Page 86 of The Matchmaker's Choice: A Lesbian Romance

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go to a perfumery and got them to make me something

custom. It’s basically an essential oil that I dab on and it lasts

for a few hours. It doesn’t have that strong, chemical or

alcohol scent that the store perfumes sometimes do. For

special occasions, I bring out the tiny bottle of vanilla scented

oil. I only ever dab it on at my wrists and behind my ears.

Adley’s hand shifts in mine. I think she’s going to pull

it away, and I freeze. The next piece of music starts, merry and

jaunty. Adley’s finger strokes my palm before she clasps my

hand again.

It was the tiniest of movements, but it makes my

stomach feel pinched and my chest tight. It makes everything

burn and throb. It makes me feel shivery and thrilled.

This whole night is our night. Our night together. For

me, that is incredibly monumental. It’s incredibly special. It’s

a huge deal. I have a right to be insanely excited.

Is it wrong to be proud that the most attractive woman

in the entire place tonight is mine? I know what they say about

pride, but I am proud. And happy. I’m so freaking happy that

Adley agreed to come to this with me tonight. That I’m sitting

next to her. That for now, she’s not thinking about whatever

happened to her in the past. She’s enjoying herself. She’s on a

date. With me. I’m on a date. With her. In public.

I don’t have to think of an excuse after. I don’t have to

pep-talk myself into staying. I didn’t have to fight down my

rising panic at having to fake yet another night of my life.

I’m just me. Sitting with her.

I think this might be the most amazing night of my

entire life so far.

Chapter 13

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