29. MOONLIGHT GALA
MOONLIGHT GALA
KARSON
A handful of stars twinkled determinedly through a sliver in the stormy night sky. Looming rain clouds formed a canopy over the hundreds of guests laughing and dancing in their finery at the gala below.
But there was only one guest that I cared about. I scanned the crowd hungrily, searching, hoping she’d accepted my invitation. I drew a deep breath, but it did nothing to settle the ache in my chest. She might not come. But she might.
A thrill shot through me as I conjured up a thousand different scenarios for what might happen if she came. But my blood turned cold at the thought of losing her forever if she didn’t.
I studied the elegant crowd, draped in tuxedos and eye-catching gowns. We were all at the same party, but while they sipped champagne and laughed, I haunted the edges of the crowd like a human radar, desperate for even a glimpse of her.
I watched from the sidelines as guests twisted and turned across the dance.
Beyond it, a fleet of butlers wove amongst the crowd, leaving a trail of delicacies and champagne in their wake.
The fairy lights glowed overhead, I breathed in the smell of jasmine and hibiscus drifting through warm night air as the music played.
I moved among the guests, scanning every face for hers, until I discovered a pair of chunky black boots amid the forest of legs. My heart soared as my gaze traveled slowly up the boots, only to find a stranger. My heart plummeted.
Maybe I really have lost her—
“Distinguished guests,” Dyson said, his voice carrying over the microphone, “thank you for coming.”
A cheer rose from the crowd.
“You all look spectacular, and it’s an absolute pleasure to have you here.
As you can see”—he gestured to the others onstage—“I have some special guests with me tonight. Please put your hands together and help me welcome our very first investors.” Dyson adjusted the microphone as the guests broke into applause.
“Without your faith from the outset,” he continued, “BioBuild wouldn’t be what it is today.” A grin tugged at his mouth. “Not to mention, we wouldn’t be standing here now, millions of dollars richer.”
Peals of laughter rang out as the crowd broke into applause.
“But enough about business. Tonight, I have a very special surprise for you all. It’s my way of saying thank you.
” His lips spread into a beaming smile. “Let me give you a hint. She’s five foot two, sings, and looks, like an angel.
” He gestured toward the side of the stage.
“Friends and guests, it gives me great pleasure to introduce tonight’s performer! ”
A young woman with a signature ponytail skipped onto the stage, blowing a flurry of kisses into the crowd as they roared with excitement.
The audience quickly fell silent as she launched straight into her opening number. Her voice soared while backup dancers in black tuxedos moved in perfect rhythm behind her.
Her white tassel dress shimmered as she stamped across the stage in stiletto boots. The audience watched in awe as she performed four more songs before announcing a brief intermission and vanishing backstage.
The butlers resumed their paths through the crowd below the stage as I did another hopeful sweep for Ivy. My gaze drifted back to the same spot I’d started.
My hands were clammy. She’s a no-show. It’s game over—
“Hey, you’re up,” Dyson said, stopping beside me. “Time for your speech, get up there and have your moment.” He nudged me toward the stage.
She’s not coming. I closed my eyes and, with a vigorous headshake, dragged myself back into the moment.
This was about BioBuild’s success, and I wanted to congratulate my closest friend on his ingenuity. I stepped onto the stage, reaching for the microphone as the sea of faces waited expectantly.
“Good evening.” I looked out across the crowd. “I’m Karson Wells. Are you all having a wonderful time?”
Cheers erupted from the audience. I waited for them to fade. “Please join me in taking a moment to recognize the founder.” I extended an arm toward my oldest friend. “Dyson Khan.”
Clearly delighted, he nodded his thanks to the audience before turning to me with an appreciative look.
“For as long as I’ve known Dyson, he’s been ahead of the curve. He was forever building his empire and made it onto the top five hundred rich list before we even graduated high school. We all invested in his schemes, mostly just so he’d stop talking about them for five minutes.”
The crowd broke into laughter. I glanced at him. He flashed his signature pearly grin, lifted his palms, and gave an unapologetic shrug, drawing another wave of laughter from the audience.
“What can I say?” Dyson chuckled.
“Seriously. Well done, Dyson. Thanks to your commitment and innovative thinking, BioBuild has accelerated through the industry and millions of people are benefiting,” I said, my eyes drifting back across the sea of faces.
I stopped dead, my heart slamming against my chest.
