I’ve chosen to drive tonight.

Bad, bad idea.

I should be in the backseat, drinking her in. Admiring a beauty so innate, she doesn’t have to try too hard to shine.

But hot damn. Mimi did her thing.

Ris looks insanely beautiful.

The dress is the perfect shade to show off her complexion. The off-the-shoulders sleeves highlights her elegant collarbones. Her hair is in an elaborate braid that crowns her head like a halo, hinting at her true origins. An angel, a heavenly being, descended straight from the sunlight.

Breathe, Cody. Eyes on the road.

This might be a problem. IfIhave trouble keeping my eyes in my head, the sleazy lawyers at tonight’s ceremony won’t stand a chance.

The thought makes my gut twist.

Hatchen was one thing, but I can’t go around flinging my fists at law firm CEOs.

“Does Joel know we’re attending a gala tonight?” Ris asks.

“If you’re asking whether I told him I was attending with you, the answer is yes.”

She scrunches her nose.

I pretend not to notice. Joel needs to put his crush in a coffin, dig a hole and bury it where no one can find the bones. Clarissa is mine and I’m not giving her up or hiding how I feel for her because my loud-mouthed foster son might get his feelings hurt.

“I’ve been curious about this for a while but… where are Joel’s parents?”

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