AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I can’t cometo the ball.”
His tone shifted from lazy and flirty to focused and direct in zero point two seconds.
“What? Why not?”
“I don’t have a dress.”
I stared at the pieces again. What a travesty. It would have been so beautiful, too.
“Come in whatever you’re wearing,” he said. “I don’t care.”
It was the same thing he’d said when he’d invited me out on Halloween. If only I’d taken him up on that offer.
“Hawk, I’m serious.” A girl didn’t go to a fancy event wearing leggings and oversized T-shirts.
“What about that getup you had from the wedding? You looked hot.”
I squirmed a little inside. I knew he’d been checking me out. I could have worn it—if I still had it.
“I donated it. I don’t have it anymore.”
“You and your do-gooder heart,” he grumbled. Seconds passed and then he said, “I’ll buy you a dress.”
“What? No.”
“Ella. I need you there. What’s your address?”
“Hawk.”
I was speechless, utterly and completely.
I figured he would be disappointed. I never thought he would swoop in and come to the rescue. I never thought he cared so much.
“Your address,” he said again. “I’m coming to pick you up. I’ll take care of everything.” He paused as if thinking better of it. “If…if that’s okay with you.”
A flare of disorientation seeped through, making me slightly flushed. He was being considerate of me. Something told me he had been for some time now and I’d been too stubborn to notice.
“I—yes. That’s okay with me,” I said in disbelief before telling him my address.
“Hang tight,” he said. “I’ll be there soon.”
The call ended, leaving me a whirling mess of nerves and anticipation. Hawk was coming to get me. And I couldn’t wait to see what he had up his sleeve.
NINETEEN
hawk
I hadn’t wantedto push the Sweet Shoppe hospital idea on anyone else, but this?
This was Ella we were talking about. She was my princess for the night, and I’d do everything I could to make her feel that way.
I paced the floor in my bedroom. The carpet was soft beneath my socked feet. This was probably the most normal room in my house. Simple bed, nightstands with lamps on them, walk-in closet. Nothing out of the ordinary.
The same dilemma I’d faced before still stood: Christmas Eve. People were busy with family; my staff was busy with the ball and the expansion. I couldn’t call on Clary for this any more than I could have for my Sweet Shoppe.
That meant it was up to me. I’d track down any dress store I had to. I’d get them to open their doors, even if it meant bribery.
I could bribe like a boss.
