Chapter 34 Life is a Ball
The mayor’s ball was held in his elaborate mansion not too far away from Mrs. Meyer’s not-quite-so-elaborate mansion. Andrea was used to walking into beautiful homes from her years in Hollywood, but she was still awed by the architectural features and beautiful decorations. She could’ve wondered around for hours exploring the large home if Case wasn’t so eager to introduce her to everyone.
He had connections in Seattle’s circle of elites, that was for sure. “My mom used to date one of the commissioners,” he explained quietly as she shook hands with yet another middle-aged couple with more money than they knew what to do with.
Once they walked away, Andrea asked, “Where is your mother, anyway? Isn’t she supposed to be here?”
“Mother likes to take fashionably late to a new extreme,” he explained.
Andrea nodded, not at all complaining that Rhonda wasn’t there yet. She had seen Shayna earlier with her date, someone Edward had set her up with since she wasn’t currently seeing anyone. He looked a little too old for her, but wasn’t bad looking, and Shayna seemed to be having a good time.
“Want a drink?” Case asked, spying a waiter with a tray of champagne flutes nearby.
“Yes, please!” Andrea was hoping to ring in the new year slightly tipsy—not drunk, but happier than she would otherwise be. Case grabbed both of them a drink, and Andrea had just let the liquid wet her tongue when she heard a shriek behind her.
“Oh, my God! It’s Andrea Sparks!”
Almost choking, Andrea managed to swallow. “Are you okay?” Case asked, patting her back.
“Fine, fine.” She coughed a few times and turned to see a pair of teenage girls who couldn’t have been older than sixteen gawking at her. “Hello.”
“Wow—I can’t believe it’s you!” the one on the left said, her eyes bulging.
“You’re amazing!” the other added. From the looks of it, they were sisters. Both had big brown eyes and long brown hair that had been curled for the occasion.
“Thank you.” Andrea smiled, but she was really hoping to do without this today. She just wanted to be Case’s date, not a celebrity.
“Andrea, these are Mayor Patrick’s daughters, Stacia and Chloe.”
“Oh, I see.” That made sense. She hadn’t seen many other teens here, but of course, the mayor’s daughters would be at his party. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“We are such huge fans!” Stacia, the taller one, said. “Can we take a pic with you? My IG will be so lit!”
“Of course.”
One of the girls produced a phone out of a hidden pocket in her dress. Case volunteered to take the picture, but the girls insisted on taking about twenty before they were satisfied that their duck lips were on fleek. Then, they bounded off across the room and were gone as quickly as they’d appeared.
“Well, that was fun,” Andrea mumbled. She looked around the room for other potential fans and didn’t see anyone. She did note Rhonda and Edward had arrived. Case’s mother was talking to an older woman who looked just as stuck up as Mrs. Meyer, but one eye was on Andrea. She could feel the glare from across the room.
Andrea plucked another flute of champagne off a passing tray and drank it down a little faster than she probably should have. With a stare that intense fixed on her, it would be a long night.
“Would you like to dance?” Case asked, gesturing toward a dance floor set up across the large room.
“Certainly.” She finished her drink and disposed of the glass before taking Case’s hand and gliding alongside him to where several other couples were dancing. A small ensemble was set up in the corner playing instrumental versions of well-known love songs. When Case wrapped his arms around her, Andrea recognized “The Way You Look Tonight.”
Instantly, she forgot all about Mrs. Meyer and her dreadful glare. She forgot about the rabid fans and the millionaires she’d met. The only other person in the room, in the world, was Case.
Looking into his green eyes, it was hard to believe she’d ever doubted he’d been sincere with his pursuit of her. It seemed so silly to think Sarah could’ve somehow managed to arrange all of this—a “chance” meeting at the airport, the snow, the long drive. All of it would’ve been so difficult to orchestrate. Yet, Case seemed so perfect. There just had to be something wrong with him—some secret he was hiding.
“Is everything okay?” he asked, tipping his head to the side to catch her attention.
“Yes, everything is great. Everything is… perfect.”
He smiled, as if to say he agreed, and Andrea tried to let her worries go. For tonight at least, she’d just enjoy the moment, be in his arms, let the his masculine scent surround her, and consider what it would be like to stay there forever. At the moment, she couldn’t think of another place she’d rather be.
They spent more time dancing and sipping champagne than mingling with the other guests. Near midnight, local photographers showed up, which made her nervous, but Case said they were their to take pictures of the local celebrities and they probably wouldn’t even notice her. She hoped that he was right. Being seen with Case was only a problem because his ex was a problem.
As midnight approached, they all gathered on the back patio for fireworks. It was a bit chilly, so Case had his arms around her, and she leaned back into his chest, reveling in the warmth of his embrace.
They counted down the final ten seconds, and at midnight, everyone shouted, “Happy New Year!” as fireworks lit up the sky.
Andrea turned around. Looking him in the eyes, she said, “Happy New Year, Case.”
“Happy New Year, Andrea.”
He found her lips with his, and she welcomed him, her hand sliding up the back of his neck and tangling in his short brown hair. For a moment, in the flashing lights, Andrea was completely and utterly lost in this amazing man who’d come into her life out of nowhere. If the rest of the year was anything like this, “happy” was not going to do it justice.
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