H'S

hing but a towel. He was soaking wet, his hair slick

ing?" I asked, panic

g mine. "I won't tell anyone,"

sition for you," he said, his voice serious. "I'll keep

of curiosity and trepidation. "What's the ca

come Party," he said, a slight smile

proposal. "Your date?" I

fidently. "Ye

t it. Maybe going to the Welcome Party with Ian could be a fresh start for me, a chan

oposition. "What do you say?" he as

t a d

his deal, I was

my date at the Welcome Party? I thou

to the attention and glamour that se

owd rather than being the center of attention. This arrang

re are so many other women who would jump

ecause there's something different about you, L

status or wealth. You have strength and resilience that I admir

t found none. His words were honest and sincere, an

n me?" I asked, still skeptical. "

his," he replied. "A true friend, an ally, a confid

if you're sure about it, then I suppose I'll be your date," I resp

nervous. How could I possibly fit in at such a high-society event? I didn't have

ctly tailored suit, I couldn't help but feel a little more confide

ul," he said, smi

ou, Ian,

s. I don't thin

nerves and excitement. I had never been to an event

calming. "You're going to be just fine. You're strong and

f reassurance from anyone else could have. I took a deep

e, I'll be here to have your back," he said, h

taking a deep bre

. "That's the spirit," he sai

w them what w

look at us, their eyes full of curiosity and envy. But I kept my

r. The room was full of people dressed in fine clothes and jewels

gh, reminding myself that I wa

rains of music. Everyone was dressed in their finest, laughing and chatting as if they hadn't a

ticed a few people looking in our direction, whisperin

his voice soothing. "They're just jeal

felt my confidence growing with each step we

e him choose me to be his date? What was his angle? I pushe