Page 71 of Check the Halls
But the damage was done.
I finally tear my gaze away from Maddy before my thoughts can run away with me, but it’s too late. The image of her in that gown is burned into my brain for life.
“You are a vision,” Chanda breathes as she approaches her.
“Stunning,” Claus agrees, giving her a look of admiration that I’d like to wipe off his polished face.
“Thank you,” Maddy says quietly, clearly uncomfortable being the center of attention. “I’m sure Annika will look much better in it.”
Not fucking possible.
“Stand next to Ben. Let’s see the outfits together.” Chanda instructs and Maddy softly pads over to me, herbare toes peeking out from under the hem of the dress. She stops roughly two feet away from me.
“Closer,” Chanda says, waving her hands together.
Maddy takes another step towards me and I get an intoxicating whiff of her shampoo.
“Closer,” Chanda repeats. “I want to see you side by side. Shoulder to shoulder.”
I’m frozen to the spot. I couldn’t move if I tried. Maddy takes one more step, standing directly beside me. Our arms brush together and even through the layers of fabric, my hair there stands on end.
“Perfection,” Chanda declares as she gazes at us like we’re the final brushstroke on a masterpiece. “Don’t you think?” she asks Claus, who much to my annoyance hasn’t taken his eyes off Maddy since we stepped into the room.
“They make a very striking pair,” he agrees.
Chanda claps her hands once, delighted. “I think we have our winners! Claus, would you set these outfits aside for Ben and Annika?”
“Of course,” he replies. “We’ll bring them in for a final fitting closer to the date.”
“Wonderful.” She turns to Maddy with a warm smile. “Madelyn, I’m off to meet my husband for a late lunch.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you back at the office.” Maddy replies, already backing away from me like she’s trying to escape.
Chanda turns her attention to me, her tone gracious. “Ben, thank you so much for coming.”
“My pleasure,” I manage, though my voice comes out hoarse and thin.
Claus sees Chanda out and Maddy immediatelyretreats in the opposite direction. With a defeated sigh, I head to my dressing room. The second the door shuts behind me, I sink onto the plush velvet chaise, elbows on my knees, head in my hands.
I’m losing my grip.
Every time I take a step forward—every time I think we might be finding our way back to each other—something knocks me two steps back.
Hope is a dangerous thing. It creeps in quietly, threading itself through the cracks, whispering promises of second chances. When Maddy left Derek, I let myself believe this might be it—our chance to finally get it right. But maybe I was wrong. Maybe the universe is just messing with me, dangling her in front of me long enough for me to taste what I’ve been missing before yanking her away again.
What if she doesn’t choose me?
What if she thinks long and hard about what she needs and decides that it’s not me?
I drag myself off the chaise, take my time changing out of the formalwear, and tug my sweater over my head as I step back into the hallway. The soft wool catches on my elbow as I glance down the corridor.
Maddy’s door is still closed.
Should I wait for her? Ask if she needs a lift back to her office? At the very least I have to say goodbye.
As I’m approaching her door, I hear her call, “Claus?”
“No. It’s Ben.” I don’t hide the irritation in my tone at her hoping I was another man.
