Henry is speechless, his full lips parted in shock. I take a second to appreciate the way his black tuxedo fits him, emphasizing his handsome features, which are already heart stopping.Literally—I think I’m going to need a pacemaker to shock my heart into normal rhythm from how often he makes it skip a beat. His dark brown hair is tousled, and I resist the urge to run my fingers through the silky strands.
Andrew clears his throat, drawing my attention to him. “So, the town car has been here for a couple minutes now. Are we going to leave, or do you plan on staring at each other all night?”
Wilson laughs, patting him on the shoulder. “Dude, at least you don’t have to live with them.”
I turn to glare at Wilson as Henry coughs, clearing his throat. “Uh, guys, can you give us a sec? We’ll be right out.”
Andrew winks at him, smirking. “Sure you will.”
I shift in place as they walk out the front door, and Henry drags a hand over his jaw. “I know I’m supposed to tell you how incredible you look, but that doesn’t even begin to describe you right now. Mirabelle, you look . . .” Henry trails off, laughing under his breath as his eyes roam over my face and down my body.“You look perfect.”
“I’m glad you like it.” I step forward to straighten his bow tie. It doesn’t need fixing, but I’m desperate to touch him.
His gaze slowly drags back up, and I nearly melt under the intensity of emotion in Henry’s face. “I’m so fucking lucky to be the guy on your arm tonight, but as exquisite as you look in this dress, I can’t help but think how much I want to see you out of it later.” I bite my lip to hide how much I love the idea, but Henry lifts his hand to pull it free, running his thumb over my bottom lip ever so gently.“Ne cachez pas votre sourire.”42
“We should go out there, or I might keep you all to myself,” I whisper, forgetting why we have to go.
Henry exhales a shuddering breath, kissing the corner of my mouth. “That thought is tempting, but our presence is required, and you deserve to be seen in this.After you, mon cœur.”
It’s an effort to walk toward the door.
~
Henry hasn’t left my side all night, except for his speech, and Wilson was glued to my side during it. This was Henry’s compromise regarding Tom not attending tonight.
He and Andrew gave an amazing speech that had everyone opening their checkbooks, even before the silent auction started. Henry’s arm is wrapped around my lower back as I lean into his side while we talk with Andrew and my uncle.
“How’s Seattle working out?” Uncle Owen asks Andrew.
“I like it. The team’s solid—solid enough we might even be seeing you in the Super Bowl.”
“Hey, don’t jinx it,” Henry says, and I shake my head before sipping from the champagne flute in my hand. My entire body tenses when I realize Miley is approaching us, wearing a black gown to not draw attention to herself since she’s working.
I’m aware if my parents weren’t who they are, and I wasn’t who I am, I’d be wearing the same thing.
Henry pulls me tighter to him, clearly feeling the change in my body language.
I force a smile, attempting to be polite. “Hi, Miley.”
Her distaste for me has grown since I told her to take her issues with me up with Stacey—which she clearly hasn’t.
“Mirabelle,” she greets, and honestly, I thought she was smart enough to at least try to be nice in front of my uncle, Andrew, and Henry.I think I give her too much credit.Miley smiles at them before her eyes land on Henry, and she’s about to find out just how sharp my nails are if she isn’t careful. “Henry, do you mind if I interview you about some of the work you’ve done with establishing this charity.”
“Henry, will you hold my glass?” I ask, and he takes it without question as I slide my arm around his back, resting my hand on his chest possessively. “I thought Stacey had you working the front entrance to track who is in attendance?”
“She does, but I think it’s none of your business since you’re not working,” Miley snaps.
“Which makes her a guest, and I’ve already completed my interviews for the night,” Henry says, and Miley’s eyes widen. She looks to my uncle as if expecting him to tell Henry he has to talk to her, but he immediately turns the other way. I’m not sure why she thought he would back her up, but whatever.
“But Stacey said—” Miley stammers to continue, and Henry chuckles.
“Stacey will be plenty satisfied with what I’ve said tonight, but I’m not sure she would appreciate hearing how one of her staff was treating a guest trying to enjoy their evening. Now if you’ll excuse us, we were having a conversation.”
Henry is officially the best boyfriend ever.
She straightens up, Miley’s cheeks flaming red as she walks away. A small part of me feels bad, until I remember how horrible she is to me every single day. Still, I probably should have tried to pretend I didn’t enjoy that as much as I did.
I smile up at Henry, and the corners of his mouth quirk upward in return. “Do you want to go dance?”
