Page 70 of Isabella and the Slipper

“Actors have to know how to dance. At least, that’s what Mom always said.” He grinned at her. “But right now, I don’t mind so much.”Electricity skittered across where his skin touched hers, and he pulled her closer.

Isabella lowered her lashes. “So, do I look like you imagined?”

He grinned and whispered in her ear. “Better than I imagined.”

She peered at him, her eyes skeptical. “But I’m ... just average.”

He caressed her hand with his thumb. “How many times do I need to tell you that I don’t care what you look like?”

She stayed silent, so he continued. “As we’ve been texting each other, I’ve gotten to know who you are on the inside.” He looked into her chocolate-brown eyes, just now realizing she wasn’t wearing her glasses. He swallowed. “You’re beautiful.”

She blushed a deeper shade of red and looked past him. “Has it been this crowded all night?”

“No. It was pretty bare earlier. Most people probably went out to eat before the dance.”

The song ended, and he let go of her. “Are you thirsty? Want something to drink?”

“Sure.” She led the way to the punch bowl. It sat on a table by the wall. He scooped up a cup for her, and she gulped it down.

He chuckled. “More?”

She shook her head. “No. But thank you. I needed that.” She tossed the empty plastic cup in the trash.

“You look flushed. Do you want to go outside?”

A look of relief came over her. “Yes.”

He held the door for her. The light breeze felt good on his face. Isabella smiled up at him.

They walked down a path that led them around the school. Chase wasn’t sure if she would pull away if he tried to hold her hand, so he put his hands in his pockets. It was driving him crazy that she liked another guy. But there wasn’t much he could do about it.

“Do you feel like everything happens for a reason?” she asked.

“What, like fate or something?”

She nodded. “Yes. Do you believe in fate?”

He took in a breath and let it out slowly, trying to think of a good answer. “I guess I kind of do. I mean, I think sometimes we make our own destiny, but ultimately I believe there’s a higher power out there who has control.”

Isabella slowed her steps. “If there’s a higher power who is in control, then why do bad things happen to good people?”

He stopped walking and turned to her. The moonlight lit up her face, and he looked into her dark eyes. “That’s a question people have been struggling with ever since time began.”

She peered up at him, her eyebrows furrowed. “What do you think?”

He cupped her cheek with his hand, unable to stand it anymore. “I think even the bad things that happen ultimately do some good. They shape us into the people we become.” He didn’t finish the thought because he didn’t want to tell her what an amazing person he thought she had already become. He’d embarrassed her enough tonight.

She blinked at him, her mask hiding her expression. “What about right now? Is this fate?”

His gaze landed on her lips. “Yes,” he whispered, mesmerized. He leaned in, and her lips parted.

Did that mean she wanted him to kiss her? He came a little closer, waiting to see if she would back away from him. When she didn’t, he brushed his lips across hers.

Her lips were soft and warm, and the sensations washing over him left him breathless. He wanted more. He kissed her again, slowly, more thoroughly. Her lips were like nothing he’d ever experienced. He’d kissed girls before, but none of them tilted his world quite like Isabella.

He kissed the corner of her mouth, and then her jaw. A desire to show her he knew who she was welled up in him. He wanted her to realize he liked her for who she really was. He pulled back and reached up to her mask. Slowly, he began lifting it.

This broke the spell and Isabella gasped, stepping back, both hands on her mask. “Don’t,” she said, her voice almost panicked.

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