“I’d be happy to donate,” Molly murmured. She’d gotten the emerald-green floor-length gown at a steeply reduced price, so she had a little extra money to spare.
“Let’s go say hello to the guest of honor,” Kara murmured, drawing Molly toward the large group gathered in the center of the ballroom. Kara was far more outgoing than she was, and she often wished she had the same confidence.
After signing the pledge card to donate funds for the clinic, she smiled and chatted with the other guests, feeling a little like a fraud. This wasn’t the type of place she normally hung out at. No, she was far more at home eating pizza at places like Fun and Games.
She caught sight of a familiar dark-haired woman in the crowd and stopped dead in her tracks. Sally? Was that really her sister, Sally, standing there with her fiancé?
Before she could turn away, Sally glanced over and saw her. There was momentary confusion on her face before recognition dawned. Instantly, Sally took her fiancé’s arm and dragged him over to where Molly was standing.
“Molly! What a surprise to see you here!” Her sister gave her a quick hug before turning toward her fiancé. “Mike, you remember my sister, Molly, don’t you?”
“Of course. How are you, Molly?” Mike asked.
She forced a smile to her face, trying not to point out that the last time they’d talked had been three months ago, at Christmas. “I’m fine, doing great. Busy at work as usual.”
“Yeah, Sally’s been busy at work, too,” Mike said. She wasn’t surprised, as Sally worked on the orthopedic floor as a nurse. “Angel’s is always hopping, that’s for sure.”
“Molly, guess what?” Sally gushed. “Mike and I are officially engaged!”
She didn’t let on that she’d already seen the engagement notice in the paper. “Really? Oh, Sally, that’s wonderful. I’m so happy for both of you.”
“Thanks.” Sally held out her hand, and Molly oohed and ahhed over the sparkling diamond.
“He totally surprised me, didn’t you, Mike?” Sally said with a laugh. “Not that I’m complaining or anything.”
“Aw, that’s so sweet. Congratulations to both of you,” Molly said, meaning every word. Even though they hadn’t included her when they’d first gotten engaged, she was truly thrilled for them. Her sister deserved to be happy.
“Thanks, Molly. We had the best Valentine’s Day ever, didn’t we, darling?” Sally linked her arm with Mike’s. “Oh, look, there’s Aaron Carmichael. Come on, Mike, I’ll introduce you. See you later, Molly,” her sister tossed over her shoulder, before dragging her intended away.
For a long moment Molly couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. Valentine’s Day? Sally and Mike had gotten engaged on Valentine’s Day? Almost a month ago?
And no one had called her? Not even her parents?
Tears burned her eyes and she spun round and hurried out of the ballroom, intending to seek privacy in the ladies’ room. But in her hurry to escape she plowed into a broad chest. “Excuse me,” she murmured, trying to pull away.
But strong hands gripped her shoulders. “Molly? What is it? What’s wrong?”
Belatedly, she recognized Dan’s voice and his familiar musky scent. In some part of her mind she was surprised he was there, but at the same time she was too upset to wonder about that. And when he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, she closed her eyes against the tears and rested her forehead against his chest.
“Shh, it’s okay. Whatever happened, I’m sure it will be okay,” he murmured.
She wished she believed him, but she knew firsthand there was no way to make someone love you. To care about you. She was so steeped in her misery she barely noticed when he led her away to a small private alcove out of range from prying eyes.
Dan had nearly swallowed his tongue when he’d entered the ballroom of the Ritz Carlton and seen Molly dressed in a figure-hugging emerald-green dress, revealing curves he’d only dreamed about.
But then he’d realized she was crying and he’d immediately scowled, searching for the person who’d upset her. He figured it was the guy who’d broken things off with her last year.
The jerk.
Although he was glad the jerk was a jerk because otherwise she wouldn’t be available. Just then she’d barreled into his chest and he’d caught her close, more than willing to hold her in his arms.
Although he wished she was here for some other reason than the fact that she was struggling not to cry. After Suzy, he’d avoided women’s tears like the plague. After all, his ex had turned them on and off at will, using them like a weapon.
But Molly’s tears were different. For one thing, she was hiding them from him, as if she was embarrassed. And for another he could feel her body tense, deep breaths shuddering through her as she struggled to get herself back in control.
“I’m sorry I got your tux wet,” she whispered, pulling away and sniffling loudly. She brushed her hand over his suit, as if to wipe away the evidence of her tears.
“I couldn’t care less about the tux, Molly,” he chided softly. He used his thumbs to wipe the dampness from her cheeks. “I hate seeing you so upset.”
She tried to smile, although he didn’t have the heart to tell her it was a pathetic attempt at best. She straightened and glanced around. “Where’s the bathroom? I need to fix my face.”
There was nothing wrong with her face that he could see. “Molly, you look beautiful, as always. But if you really need to go into the ladies’ room, it’s across the hallway.”
“Thanks.” This time her smile was genuine as she touched his arm lightly. “I’ll be back in a few minutes, okay?”
“I’m not going anywhere,” he promised before she hurried away.
And he didn’t move, not even an inch, until he saw her emerge from the bathroom a few minutes later. As before, she took his breath away, only now she was truly radiant as she smiled and nodded at a couple walking past.
His mouth went dry as she approached and he was glad to see that all evidence of her brief crying jag had vanished from her face. Except for the hint of sadness shadowing her eyes.
“I lost my glass of champagne,” she announced. “How about we go in and find one of those cute waiters carrying trays filled with glasses?”
He chuckled and took her hand in his so they could stroll back into the ballroom side by side. “Far be it for me to stand in the way of you and a glass of champagne.”
They found a waiter without too much trouble and Dan picked up two glasses, handing one to Molly. “Here you go. Did you come alone tonight?” He was proud of his casual tone.
Molly took a big gulp of champagne and shook her head. “No, I met up with my friend Kara Holmes. She’s here, someplace.”
He frowned, trying to place the name. “Does she work at Angel’s, too?”
“Yes, she’s a nurse in the neonatal unit. She’s over by the bar, talking to one of the new doctors on staff.” Molly took another sip of her champagne, catching his gaze over the rim of her glass. “Do you mind if I ask you a question?”
He raised his eyebrows. “Of course not.”
“When you asked me if I had plans on Friday night …” She hesitated, then said, “Were you planning to come here all along?”
For some odd reason he wanted to grin. “Yes, I was planning to ask you to come with me tonight.