Cupid Loves Curves (Curvy Collections #11)

Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

BERNADETTE

W hat in the world did I get myself into? I glance in my mirror for probably the hundredth time. When Lance agreed to be my date for the party, I nearly fainted. Part of me thinks that he’s going to stand me up, but then I remember the way that he looked at me, that night we met. He looked at me in a way that no man ever has.

The buzzer for my apartment startles me, releasing a million butterflies in my stomach. Grabbing my purse, I quickly answer the buzzer, and then head downstairs to meet him.

When I see him through the glass door to my building, I freeze. He’s standing there in a form-fitting dark suit, with a crisp white shirt, and a dark tie. The suit can barely contain his tall, muscular body. I have never seen a man so handsome and so confident, and my knees nearly buckle as I walk toward him. Having him with me tonight is going to give me the boost of confidence that I need. Even if I don’t win the award, I’m going to feel like I fit in for the first time ever.

“Bernadette.” Lance looks at me with awe in his eyes. He rubs his hand over his eyes, like he’s trying to check if he’s dreaming, and when he finishes and looks at me, he grins. It’s like he’s never seen a woman before. “You look stunning.”

“Thanks. You look pretty dashing in that suit.”

He opens the car door for me, waiting until I’m incompletely and until then verify that my dress isn’t going to get caught in the door. Lance is the kind of man that I dreamed about, forever. He’s kind and funny, he loves his family, and there’s just that special spark when we’re together. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that he’s hot as fucking hell. I keep expecting to wake up from a dream, but this is real.

“And who is this here?” I freeze at the sound of Alicia’s voice and I plaster a fake smile on my face. She’s the snarkiest, most overbearing person in the office and there is no world that we would ever be friends.

Without missing a beat, Lance wraps his arm over my shoulders and pulls me close to him, making me feel safe. I catch a hint of his spicy cologne and I gasp at how good he smells. I could definitely get used to this.

“Lance Clayton. And you are?” There’s a crispness to his voice that I haven’t heard before. It’s like he understands exactly how I feel about this woman.

Alicia introduces herself and preens in front of him, as if I wasn’t standing right here. Of course, she’s skinny and popular, and Lance is the kind of guy that any of the women in the office would drool over. But for tonight at least, he’s mine.

“If you’d like to know more, I’d be enthusiastically happy to meet with you and show you more.”

I roll my eyes, though she’s staring at Lance so hard that she might bore a hole into him. Thankfully, Lance smiles and holds me even tighter.

“That’s generous of you to offer, but no thank you. I’m not letting Bernadette here out of my sight tonight. She’s a very special woman.”

A startled look appears on Alicia’s face. She’s not the kind of woman that men say no to and the way her forehead creases, she’s clearly not pleased at Lance’s response.

“Well if you happen to change your mind…” Alicia whispers, tucking her business card in the chest pocket of his jacket. “My number is on the back.”

Lance is silent as we watch her walk away. Even though I know full well that it’s bad karma, I can’t help but savor the pride that wells up in me that Lance has shut her out, because of me. Me!

“Is she always like that?” Lance asks, turning to me after she’s several feet away.

“That’s only the tip of the iceberg. She’s in love with herself and expects everyone else to be, too. We aren’t what you’d call friends.”

“I should hope not!”

At this, the tension breaks and we both laugh loudly. A number of people look toward us and I once again feel proud that he’s my date. I don’t like that it takes me having a date for people to pay attention to me, because more than a few people have actually noticed me tonight, but for a night with Lance – even if it’s only tonight – it’s totally worth it.

Lance is the kind of guy that I always fall for – and I already have fallen for him – but the kind of guy who always ends up breaking my heart. Handsome, smart, funny…and doomed to ghost me the moment things start getting serious. But right now? If all I get is a night with him, and then show him how to make lasagna, then I’ll take it.

Lance is more perfect than perfect.

The sound of a knife hitting a glass catches my attention and shushes everyone else in the large hotel dining room.

“If I can have your attention please. It is time for speeches and awards.”

Everyone turns their head toward the front of the banquet hall, where the CEO of our company is standing tall, looking commanding in his perfect tux.

“You got this,” Lance says into my ear. Pleasure races through my body when I feel his breath on my neck. This is so the wrong time to be turned on, but I can’t help it. Everyone has been staring at us all night, clearly surprised that I have a date.

“Thank you,” I say, turning to look at him. Our faces are so close, that I can’t help but sigh in pleasure when he kisses me lightly on the lips. “Oh.”

“That was for luck,” he says, grabbing my hand and holding it tightly. “And this is for you.”

Lance presses a small envelope into my hands, a shy smile on his lips. If I didn’t know better, he looks nervous.

“Open it,” he whispers, his fingers stroking my wrist.

Carefully, I open the envelope and pull out a folded piece of letter.

Dear Bernadette,

You may not admit it, but I know tonight means a lot to you. It means a lot to me, too. I’m not fancy with words like you, but I hope my meaning is clear. I have faith in you. You are a stunning woman and there’s something about you that is more captivating than anything. I want to see you, again and again and again. You are a shining light and I know that you will be recognized for your work.

Yours completely,

Lance

Deep emotion overwhelms me, my hands trembling as I read Lance’s letter, his handwriting unexpectedly clear.

“Thank you.” My voice is unsteady as I look at Lance and place my hand along his jaw. He smiles at me, and I know that I don’t need an award, not if I have him by my side.

I completely lose track of the CEO’s speech, then jump when everyone starts clapping.

“What?”

Paul, the co-worker sitting on my left looks at me and shakes his head. “You just won!”

I look at him, stunned beyond belief, then look around and see everyone staring at me.

“I won?” I look around the room, everything suddenly in slow motion as my brain processes what Paul said. “Oh my God! I won!”

“I told you,” Lance says, standing up and offering me his hand. He pulls me to my feet, then kisses me forcefully, in front of everyone. “Now go get your award.”