Chapter 7

Anelise was a bundle of nerves as she stood in front of the mirror. She looked amazing, no doubt about it. Naomi had been spot on about the dress. The heels were just right, and the way she’d styled her hair gave her a sophisticated, grown-up look.

Ollie was engrossed in a movie on the iPad in her room while she got ready. He only looked up when there was a knock on the suite door.

Anelise opened the door to find Sasha, a girl with a friendly face, standing there. After introducing her to Ollie and showing her around, Anelise grabbed her wrap and hopped into the taxi the bellhop had hailed for her.

She was a bundle of nerves and took a few calming breaths before stepping into the restaurant. It was stunning. She was glad she’d been to fancy places with the Rothschilds before, so this place didn’t intimidate her too much.

She handed over her wrap and was led to the semi-private area where the large party was seated. Putting on her bravest face, she smiled and walked toward them.

—

Michael was at the restaurant with Craig, Ken, and a few others, talking sports while they ordered drinks. Anelise had texted him that she was on her way and asked for a glass of red wine.

He was half-listening to a guy talk about soccer when Ken nudged him and pointed toward the front of the restaurant.

Michael looked up to see Anelise walking toward them, looking flawless in a dress that seemed to have been painted on her. After a moment of stunned silence, he leaned over to Craig and whispered, “Well, I’m officially screwed.”

Michael stood up, greeted her with a smile, and gave her a hug. He introduced her to his coworkers and their spouses. Gwen looked like she wanted to kill someone as she took in Anelise, and Michael thought they might have made their point.

He helped Anelise into her seat as the drinks arrived. Every touch, every gentle brush of her hand, sent shockwaves through him, and all he could do was soak up the warmth she was radiating.

After a while, he started reciprocating, and it began to feel real, not like some staged performance.

“So Ani, what do you do?” Howard asked.

“I’m finishing up my master’s in English literature,” she replied. “Writing my thesis here has been an incredible experience.”

“That’s wonderful! What inspires you?” Lenore, Howard’s wife, asked.

Anelise started talking about the Brontë sisters, and she and Lenore were deep in conversation when the waiter came to take their orders.

“How did you and Michael meet?” Lenore asked.

Michael looked at Anelise. She smiled at him before turning to Lenore. “Funny story, actually. Michael moved in next to my parents’ house, and I met him when I was home for a break. We hit it off and have been dating ever since.”

“It must be tough dating long-distance,” Gwen said, looking for an opening.

“It was at first, but we’ve established a good routine. Michael and Ollie come down to Nashville whenever they can, and I go up when my studies allow. We talk on the phone and video chat a lot,” Ani replied.

“And when you click with someone, you just have to see it through,” Michael added.

“You two make a lovely couple!” Lenore said.

“Thank you,” they both said at the same time, grinning at each other.

Anelise was actually enjoying herself at the restaurant. Flirting with Michael was a lot easier than she’d thought it would be, and it seemed to come naturally with him.

Lenore suggested they all go to a cozy coffee and wine bar down the street after dinner. The bar had a charming patio filled with flowers and heaters. Anelise was out there getting some fresh air when she felt Michael behind her.

She turned and smiled as he came closer and leaned on the railing next to her, his shoulder brushing against her arm, soaking up her warmth. “I just wanted to say thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being so amazing tonight. I mean, I’ve loved spending time with you at the hotel and getting to know you. But tonight, you’ve been absolutely incredible,” he said.

She blushed. “Thank you… I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you too, Michael.”

He grinned at her, and she felt herself melting under his gaze. His smile faltered a little as he took a step closer to her, and she swallowed, unsure of what he was going to do next.

He stood in front of her, just inches away, and ran a finger gently down her arm. She watched his movements as if in slow motion, then looked back up at his face and saw an expression she’d never seen before.

“Ani,” he whispered. “You look beautiful.”

She whispered back, “Thank you…”

He looked into her eyes, and she saw the desire in his. She felt like she was melting under his gaze. “Ani, there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you since the day I met you…”

She nodded, feeling his warm hands gently cup her face, his thumbs lightly stroking her cheekbones. “You are so fucking beautiful,” he said in a husky voice, then leaned in and gently kissed her lips.

Anelise felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her body and leaned into him for support. Her mind was racing, and she couldn’t process what was happening.

She’d been kissed by a few boys at school, but none of them had his finesse, his ability to make her feel so much with so little.