Page 130 of Dream Girl
While I could blame Grace all I wanted, the truth was, she wasn’t the one tearing the pack apart.
I was.
My eyes followed Grace as Spencer got her a glass of champagne. She laughed at something, glowing, and accepted it, as he introduced her to someone.
She’s not ready for you,Evan had told me.
The problem was, I wasn’t ready for her.
Chapter Forty
Grace
“Email me and I’ll give you a tour and demonstration when you come to town,” Dr. Harlowe, the winner of the big science award, told me, holding up her phone.
“That sounds wonderful, thank you. Congratulations again on the award.” I held up mine to receive her information. She was with PIIP, a large particle physics research organization. We had a fascinating conversation.
I went to find Spencer. The awards and dinner had finished, but dessert had yet to be served, and people mingled and danced. The food was delicious, the entire evening entertaining and joyous. Not to mention Marcos’ papi, the actor, Antonio, had been the host, and led us through a luscious romp of science and whimsy. This wasn’t some rubber-chicken, stuffy academic affair.
“Are you enjoying yourself, my good doctor?” Spencer stood at my elbow, a vision in a perfectly fitting tux–his tie and pocket square matching the red of my dress.
“I am. This is wonderful. Thank you for bringing me.” I hummed a little. My whole day had been amazing. Wes made me breakfast. Evan and I spent the afternoon at a fancy spa. Now I was here. I felt like a princess. This dress. The shoes. The necklace.
All hail Grace, Princess of Math.
When I’d taken the long, tight, sparkly gown and matching wrap out, I’d been afraid I’d be overdressed. This was a science dinner, not prom. But I fit in perfectly.
Throughout the entire evening, Spencer had been doting and attentive, lavishing me with compliments and introducing me to so many incredible people. Not to mention hearing all the amazing things people were accomplishing across the sciences here was inspiring.
“Dr. Harlowe wants me to come visit and see her particle cutter.” I grinned at the thought, hoping that one day I’d have the chance.
“I attend conferences out there, so perhaps you can accompany me. Just think, one day soon you might be speaking at conferences or at dinners like this. There are no limits as to what you can accomplish,” he told me, taking my arm, like he’d been doing all night.
My breath hitched as his leather scent washed over me. If he kept saying things like that to me, I was going to accept the job at his company simply because I was going to believe that I could actually do it.
I eyed the couples on the dance floor. The dancing here wasn’t what I was used to. It was a cross between ballroom and something from a Regency movie. Different songs had different dances, and everyone seemed to know them. It was exquisite to behold.
“Would you care to dance?” Spencer held out his hand.
“I… I don’t know how.” I shook my head.
“Follow my lead.” His hand remained outstretched.
“Don’t hate me if I step on your foot?” I took his hand in mine.
He led me onto the floor in the center of the sumptuously decorated ballroom. “I could never, my good doctor. It’s simple counting for this one.One-two-three-four.”
We glided across the dance floor, turning and whirling, four-four time, and almost a fox-trot.
I stepped on his foot. My cheeks warmed. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine, just relax and follow me. Now, leap.” He picked me up,turned, and put me down. With one of his hands lingering on my hip as the other hand took mine, we were swept back up in the movements, the music.
After a couple of passes on the floor, I’d mostly figured it out.
“You might not know it at first, but with some basic instruction you can do anything, my good doctor.” He beamed as if I’d made a scientific breakthrough.
His words made me breathless. Or perhaps it was the dancing.
