But my favorite part?
Dusty.
I squat down in front of him, grinning.“Dusty.Look at you, so handsome.”
He beams, tugging on the collar of his crisp button-up.His dark jeans are cuffed at the ankle, and his tiny shoes are polished to perfection.
“I love this outfit on you,” I tell him, brushing a bit of lint from his sleeve.“You look so grown up tonight.”
He puffs out his chest proudly.“I picked it myself.”
I exchange a look with Scarlet.“You’ve got a heartbreaker on your hands.”
She laughs, and I stand again, letting the energy of the night swirl around us.Somewhere in this crowd is Brant.
And I know, without even seeing him yet, that the second our eyes meet, this party is going to get a lot more interesting.
Spotting him across the room, I watch Brant talk to one of the board members, drink in hand, tailored suit catching the light just right.He looks damn good.
Scarlet’s parents walk over, so I compose myself and greet them warmly.We chat a bit about the ward, how amazing it turned out, and the excitement around the hospital since the ribbon-cutting.They’re all beaming with pride, and it’s infectious.I feel it too, something like pride, but also something deeper, more personal.Maybe because this place doesn’t just have my work in it, but it also has me in it now too.I’m feeling more connected every single day.
I survey the room for Dad before I step toward Brant, but then Scarlet’s husband, Greer, appears with a tray of drinks.“Oh!I didn’t realize you were here,” he says, eyes wide.“I would’ve grabbed you one.”
“It’s fine,” I say, smiling.“I’ll grab one in a bit.”
“No, let me,” he insists, already stepping back.
Before I can argue, Dusty darts off after him, clearly more excited about juice than adult conversation.
Scarlet and I are suddenly alone as her parents spark a conversation with board members.She exhales like she’s been waiting for this moment all evening.
“Oh, thank God,” she says, leaning in.“I wanted to ask you something.”
I raise an eyebrow.“Yeah?”
She glances over my shoulder.I follow her gaze to Brant, who’s now nodding at something Dr.Pierce said.My heart stutters.He looks relaxed.But then I realize Scarlet is looking at him and then looking at me.
“Is everything okay with you and Brant?”
My breath catches.Panic hits me in the chest, and then it turns to guilt.I hate lying to my best friend.
She knows.
I blink hard, trying to keep my expression neutral.“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“He won’t stop looking at you.I noticed it earlier, and… even now.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, heat threatening to spread across my face.I try so hard not to smile.But she’s not wrong.
Scarlet narrows her eyes, a spark of mischief in them.“Something is going on, isn’t it?”
“It’s nothing serious.”I look down, brushing imaginary creases off my dress like it’s the most interesting thing in the world.
“Oh, my God.”She grabs my arm, her fingers digging in.“You need to tell me everything.”
“There’s nothing to tell,” I say, even as my face betrays me.My lips are already curving up.“Honestly, it’s just… we’re having a little fun.That’s all.”
“You two would be perfect together,” she says, too loudly.
