Chapter 17 The Gala

• Willow's POV
• The room was aglow with chandeliers, crystal, and light sparkling across the expansive ballroom. I felt a little like Cinderella, stepping out of the car with Jason and Ruby, the weight of the evening buzzing through me. The dress, a deep red satin that clung to my figure and flowed around my feet was enough to make me feel glamorous, but also exposed. Jason glanced at me and muttered, “You look incredible,” before turning to offer Ruby his arm.
• The warmth in his gaze was genuine, and for a moment, it lingered, making me wonder if I imagined it. As quickly as it came, his expression hardened, replaced by a more professional detachment. The night was about networking, he’d reminded me, and I clung to that reminder now. I was here for work, not personal dreams or complications.