Page 110 of Catching Feelings

By the time he pulls up to the valet, he has me laughing and almost forgetting about seeing Miles with another woman.

“Come on, gorgeous. Let’s knock ‘em dead.” Brock holds out his hand and helps me from the car.

“You mean bust a nut?”

He tips his head back and laughs, which has me smiling as we make our entrance into the ballroom of the Four Aces Casino. The hospital fundraiser is well attended by Boston athletes, business owners, and a few celebrities. Brock ran through the list during our drive over, and while I don’t normally fangirl over the rich and famous, I do feel glamorous—if not out of place—to be in their company.

Crystal chandeliers drip from the ceiling and elaborate floral arrangements are centered on dozens of round tables scattered around a dance floor.

“Champagne?” Brock takes two glasses from a passing waiter and holds a glass for me.

“Thank you.” We clink glasses.

“To an unforgettable night.”

“To an unforgettable night,” I repeat. I highly doubt I’ll forget seeing a woman draped on Miles’s arm.

“Damn, Row.” Declan sidles up next to us and kisses my cheek. “You clean up really well. Fucking smoking hot.”

“Thank you. Are you here with someone?”

Brock snorts. “She’s staking her claim on the jackpot. I told her I’d split it with her.”

“Not splitting.” I elbow him in the ribs.

“My date’s hot, but she’s got nothing on you,” Dec says.

“Where is she?”

He shrugs. “Currently hitting on a hockey player she used to hook up with. She’s into threesomes, as am I, but not with another guy. Maybe the winning lady will join us tonight?” He wiggles his eyebrows and I roll my eyes.

“Dude. Show some respect. Kids these days.” Brock shakes his head.

“Holy fuck. Who’s that with Buck?” Dec looks over my shoulder and my shoulders stiffen. “She’s a fucking babe.”

I can’t, I won’t turn around to look.

“Shit. I didn’t think he’d really bring someone,” Brock mutters and gives me a sympathetic frown.

Wait. Does he know? My cheeks burn with embarrassment and I lift my bare shoulder in nonchalance. “Didn’t everyone bring a date?”

“He wasn’t planning on coming until I told him I was bringing you.” His eyes flick over my shoulder and I watch as his pupils dilate. Oh my God. Evenmydate is checking out Miles’s date.

“Who is she?” Dec asks.

“No idea,” Brock groans as he blows out a gruff breath.

I might as well melt into the floor and continue to let everyone in my universe walk all over me.

“Shit. He’s coming over here.” Brock curls his arm around my waist and pulls me into his side.

What the hell is he doing?

I feel his presence behind me, then I smell his spicy cologne. He doesn’t normally wear it. Only when we were dating. Those two times. Miles told me he’d had the bottle since his college days and only slapped it on for special occasions.

I see him reach into his tuxedo pocket and pull out a wad of bills. He hands them to Brock. “There’s no competition tonight. You’ve clearly won.”

Miles turns and dips his head, his mouth so close I can feel the brush of his breath across my bare shoulder. “You are stunning, Rowan. Absolutely breathtaking.”

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