42. Chapter 42
Dom
I enter the gala with measured steps. I'm free of my crutches, and now I rely only on the brace to support my knee.
It means I move slowly, but it's easier, and I take a deep breath.
There's something in the air whispering that big things can happen tonight.
Or maybe it's me. I'm in search of my friends now, but my real goal is finding Mariana.
Over the past week, I've wanted to ask her a thousand questions. I've imagined her walking among trees, hoping she'd think of me too. I've checked my phone a thousand times, just in case she texted or called, despite telling her we shouldn't.
Missing her amplified my feelings for her. The same ones that flooded me during the Partners’ Party. Making me ache for the risk I took by the fountain. Fuck, I didn't have enough time to plan, and now I can do nothing but cross my fingers and hope it pays off.
Hands in my pockets, I walk further into the party.
The Strike function this year seems grander than it's ever been.
The theme is ‘Ray of Hope’ and it shows in the decor.
An enormous chandelier hangs from the ceiling, made of a mix of bronze and crystal that, accompanied by its many long arms, cosplays as a star.
Some fancy light tricks must be involved as well, for it looks like radiant streams fall on the event hall in carefully chosen spots.
They direct our eyes to the different charity options, from special items to be auctioned, to small, meaningful gifts rich people will get if they promise a large donation.
I reach the center of the hall, where a fountain has decorated the space in the past. Architectural trickery was in place, since there's no sign of the structure this time.
A large bronze disc turns on its center, with light cascading onto it from the star above it, casting shadows in its design that highlight the theme of youth in sports.
My eyebrows go up high. The sign at its side says it was commissioned to a local artist to be displayed in a prominent spot of a new youth sports center, to be paid for by a collaboration between Selena and the mayor.
Wow. I'm even more impressed than before, and that's saying something.
I hope Mariana's parents see it and understand how amazing Mariana is at her job.
The rest of the space is dimly-lit by mini candles, hidden in floral arches and hanging empty frames, in a dreamy touch I'll have to inspect closer later in the evening. Attendees mill about, with some special guests, including old football legends like Logan's dad and even the mayor himself.
Still alone, I turn around slowly, admiring the decor. Pride for Mariana and her team blooms from the center of my chest. All their hard work resulted in the best Strike gala I've ever attended. I hope she sees it. I hope she's proud too. She got what she wanted out of it.
My boisterous group of friends take me out of my reverie.
They found me and now cheerfully greet me in their very best outfits.
There's no mention of the game the day before— the last game I had to miss.
Most of them didn't play it either, seeing how the team protected them for the playoffs.
The stronger they are, the better the chances we'll get to the big game, and I'll get to play with them again for a chance at our second ring.
And we all get busy talking about how Rafa and Lori arrived holding hands.
Ames grins at them. "And to think only a week ago you were saying you're only friends."
Damn, I guess that makes me the only technically-single one. But if I get it my way, that won't be the case for long.
Rafa and Lori exchange a look that is equal parts playful and hopeful.
"We're still friends," Lori says. "And we're also something new."
"A Christmas miracle, then." Logan's mouth tilts up slightly.
"Does Sofi know?" Evie asks.
"We're trying to explain," Rafa says. "She has a million questions and Lori and I are trying really hard but, for now…"
Lori takes over and explains some more, but I catch sight of Mariana and lose track.
The crowd parts. From across the room, she gives me a brilliant smile and I immediately grin back. Hope fills me in. She cocks her head and invites me to join her, and I quickly make a gesture to my friends and go to her.
Strolling past guests and decor, I follow Mariana who leads from several steps away.
She cast a spell on me. Her hair is in a messy bun at her nape, and though I can't see the necklace she wears, the lock at the base of her neck has shiny stones on it.
A long chain falls from the spot, with more stones hanging from the end and swaying with each step.
She pulled out all the stops with this outfit.
I lick my lips. Wherever we're going, I hope I get a chance to run my hands through the flowy material, dark except for the abstract, flower-like blots of color.
If I can, I'll kiss the curve of her neck and her bare shoulders too.
The way the dress is cut, with a long skirt and tight top, and long, wide sleeves that drape low on her arm, it's like it was designed to magnetize my lips and draw them to all that skin.
