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Alex shifted his ski poles. “You work things out. You talk about things. And in the end, everything comes together.”
Hating that assessment, Dean scoffed. “Like destiny? Or maybe magic?”
Alex laughed, pushed his goggles over his eyes. “It isn’t magic. It’s work.” Using his poles he swooshed himself down the slope, then stopped and in a spray of snow faced Dean again. “It’s a lot of work,” he called up the mountain. “But it’s worth it. Don’t let your chance pass you by. Because if you really love her, and I think you do, you’re going to regret it.”
* * *
Kristen had all but decided not to go to the royal family’s Christmas Eve party when her mom appeared in her room. “You’re not dressed.”
Kristen sat up on her bed, saw her mom in a bright red Christmas gown and her eyebrows rose. “You are dressed. What’s up?”
“Your dad and I were invited to this year’s Christmas party too.”
“Really?”
“Something about my position with you in your charity.” She sat on the bed and nudged Kristen’s shoulder. “Thanks for putting your mom on your board.”
Kristen laughed. “You’re one of the smartest people I know. You might not be able to make a million-dollar contribution, but I think we need you.”
“So, since I’m such a smart person, I’m going to give you a piece of advice.”
“I’m not going to the party.”
“I know you don’t want to see Dean, but your days of cocooning yourself in here because you’re upset over a guy dumping you are done. You don’t have that luxury. You need to go to this party.” She rose from the bed. “Even if you go late, you need to go. If nothing else, you need to show your benefactors that in spite of being upset you will do your job.”
Kristen sighed.
Her mother headed out the door. “Your dad and I are leaving now. We don’t want to miss a minute. I’d thought we’d all ride together but we don’t want to wait for you to dress.”
She laughed as her mom disappeared from sight, but when she was gone, she squeezed her eyes shut. Her mother was right. She needed to put in an appearance. She needed to look strong and happy because her charity was coming together. She couldn’t let losing one man, one man who had used her, cause her to crumble.
She had to be strong.
Unfortunately, because she’d convinced herself it was okay to stay home, she hadn’t shopped that week and she had nothing to wear.
She suddenly missed Stella.
Then she saw the black gown hanging in the back of her closet. Memories of how fun that party had been caused her heart to stutter and she almost decided she couldn’t do this. She couldn’t see Dean. She couldn’t face the fact that he’d used her.
But as quickly as she thought that, she realized she had to see Dean. She had to prove to herself, to him and to everybody that nothing would keep her from doing her duty for her charity.
* * *
A quick trip through the receiving line at the royal family’s Christmas Eve party gained Dean entrance to the ballroom. Huge silver and gold ornaments hung from the high ceiling with tinsel that arched between each bell and ball and then looped over to the next. Glittering crystal vases held red rose centerpieces on the round tables. The table for the royal family was awash with twinkling white lights. Replete with the scents of roast goose, good wine and sweet treats, the room smelled like heaven.
Dean saw every style and color of gown, glittering necklaces and every hairdo from simple to fancy. But he didn’t seen Kristen, and he wondered, as Alex had said, if he hadn’t let his chance pass him by.
He’d thought through everything Alex had said and knew he was right. Dean did love Kristen. He was afraid. But he’d spent most of his childhood alone, then ten years unable to trust, and he couldn’t do that anymore. He wanted everything Kristen had to offer.
When he still hadn’t seen her at dinner, he glanced at the entry one more time, worried that he’d hurt her enough that she’d decided to miss this ball. King Mason had made a Christmas toast. Dancing had begun. She’d be here by now, even if she only intended to put in an appearance for her royal family’s sake.
