Page 28 of Unbalanced

I look away from him and Rob. God, how I wish I brought my own car. An Uber will cost a fortune to bring me home, but I’m still tempted.

“Let me see if I can get to the bottom of this…mysterious woman behavior,” Alden says mockingly.

But it’s obvious Rob doesn’t get the jab as he claps him on the shoulder.

“Have at it. I’m going to get a drink and say hi to Mom.”

Son of a bitch.

Alden waits until we’re alone before gesturing for me to follow him. Then he quietly leads me into a sitting room with a crackling fire.

I stand in front of it, loving the heat. In another life I want to come back as a cat and just curl up in the sun all day.

“I’m not being dumb, ridiculous, or anything else,” I say before he can ask. “Rob didn’t tell me that it’s formal attire tonight. I thought this was just a small, casual family party. You know, sing Happy Birthday and cut cake.” I point toward the other room. “Rob doesn’t care, but I’m wildly underdressed and will be self-conscious all night. I’m angry with him. That’s so rude to do, and…happy birthday, by the way, I should’ve said that first,” I ramble as I stare into the flickering flames. “Maybe to him it’s stupid, but Rob doesn’t understand that feeling like I don’t belong is a hang-up of mine. It’s just so humiliating to have it shoved in my face like this.”

“Emily, you belong in any room you walk into, and I think you look stunning,” Alden says, and I slowly turn to face him.

We say nothing for a beat, just staring. He finally steps closer, and my heart speeds up.

“Here is the way I see it,” he says, glancing around the room. “You’re here now, and you can hide out in this room, which is very nice, and I’ll sneak you a plate of food. You’ll probably feel just as out of place, though. Or…you can hold your head high and not care what anyone in there thinks. Isn’t that what you’ve always done…not let others define you? Why would you want to shrink away now?”

I roll my shoulders and stand a little straighter and then adjust the leather belt sinching in the waist of the dress.

“You’re right, I have.”

Alden smirks.

“Besides, it’s my birthday, and I already approve of what you’re wearing. My opinion is the only one that counts.”

He gives me a small smile. His words are innocent enough, and yet my body is hotter than the fire burning behind me.

Alden clears his throat.

“But if I may make one small suggestion.” He points to the fireplace. “Maybe don’t stand in front of any light sources for the rest of the night.”

I look at the fire and then tilt my head and stare at him in confusion.

“Your dress becomes see-through.”

Gasping, I jump away from the bright orange glow before covering my mouth and laughing.

“Oh…my…god, you jerk. You said I look stunning.”

He smirks and holds out his elbow for me to take.

“That’s because you do. The see-through aspect we’ll consider my birthday bonus.”

Pressing my lips together to keep from calling him every name in the book, I take his arm. The man is incorrigible.

“Thanks for talking me down,” I say.

“You only needed reminding of who you are. The woman who has already clawed her way out of a horrible situation and is making a success of herself without anyone’s help.”

“Still…thank you.”

“Speaking of…did you bring the proposal with you?”

“It’s in my purse. Would you like it now?”