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I gripped the lapels of his jacket, shivering in pleasure. “Guests will be arriving soon,” I stammered out, loving every second of his touch.
“We can be late,” he groaned.
“No, we can’t,” I countered, but barely.
His fingers danced down the bare skin on my back, making me throw my head back.
“You’re not playing fair,” I breathed out.
“I know.” His lips brushed mine.
I gently pulled away before I gave in to temptation. “I don’t want to have to explain to Jameson why we’re late.”
“Fine,” he conceded.
I smoothed out his tie, like I had done a hundred times as his assistant. I liked this role much better. “Thank you for being here.”
He ran the back of his hand down my cheek. “Thanks for waiting for me. I love you, Charlotte. I forgive you.”
“I love you. And I suppose I forgive you too.” I grinned.
He pulled me to him. “Get ready to make up.”
Oh, I was ready. “But first, we dance.”
“First the pearls.”
I liked his idea better. I turned so he could do the honors.
“Drake, will you be happy here in Fair Hollow?” I had to ask, as he placed the pearls around my neck.
“Is this where you and Jameson plan to stay?”
“I was planning on it.”
He clasped the pearls and kissed my cheek. “Then, I’ll be happy.”
I spun around, the most ecstatic woman alive, and dug my fingers right into his curls. “Maybe we can be a little bit late.”
~*~
Izzy and I waited by the door to greet each guest. But there was one guest who was the most important to us—sweet George. He arrived fifteen minutes after the start of the ball. There were already several guests, dressed in their finest, mingling to the sounds of the band playing Dean Martin’s “Everybody Loves Somebody.” I sure loved a lot of somebodies.
George shuffled in, wearing an old faded blue suit that had seen better days but was pressed to precision. His red bow tie with pink hearts was a bit askew. He was adorable. He held in his hands two corsage boxes.
“These are for you, my dears,” he said, out of breath. Poor guy.
“Oh, George. You didn’t have to do that,” Izzy and I echoed each other.
“What kind of gentleman would I be if I didn’t?” He was highly affronted.
Izzy and I laughed and slipped on our pink-rose wrist corsages. I felt like I was going to the prom. This time, though, I had the hottest date in town. Perhaps in the world. How did that happen?
George looked around the old place. “She’s here tonight.”
I held out my hand. “She is. Come see what we did to the ballroom.” I was so excited to show him the paper hearts. “And you’ll never guess who’s here.”
“Nora and Calvin,” he said, without missing a beat.
Izzy and I both blinked several times.
“How did you know that?” I asked.
George flashed me his mischievous smile, not saying a word.
I shook my head. “I don’t know how you do it, George. And maybe I don’t want to know. I’m afraid it would take away the magic if I knew.”
He took my hand. “Girlie, don’t ever stop believing in magic.”
I hoped I never did.
We entered the ballroom with George, and everyone clapped for the old man. He was a legend here. He teared up from the attention, and more so when he looked up to see the paper hearts his wife had loved so much.
“Daisy girl,” he whispered, “look at our place.” He squeezed Izzy’s and my hands. “We picked the right girls.”
Izzy and I smiled at each other. We belonged here, of that there was no doubt.
I felt it even more as I took turns dancing with Jameson and Drake. Mostly Drake. Jameson was more interested in chasing his friend Ollie and eating cake.
From Drake’s arms I looked around at all the people who were watching us. Drake was still very much a novelty. But I felt secure in my place, with my human. Two people caught my eye in particular. Nora and Calvin were dancing together. Not cheek to cheek, but they were touching. And Calvin was eyeing Nora in her sage chiffon dress, while Nora was checking out Calvin in his suit. He cleaned up nicely.
“Your parents are dancing together,” I whispered.
Drake peeked in their direction. “Maybe this place is magical after all.” He grinned.
“You have no idea.” I rested my head on his chest and swayed to the beat of the music with him.
“I think I do.” He kissed my head.
The music stopped, yet we still swayed.
“It’s time for George to give a speech,” Izzy announced into the microphone.
I turned in Drake’s arms to listen to George. Drake held me firmly from behind.
Izzy helped George up to the platform where the band was playing.
George took the microphone, not shaking as badly as he normally did. “Welcome to all,” he began. “This ball was started by my beloved Daisy. There was nothing she loved more than love itself. And a happy ending. She would always say, if you aren’t happy, then it’s not over. Some happily ever afters take some time, but don’t ever give up.”
