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Better yet, what if I can’t find the strength tonight to care?
I press my palm against his strong chest, thinking I’m going to back away... I mean, that’s the responsible thing to do. But maybe I’m tired of being responsible. Perfection is an exhausting illusion to maintain. And yet I do so for the sake of everyone else.
Maybe... just maybe, I could do this one thing for me.
Sensing my apprehension, Ares covers my hand with his and sighs as he holds me there, locked in a stare-off. “Nothing needs to happen, Grace. We can dance the rest of the night away right here and forget I said anything.”
The song ends, rolling into another sultry beat, and I press closer. “What if I don’t want to forget?”
“Then I grab that tray of finger food and a bottle of champagne.” This time that damn grin is triumphant and electrifying, and I know what I want to do.
“You get the snacks, and I’ll steal us some cake. What’s your room number?” I force the words out quickly as my eyes dart around us, and my heart thunders behind my ribs like the ultimate crescendo in my favorite ballet.
Ares steps back and pulls two key cards from his pocket. He presses one in my hand and palms the other. “Room 626, Grace.”
The key card weighs heavy in my hand as I nod, and Ares backs away.
I watch as he pockets two magnums of champagne and grabs a tray of finger foods without anyone blinking an eye. I don’t think anyone at all paid him a bit of attention. How is that possible? The eyes of the world are constantly on me. Maybethe worldis a bit of an exaggeration, but it certainly feels that way most days. I can’t do anything at all without being seen and fretted over.
Getting out of here unnoticed ought to be interesting.
Quickly, I dart across the massive ballroom and grab my purse from the table, but before I can take another step, Dad’s voice stops me.
“Hey, Gracie. Come dance with your old man.”
I hesitate, feeling what has to be a metric ton of guilt swimming in my eyes, and force a perfect smile. “Of course, Daddy.”
“Do you remember when you would stand on my feet and beg me to dance you around the living room?” His voice is hoarse and wistful, like he’s lost in a memory. One I can visualize with scary clarity.
“Of course I do,” I tell him right before he spins me out, then back in again. “You’ll always be my favorite dance partner.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Gracie girl. One day, some lucky man, who could never possibly be good enough, isgoing to sweep you off your feet, and you’re going to leave me just like your sister did.”
Or maybe I’m going to break his heart and leave him this week...
I rest my head on his shoulder and close my eyes. “You didn’t lose her, Dad. She lives five minutes from your house and works three buildings down from Mom. She’s right here, and she just gave you two grandbabies to dote on too.”
Dad chuckles and presses a kiss to my head. “You always find a way to spin everything for the better, Gracie.”
And there’s another inadvertent hit.
I’m going to break his heart.
I know it.
What I want to say isplease don’t hate me when I move across the world to follow my dreams, Daddy.But I know that’s not Declan Sinclair’s way.No. My dad has always been my biggest cheerleader. He’s encouraged me to follow every dream and never once made me feel bad about how far away or how long they’d take me away.
“Love you, Gracie.” He kisses the top of my head, and my first tear silently falls.
I choke back the sob threatening to bubble up. “Love you too, Dad.”
It takes me nearly twenty-five minutes to successfully navigate my family, a handful of friends, and my new niece, Kerrigan—who wanted to show me how her dress twirls when she spins—and manage to snag two pieces ofcake and two forks without any questions. Okay, so Ares did it in five, but I’ll settle for my time. At least I didn’t chicken out. I’ve thankfullysuccessfullyslipped on and off the elevator without anyone blinking an eye. No small feat for some, but I consider it a major accomplishment for me.
That is, until I stop in front of Ares’s door and realize the key he gave me is in my purse. The sparkly silver one I’m holding under my arm.Okay, Grace, you’ve got this.I attempt to maneuver the plates and forks into one hand so I can get the key, but a piece of chocolate cake pays the ultimate price. The plate shatters and the cake paints the door, the wall, and my shoes with chocolate.
Damn it. I really liked these shoes.
The door opens, and I look up to find Ares standing there, chuckling, and oh my... he looks more delicious than the dearly departed cake. “You look like you’re considering eating that cake off the floor, good twin.”
