Chapter 202
Ellie’s POV
Dominic stared at my outfit.
So did everyone else.
I maintained my smile as I walked up to him, acting for all the world like i had no idea that I was currently sticking out like a sore thumb. As if putting on my most mismatched, inappropriate, ill-fitting outfit was just another Tuesday for me.
The moment I walked up to him, Dominic grabbed my hand, pulling me aside.
“Ellie, you have got to tell me what’s going on with you,” he whispered.
“What do you mean?” I blinked up at him innocently.
“What do you mean, what do I mean?” he whispered. He gestured to me. “Ellie, this isn’t like you at all. This is a formal event. Besides, I thought you liked to dress up.”
I pushed my lower lip out in a pout. “What? I thought… I thought I looked good.” I spoke just loud enough for the others around us to hear, trying to paint it like I was genuinely innocent in the matter, and that Dominic was the jerk for not supporting my choices.
He opened his mouth, clearly wanting to say something, but shut it again.
“You know what?” he said. “Fine. You look beautiful. Just… stay by my side tonight, at least? And maybe don’t act like you hate me for a few hours?”
“Can I keep my sneakers on if I do?”
“Sure. Whatever.” With that, he took my hand and pressed it against his arm, drawing me close. My heart spiked a little at the feeling of his warmth through his suit jacket, but I ignored the sensation and followed
him inside.
The gala was exactly what I expected; finely dressed guests milling around, waiters weaving through the crowd with trays of champagne and hors d’oeuvres, a woman in a sparkling red gown singing low jazz tunes into the microphone while she played the piano.
For all intents and purposes, it was a nice party. I would never admit it out loud, but I was sort of disappointed with myself for making such a statement with my outfit. Not just because people were staring and whispering-which they were, especially the women-but because I almost felt like the exact thing
Dominic had called me earlier.
A brat.
For a moment, I almost wondered if I had taken things too far. The way people were looking at us was nothing short of dumbfounded, as if they were trying to decide if I really was this much of an airhead or if it was some kind of social statement.
And the worst part of all of it was that Dominic, despite everything, was still acting like the perfect gentleman.
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“You really do look beautiful,” he said, grabbing two flutes of champagne from a passing waiter and handing one to me. “It’s honestly not that bad of an outfit.”
I rolled my eyes and took a sip, feeling the bubbles tickle the back of my throat. “You’re just saying that to butter me up.”
“Well, is it working?”
I couldn’t help it. I felt the tiniest smile tug at my lips despite myself. Dominic noticed and smirked, placing my hand back on his arm. I deliberately dug my nails into his arm just to piss him off, but he didn’t react.
That was what sucked the most: the fact that, despite everything, he was still being so… pleasant toward me. Telling me I looked beautiful. Putting his arm around my waist and dragging his thumb across my hip, making me bite the inside of my cheek. Leaning in and whispering to me. Introducing me to anyone we
talked to.
Even when I laughed too loud and made awkward comments and intentionally spilled my drink on another Alpha’s shoes, he didn’t insult me or get angry. Annoyed, perhaps, but never angry. Never cruel.
And for a little while, it really did feel normal between us. As if I could forget about the contract and the sneakers and a past life that I wished never happened.
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