She checks I'm still following, and gives me a coy smile when our eyes lock.
Of course I'm in pursuit of her. Like always.
Already imagining how I'd go about that kiss— my hands on her shoulders, keeping her close.
Still. Then I'd drop my mouth to that spot where her shoulders meet her neck.
Then higher, where I might feel her pulse under my lips.
Lick it, and hope for a moan to cross her lips.
God, I've missed her.
So when she walks into a darkened corner, I trace her steps and go in there without a second thought.
It's a spot between the floral arches. Those little candles turn out to be electric, hidden among the leaves and white blooms, giving it a hint of magical touch.
Dreamy indeed. I take a single moment to bemoan our lack of privacy— we're mostly hidden here, but not completely.
That's why it surprises me that she surrounds my neck with her arms and, getting up to the tip of her heels, she kisses me.
I put my hands on her waist and pull her in for an extra kiss. "Feeling brave after missing me so much?"
"Something like that," she says with a smile.
"I'm guessing your parents are not around?"
"Last time I saw them was at the other side of the hall." She gazes around and gets another kiss out of me. "And you look handsome. I think I like my odds."
"If you're feeling lucky tonight— like nothing can touch you— it's because you deserve it. This gala is spectacular."
"You really think so?"
If she's fishing for compliments, I'll shower her with them.
"I've been to many of these parties and this is by far the best one." I smile too.
She softens against me. "Tell me more."
"You did amazing, Mari. Truly impressive."
She sighs. Her face takes on a sweet, relieved gesture.
We may be in a shaded spot, but the decorative garden allows enough light in that I can see every detail.
Her skin is tinted in oranges from the fake candles, her pupils are wide, and her lips curl into a satisfied smile.
She's so beautiful it hurts. It's yearning, I know.
I'm not sure where we're going from here and, man. I don't want to lose her.
"You know what else?" My question comes out in a breath.
"Mhh?"
"I'm proud it's me who you're with right now."
"Right now as in, this very moment… or right now because of our arrangement?"
"Do I need to choose?"
"You don't have to. As long as we have that conversation soon. The one you proposed at the luncheon."
Hope shines around her like a halo. She gazes at me with open eyes and I let myself get lost in them. My heart skips a beat, then resumes operations fast and hard, knocking against my sternum like it's desperate to ask me a question.
But we can't really talk here.
"If you leave with me tonight," I say, "we can chat about all of this properly tomorrow morning. In bed together. How does that sound?"
"It sounds tempting." Her smile widens, but there's a hint of nerves to the line of her mouth.
Her necklace is a simple, thin chain with several colorful crystals hanging from it in a cluster. It's off-kilter. Gently, I fix it so the pendant hangs in its right place.
I drop a quick, soft kiss on her lips. "Just tell me how we can make this happen. I'll go to your place if you want. Just tell me when you make it there. Doesn't matter the time."
"No, it's okay." She gazes down to my tuxedo and fixes my tie this time, even if I don't think it was askew. "I'll go to your place. The key code still works, right?"
"Yes, but I'll wait. We can go to my place together."
"I don't know what time I'll be done and with your knee I don't want you to have to stand around…"
I sigh. "Just come home to me, okay?"
"Okay." She nods and gives me one last kiss. "I have to go before people start looking for me."
She moves like she's going to leave, and I'm about to pull her to me, too weak to resist one last kiss, when I see her parents standing at the other side of the floral arrangement. Looking at us.
My eyes lock with Alicia's. Then James'.
"What?" Mariana asks me.
She doesn't wait for my answer. She follows my eyes.
"Fuck," she mutters.
After weeks of trying to prevent this very thing, her parents have learned there's something between us. Undeniably. And not because we chose to tell them. Now they take deliberate steps our way, in what seems an almost certain intent to ask a hundred questions from us.
They first have to round the arrangements to get into our little corner, and they don't rush. Mariana and I have a few seconds.
"I guess we're doing this now," she blinks up at me. "I hoped that after we talked—"
"Mari. Listen," I say quickly. "I'm going to talk to them. If I mess up, promise you and I will talk about it afterwards. Properly. Alone."
"What?"
Her parents are almost within reach.