There she is. And she’s breathtaking.
She practically glowed beneath the white lights. Sequins and tiny crystals scattered across her dress shimmered like stars. But as beautiful as the dress was… it paled beside her radiance.
I took in her wavy caramel hair spilling over her shoulders, and those eyes… the very ones I couldn’t get out of my head.
Her gaze lifted toward the stage and caught mine.
I swallowed hard and summoned every ounce of willpower to keep myself from running off the stage.
“Everyone,” I said, unable to control the grin spreading across my face, “there’s somebody here I want to introduce to you tonight. Not only is she very special to me personally, but she’s also an all-around remarkable woman and an award-winning model.”
Keeping my eyes locked on her, I stretched my open hand toward her. “Allow me to present the lovely, Ivy Lawrence.”
The lights found her, drawing the attention of the crowd. Her small smirk blossomed into a radiant smile, and with a hand over her heart, she shook her head from side to side.
“Please,” I said, unable to take my eyes off her, “join me up here, Ivy.”
Covering her cheeks with her hands, she mouthed, “No.”
I pressed my hand against my heart and mouthed, “Please.”
Shouts of encouragement rang out from the crowd.
“Folks, put your hands together for Ivy.”
The spotlight stayed fixed on her as the crowd chanted, “Ivy, Ivy” over and over.
Glancing around, she laughed and, with a small shrug, made her way toward me. When she reached the stairs, the security guard escorted her to the top.
My pulse quickened as she stepped onto the stage, and I tipped my face toward the sky mouthing, “Thanks.”
When I looked back at her, she was inching closer.
I held out my hand, and she slipped hers into it. The second my fingers closed around hers, my heart settled into a normal rhythm. When she looked at me, a thrill traveled up my spine.
Suddenly I could breathe. The world felt whole again.
“Karson,” she whispered, the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard.
I wanted to drop to my knees, beg for her forgiveness. She was the only one I wanted. If she forgave me I’d be the happiest man on earth.
The crowd stomped their feet, whooped, and whistled, shouting calls of approval. Squeezing her hand gently, I raised our joined hands high as we turned to face them.
“Everyone, I can’t compete with the last act,” I said, chuckling, “but if you’ll allow me, there’s a song I’d like to sing. For Ivy.”
“C’mon!” someone hollered from the crowd.
“Let’s hear it,” another shouted excitedly.
Reluctantly, I let go of her hand, brushing the backs of my fingers lightly along her arm before walking toward the side of the stage.
I settled onto the bench of the grand piano, my hands hovering above the keys. I closed my eyes for a second and, taking a breath, pressed down softly.
Pale moonlight washed over everyone as it spilled from the sky as I played the opening notes of our familiar old song as my thoughts drifted back to the night we met. The words poured out of me, it was like déjà vu.
The warm look in her eyes unlocked all the love and passion I’d bottled up for so long, every note swept everything else aside.
Stepping closer, she brushed her fingers across my cheek.
As my fingers moved across the keys, she slid onto the stool beside me, and we sang the next verse together. Those beautiful green eyes found mine—just like the first night we met—and I knew I was exactly where I belonged.
She leaned against me and I fought the urge to tear my hands from the keys and wrap her in my arms.
Our eyes locked as the last notes fell from our lips, vanishing into the night. For a heartbeat there was silence. Then a few soft claps escalated into thunderous applause, splintered only by hoots of approval.
Turning to face her, I pulled her into my arms before we clung to one another.
My lips traced lightly across her cheek before drifting lower to her neck. Trembling, her back arched against the palm of my hand resting on her lower back.
I breathed in her fragrance—a warm, musky blend of cinnamon and vanilla—then lifted my face back to hers. Her breath warmed my skin as she inched closer and pressed her soft lips to mine.
The taste of her kiss was intoxicating, like a hit straight to my veins. My heart thundered as her arms tightened around me. I never wanted her to let go.
The crowd burst into wild applause as electricity crackled between us. Pulled from the vortex of our kiss, we turned toward them and dissolved into breathless laughter.
“Let’s dance,” she whispered. Taking my hand, she pulled me toward the stairs.
I grinned at Dyson, who leaned into the microphone, smiling at us as we hurried down the stairs.
“Thank you, Karson and Ivy… or should I say Romeo and Juliet?”
Peals of laughter echoed all around.
“Now, ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, let’s welcome back tonight’s main act.”