Page 94 of The Heart You Kept

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I read through the results, take my pen and paper and begin to take notes on websites.

I think for a moment. It’s imperative that I keep my search history on my devices clear….

Tomorrow I’ll buy a burner phone in another name.

ALORA

We walk up the wide sandstone stairs and I glance up at the painted ornate ceiling. “This museum is so beautiful,” I whisper.

“I know, my god, I had no idea, how haven’t we been here before?” Helene stops on the steps and tips her head back to really study it for a moment. “I want to live here.”

I continue up the stairs as I wonder if I will bump into anyone Edward knows tonight. “Do I look okay?”

“You look hot, I love this sixties vibe you’ve got going on.”

I glance down at myself, I’m wearing high-waisted denim jeans, they have a little pocket on each side at the front with a plaited material detail and the legs are bell bottoms. I’ve teamed them up with a black turtleneck and a cream vintage handbag and wedges. To top off the look my hair is curled and up in a high ponytail. “These jeans were the find of the century.” I run my hand down over my behind.

“I know, I love how the blue is so blue. Why don’t they make denim in that color anymore?” Her eyes drop down the length of my body and back up to my face. “You look like a hot Twiggy.”

“Mission accomplished.” We continue up the stairs. “Because I do love a hot Twiggy.” We arrive at the top floor and make our way through the double doors to the ballroom. The walls are adorned with giant paintings of different landscapes. People chatter as they wander around looking. “Oh.” I smile, pleasantly surprised. “Look how beautiful these paintings are.” There are moon and stars and oceans and cliff faces, all so different but following the same nature theme.

“Let’s go to the bar,” Helene whispers. “Things look even better after alcohol.”

I giggle. “Sounds like a plan.” We walk over to the bar. “Can I please have two glasses of white,” I ask.

“Of course.” She passes me the two glasses of wine.

“Yesssss,” Helene whispers as she cranes her neck. “Look who’s here.”

“Who?”

“Prescott.”

“What?” I turn so fast that the wine nearly spills over the sides of the glasses. “Where?”

“In the right corner.”

I sip my wine as I casually glance over and I see him straight away, he’s talking to three other men, and while the others all blend into mediocrity, there’s no hiding when you have that stance. Legs wide, gray suit, perfect posture and dominance oozing from his every cell. Edward Prescott is a beast to behold, beautiful and wild…. But a beast just the same.

Instantly my heart begins to hammer in my chest and damn it, why does he affect me so much? I put my hand on my lower stomach as I try to calm myself down, I can hardly breathe when I’m in his vicinity. It’s like I’m orbiting his sun and the power he emits instantly sucks mine away, leaving me powerless, and vulnerable.

Completely at his godlike mercy.

Act cool.

I take in a long, shaky breath and turn my back to him.

“Look at you,” Helene whispers with a smile.

“What?” I act oblivious.

“As soon as you see him you get all flustered and red in the face.”

“I do not,” I scoff, but I know I do and it’s becoming embarrassing that I can’t hide it.

“He’s spotted you,” she whispers.