AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Well, it’s almost midnight. My coach will turn into a pumpkin any minute now.”
His lips twitch with amusement as he looks at my feet. “I’m glad to see you didn’t lose either of your glass slippers.”
“I always make it a point not to leave my shoes behind. I might be searching for my prince, but that doesn’t mean I’ll rely on him for things like returning my shoes.”
“Smart choice.”
My breaths slow at what he says. Men use words likebeautifulandsexywith me; they don’t usesmart. Not even my father has told me he thinks I’m smart, which is disappointing because my grades have deserved that kind of comment. But no, he says things likegood girl. Two words I’ve grown to detest.
“Why did you leave the ball?” I ask.
“I was also concerned my coach would turn into a pumpkin.”
I smile at that and at his super straight face. “So, we’re both avoiding the real reason we left. I can appreciate a fellow avoider.” It’s my turn to lean in closer. “But tell me, was it a girl? Did she break your heart?”
“Maybe a little.” He cocks his head and narrows his eyes at me. “Did he break yours?”
I point at my hair. “This doesn’t give it away?”
“Your hair looks beautiful. It was the first thing I noticed about you.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Which part don’t you believe?”
“Neither part.”
“You think I noticed your dress first.”
“Isn’t a woman’s body the first thing men notice?”
“For some guys, I guess, but not always for me.” He pauses, searching my face. “I’m drawn to whichever quality is screaming the loudest.”
Oh, this man has all my attention now. “My hair was screaming the loudest? You’re going to have to explain that.”
“Your hair is uncontrolled and wild. I’m drawn to that. To the freedom of you, because when I look around the world, all I see are women with perfect hair, perfect looks, and perfect lives. I’m exhausted by perfection.”
“I feel like you’ve just described me. I’m that perfect woman, not the free one you think you’re seeing.” The pure honesty that just came out of my mouth stuns me. It’s not that I’m a dishonest person, but I usually try to hide the parts of me I’m unsure of.
He takes a moment with what I said, and I see it in his eyes that he’s processing and contemplating. “If you were, there’s no way you would have come here with your hair like that.”
“I didn’t. I arrived at the ball with it in a romantic, perfect bun.”
“He really did a number on you.”
“You have no idea.”
“So, you pulled your hair out, left him, and gatecrashed a party. I think you’re freer than you think you are.”
There’s something about being seen differently than the way everyone else sees me. Than the wayIsee me. I’ve never experienced this with anyone, and I like it.It’sfreeing.
Bradford glances around the party for a moment before looking back at me. “How are your feet coping in those glass slippers?”
“They’re slowly killing me.”
“There’s a couch in the corner if you’d like to sit.”
“I’m enjoying this conversation too much to leave it for the couch.” I’m almost certain Bradford intends to sit with me, but I don’t want to chance our conversation coming to an end.
