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What’s done is done; there is only moving forward.
My lips thin as I rub my fingers together, finally realizing how exhausted I really feel. A mental exhaustion that comes on like a train, hitting me at one hundred miles per hour, knocking me off my feet.
“I just want this to go well. I don’t want to disappoint anyone,” I tell her, my head falling to the side as I rest it on my shoulder.
“You won’t,” Elena assures me, taking my hands in hers. She lays her head on my other shoulder, breathing with me.
We stay like that for a few minutes, just existing in the space we take up, contemplating the meaning of life and what human existence is.
“Thank you for being kind to me,” I whisper finally, and her head shoots up.
“Why wouldn’t I be kind to you?”
I shrug, wincing. “I don’t think it’s a surprise to say that I was a little shocked coming here. I didn’t know any of this existed, of course. Jerry doesn’t like me, and neither does Ronan.”
She scoffs. “Ronan doesn’t like a single person in this world, baby girl, but the way he looks at you is something new.”
“What do you mean?”
She grabs my shoulders, spinning me toward her. “I’m saying that that boy isn’t nice to anyone. He keeps to himself. He’s a lone wolf. He hangs out with us, sure, but none of us know a lot about him.”
“He hasn’t told me much, either.”
“But he will.”
“How do you know?”
“There’s something about the look in a man’s eye that’ll tell you everything you need to know.”
* * *
Elena helped me get my dress on and did my makeup, and I don’t think I’ve ever felt more beautiful.
The form-fitting silver dress falls around my feet, its shimmery fabric reflecting in the light. The bodice hugs my curves perfectly, lifting the girls just enough to still be perceived as classy by snooty politicians, yet still makes me feel sexy.
My hair falls over my shoulders in waves, with two chunks from either side of my face braided and tied at the back of my head in a bun.
I look in the mirror, examining the magic Elena performed on my face. A dark smokey eye makes my green eyes stand out, a hint of silver at the inner corners. A neutral lip to balance it out.
Thanking Elena profusely and leaving the room, I make my way to Ronan’s room, my heels in hand. I don’t even bother to knock; instead just barging in.
Ronan spins on his heels, his eyes widening as he sees me. But it’s me that can’t take my eyes off of him.
Dressed to the nines in black dress pants, Ronan’s perfectly ironed white button-down shirt sits untucked and open, revealing his chest. I’ve seen his chest before, sure. Just the other morning, he was completely shirtless before me. Mouthwateringly gorgeous in a way that sends heat plummeting into the depths of my belly.
But a man in a suit is a whole new level of sexy, and Ronan has it perfected.
His dark eyes gleam with delight as he catches me looking, his lips quirking up in a smirk. His black hair is tousled slightly, and when he turns his head to grab his belt from the bed, I notice his stubble. Like he hasn’t shaved in a couple days.
It’s not because of me, though, surely.
His bicep bulges in his shirt, and I lick my lips, attempting to desperately get a grip on myself.
“Sorry for barging in like that,” I tell him, closing the door finally.
He chuckles as he loops the belt through his pants. “No, you aren’t, but that’s okay.”
I shake my head, smiling. “No, I’m not.”
