Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Just make the first move, she thought.
The eve of the gala arrived, and Scarlet found herself fidgeting on the sidewalk in front of the flat, with Nora at her side. They waited for their ride, courtesy of Andrej Brevic.
Scarlet still wasn’t ready for a reception in her honor. It wasn’t anything she was used to, and she certainly didn’t know how to prepare for it.
Scarlet felt uncomfortable in the gown Edward North had picked out.
It was a lace and tulle evening dress that cascaded to her shins in soft layers of cream and gray.
Her top was accented with a midnight blue ribbon that wrapped around her midsection and up to her shoulders, where it formed straps.
It was much too fancy for her, and almost felt like one of the ballet costumes in which she had dreamed of dancing in.
She didn’t feel fancy enough to wear it, and she wasn’t thrilled to be wearing high heels, since her big toe was acting up in revolt with her endless practicing. The nail had cracked down the middle, and would fall off completely in a matter of days.
To keep calm, she kept her thoughts on Alex, and how she was inexorably attracted to him.
“Stop fidgeting,” Nora whispered.
“I can’t help it,” Scarlet responded.
The temperature had warmed a little, so she didn’t bother grabbing anything to cover her shoulders. The night air felt good on her skin.
Behind them, one of Alex’s men sat perched on the front stairs, flipping the lid of a lighter up and down, looking up and down the street. He introduced himself as Roland Wrightworth, but didn’t say much else.
“What’s with the stand-in?” Nora asked, shifting her costume bag.
Scarlet shrugged. “Alex said he would meet me at the venue. Why do you care?”
Nora smirked at her.
“What?” Scarlet asked.
“You know what.” Nora playfully pushed her.
Roland cleared his throat, getting to his feet. “Limo’s here.”
The car pulled up and Yuri jumped out. He walked toward the back of the limo, straightened his suit jacket, flashed a smile, and opened the door for the women.
“Evening, ladies,” he bowed, slightly.
“Thanks for the pickup, Yur,” Nora took a step, but turned away from Yuri and threw her costume bag into Roland’s arms.
“Can you get that? Thanks.” She batted her eyes at him before climbing into the limo.
Roland turned to Scarlet. “Remind me again, which one of you is the diva?”
Scarlet suppressed a chuckle and shrugged at Roland before hurrying after her friend.
Roland let out a sigh as he sat down in the passenger seat with Nora’s belongings.
Nora kept the knowing smirk on her face for the duration of the car ride, but Scarlet remained silent.
Scarlet caught a glance of the Yuri looking at her through the rearview. He winked at her, making her blush. She lowered her gaze to her hands and began to mess with the fabric of her dress. She felt very out of sorts and her anxiety sat low in her chest.
The ride to the Palace Hotel wasn’t very long.
The historic hotel off Market Street was lit up with the night’s festivities.
Scarlet spied the long wall banners displaying her face.
A shiver of excitement enveloped her body.
She closed her eyes, remembering when she used to practice in her grandmother’s studio.
Scarlet remembered that clumsy little girl, who worked hard every day to become a graceful ballerina.
This is unreal. It’s more than a dream.
The prima position and all it entailed had been a flight of imagination for Scarlet.
It was always unreachable because of a list of imperfections bestowed upon her by past instructors.
She didn’t listen to them, and Edward saw through all of it.
He gave her a chance, he and paved the way to this moment.
Scarlet opened her eyes, sitting back in her seat.
Nora leaned over Scarlet to get a better look out the window.
“I don’t remember the gala being this big last year,” Nora commented. “That’s a good thing, right?”
The limo pulled up to the curb, and the driver got out. Scarlet gazed up at the curved arches over the doors, and suddenly a strange sense of panic replaced the excitement.
Nora’s hand rested on her shoulder and pushed. “This will be a fun night,” she whispered. “I know it.”
Scarlet swallowed her nerves and emerged from the car. Roland, the stand-in, made his way to the door, holding it open for the women.
Scarlet was supposed to meet up with Ivan, who had the role of Apollo. Then Edward was supposed to introduce him before. However, when she entered the building, she saw Alex there, waiting.
His eyes locked with hers, and her breath caught in her throat. He was dressed in a classic black suit and tie. He looked deliciously handsome, standing in the full elegance of the hotel.
Scartlet’s cheeks flushed, and her thoughts traveled back to the Library dance floor. She could still feel the rush as she teased Alex, lifting her skirt for him. That confidence was gone, and only raw nerves were in its place.
She watched Alex’s gaze travel up and down her body. “Miss Rush,” he said. “You look…” He shook his head slightly. “You look very pretty.”
