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Abigail turned a slow circle. “Wow. Do we get to dance?” She tugged on my hand. “It’s like a princess castle. I want to dance.”
“Hmm?” I jerked my gaze back to my daughter. “I’m not sure there will be any music.” Breathe, Lucy. Breathe. I could do this. I could pretend that nothing had happened between me and the three men approaching me. I had to be professional and keep my head.
Justin smiled, and my heart melted at the sight. Damn them all. Why did they have to be so sweet and amazing?
“Well now, who’s this?” Zachary stopped first and held out his hand to Abigail. “I had no idea there would be a princess here tonight.”
Abigail stood rooted to the spot, her blue eyes so wide they looked ready to pop from her head. “Are you a prince?”
“This guy?” Justin slapped Zachary on the back. “He’s the best prince of all.”
Abigail took Zachary’s hand and shook it like I’d taught her.
“Abigail, this is Zachary, Justin, and Lennox.” I pointed out each man as I said their name. She mouthed them back at me, and I knew she’d remember. Even at five, she had a memory for names and faces. Especially when they made the kind of impression these three had.
Lennox dipped his head in a nod that made his hair flop over his forehead. “Can I get you ladies something to drink?”
“Water, please.” I needed something to ease the dryness in my throat, and champagne was not the answer tonight.
Lennox winked at me and Abigail. “As you wish.” He skirted around the edge of the crowd and disappeared.
“That’s a beautiful dress.” Justin shook Abigail’s hand and smiled easily at her. “I’m glad you were willing to leave your library to grace us with your presence tonight.”
Abigail twisted her hands in her skirt and fluffed it dramatically. “This is my favorite dress.”
“And the only one she would wear.” I grinned even as I said it. My daughter was one of a kind. From the moment I told her about tonight, she’d been adamant about this dress. Nothing could persuade her to change her mind. And I didn’t mind. The yellow princess dress might not be an adult’s first choice, but it suited my daughter just fine. Even if she’d chosen to pair it with a bright pink, fluffy scarf as a last-minute accessory.
“You look amazing.” Justin leaned in close with the excuse of kissing the back of my hand. His lips lingered a beat too long and my pulse kicked up at the unexpected contact.
Lennox returned with two flutes of water. He handed one to Abigail with a flourish, then repeated the gesture with me. “Your refreshments.”
Abigail giggled at his over-the-top actions and covered her mouth. “I like it here.”
“Good.” Zachary moved to my side and held out his arm. “I’d like to introduce you to a few people, if you’re ready.”
I wasn’t, but that’s what I’d come here for, so I settled my hand in the crook of his elbow and nodded. “Abigail, stay with Mama.”
“We’ll keep an eye on her.” Justin and Lennox fell in step behind Abigail, who skipped along beside me.
She took in the entire lobby without ever slowing down.
I expected Zachary to lead me to the few clusters of men and women standing in the lobby, but he guided me toward a pair of open doors on the other side of the room.
Abigail gasped loud enough that it covered my own shocked inhale. “It’s a ballroom.” She swished her skirts and bounced. “Dance. I want to dance.”
I stared at her helplessly. There was no music except for the soft strains from a nearby piano. A man sat at the baby grand, his fingers floating over the keys.
Lennox angled a look at me, one eyebrow raised in a silent question. Did I trust him to dance with my daughter? I nodded for him to go ahead.
“May I have this dance?” He held out his hand to Abigail, and she almost bounced right out of her shoes. She didn’t squeal but nodded with the grace of a ballerina while accepting his offered hand.
I allowed Zachary to lead me a short distance away.
“Caroline.” He spoke the woman’s name with a graceful lilt to his voice, and a middle-aged woman in a black sheath dress turned our way. “This is Lucy. She’s the one I told you about who’s advocating for the girls at the rec center.”
“Oh yes. I remember.” Caroline smiled warmly at me, her brown eyes sparking with interest. “Zachary has had nothing butnice things to say about you, my dear.” She patted Zachary’s arm. “Why don’t you tell me more about your ideas.”
I’d prepared all week for this moment, and the words came easily now as I stood with Caroline. Zachary stayed by my right side, his steady presence helping to ease the last of my tension. “I’d like to see more girls given the opportunity to participate in sports generally thought of as male-dominated. Hockey, in particular. But more than that, I think there should be more role models in place for those girls that are available to talk and not simply coach or run drills.”