“She’s gorgeous, isn’t she?” Nora gushed. “Belle of the ball.”
Alex smiled and nodded. “Absolutely.”
Nora clasped her friend’s hand in her own and gave her a peck on the cheek. “I have to go get suited up and hope there’s at least a little room to warm up. I’ll find you after the performance.”
“Okay,” Scarlet said. “Break a leg.”
“Broken bones are never a factor!” Nora called as she grabbed her costume bag from Roland, and hurried up the nearest staircase.
Once she was gone, Alex nodded at Roland. “Lance is in the court area,” he said. “Meet up with them and see what he needs you to do.”
Roland gave Alex a lazy nod, walking off in the opposite direction.
“None of you are very talkative.” Scarlet smiled.
Alex’s eyes shifted away from her. “Follow me.” He motioned to a hallway off to the right.
Scarlet smiled and reached for his forearm. “Lead the way.”
He hesitated and looked down as she looped her arm firmly through his. Scarlet could sense the tension, so she gave him a reassuring squeeze.
“Everything okay?” she asked.
“Yes, it’s just…” He stared straight ahead as he carefully unwound his arm from hers. “I don’t want people to get the wrong idea.”
Ouch. She studied Alex’s face for a moment as he kept his attention elsewhere. His expression was blank, and she couldn’t read him.
“Fine.” Scarlet took a step away and narrowed her eyes. “Just walk ten steps ahead of me like you’re paid to do.”
The anger spike had come out of nowhere, and she heard it in her voice. Alex flinched at the outburst.
He just wasn’t interested, it was clear. Whatever moments she thought they’d had over the past few days meant nothing to him.
He’s your bodyguard, not your friend.
“I just meant—” Alex started.
“It’s fine.” Scarlet motioned for Alex to lead the way.
The back way to the reception room was devoid of people, and Scarlet knew this was the last of the calm before the storm. She followed Alex to a door.
The tightness in her chest returned. She held her breath, willing it to pass.
“Are you okay?” Alex asked.
“Yes,” she said quickly, opening her eyes. “Yes, everything is good.”
She wanted to push him away so she wasn’t thinking of him all the time. He had gotten into her head, and now he wouldn’t leave. Having him close and disinterested was just torture.
No, she thought. This is my night. This is about me. Be selfish, be vain. That’s what they want anyway, right? Be the mysterious ballerina, the “it” girl, the one everyone talks about. Be that.
As much as Scarlet was trying to psych herself up, it wasn’t working.
She opened the door and entered the lounge. Armand, Edward, Madame Adele, and Ivan stood around in a circle. They turned to acknowledge her.
“Ah, good, she’s here.” Edward winked. “And looking utterly flawless.”
Madame Adele gave her a once over, nodding her approval. “Good choice on the dress, Edward. It accents all the right parts of her body.”
Scarlet nodded despite the woman’s veiled insult. Ivan glided over to her with his arms open. He was his own force to be reckoned with. He never turned off his performance face. Scarlet wasn’t sure if it was because he was fake, or he just loved being a ballet dancer that much.
“Ma chère.” He kissed her hand and threw her a dashing smile. “Si belle.”
Although he had dated Logan on and off, Ivan liked to boast he went either way, and that meant flirting with anything that moved.
Alex watched the man make a grand bow before taking Scarlet’s arm and looking at his reflection in a nearby mirror.
Edward nodded to Alex. “Everything set?”
“Yes, sir,” he replied.
Alex’s gaze traveled to Scarlet’s. The glance sent a shiver of want down her spine. She wanted to know what he was thinking. She wanted him to escort her into the garden court instead of Ivan. She wanted to touch him. She wanted to kiss his lips, and feel his arms around her.
But it didn’t happen. Instead, she stuck to Ivan’s side and went through all the motions.
Scarlet was soon swept into the fray. She couldn’t stop to think for even a moment as the lavish party spun around her.
Edward showed her off. She had met a hundred people.
There was no way she would remember any of them.
The faces were all a blur, and the attention was exhausting.
She wouldn’t be formally introduced to the entire party until right before the performance, and she appreciated there was little time to think about Alex.
Andrej Brevic joined up with them, making a point to tell Scarlet how pretty she looked. There was small talk, more compliments, flashes of cameras, and Scarlet didn’t have to remind herself to smile. It was automatic once she was in the spotlight.
The night dimmed a little when Lyn Delaney made her pose for photos with her daughter.
“Edward.” She approached the group with Victoria on her arm. Scarlet wanted to roll her eyes at the matching shimmering gold gowns they wore.