Only One Regret (Only One 5)

"I’ll be ready. I just have to change," I say, smiling. I can do this. It’ll be fine. I walk into the bathroom in my office. Unzipping the black garment bag, I see the powder blue top and skirt I had picked out. I slip out of my pants and grab the matching blue skirt.

It fits like a glove when I zip it up at the side, hanging the pants in the garment bag. Taking off my shirt, I see that I still have the red marks he left on me. My hands touch them, and then I shake my head, taking off my bra and grabbing the top. It’s one sleeve with ruffles from the shoulder down. I zip the side with no sleeve. The ruffles start from that side and then meet the other one as they ruffle down. Grabbing the blue patent shoes, I finish the outfit. Cleaning up my clothes and zipping back the garment bag, I step out of the bathroom into my office.

I see Nico walking in as he heads to Becca’s office. She comes out to greet him and gives him a smile and a kiss.

"Are you ready?" she asks, and her mouth goes open. "That outfit is gorgeous." I smile, grabbing my purse and walking out.

Nico smiles at me and kisses my cheek. "Shall we go?" he says, looking at his watch. "We are late."

My whole body shakes with nerves as the elevator slowly makes its way down to the parking garage. Nico’s SUV is waiting for us as I get in the back seat. The phone pings in my purse, and even though I don’t want to take it out, I have to.

I look down and see that Shauna has sent me the number of the car service. I text her back a thank-you and let out the breath I was holding. When we get to the arena, all I have time to do is put my phone away before the door is opened. The valet holds out his hand as I smile at him and get out. "Thank you," I say and wait for Becca to walk around the SUV and join us. "Thank you for the lift." I smile at her. When she came into the office this morning to remind me again that she was going, she offered a ride, and instead of saying I couldn’t go, I said sure.

Walking into the arena, you can see the ice has been transformed. A blue wooden floor covered with blue carpet has been placed over the ice. Tables are set up all around the place with a stage at one end. I take a step forward, and I see him.

I try to swallow, but my mouth is drier than the desert in the summer. He’s wearing a blue suit with a baby blue shirt, and his eyes just pop. He smirks when he gets close to me. "Hi," he greets, wrapping his arm around my waist and kissing my cheek. Actually, it’s the corner of my lips he kisses. "I was wondering when you would be here."

I look at him. I can do this. I can pretend nothing happened, I tell myself. "Yeah, Nico gave me a ride." His hand drops from my waist as he stands in front of me, and my body aches for his touch. "This is nice," I blurt the first thing that comes to mind as I look around, and he laughs. And I finally let out a huge breath. "Go away."

He chuckles. "Not a chance.” We walk more into the rink. His fingers graze mine like they’ve done a thousand times before, but this time, my body wants more than just a soft touch.

I spot Manning and Evelyn and stop to chat with them, hoping Cooper gets bored and leaves, but instead, he’s right by my side the whole time. My body, at this point, is one tight nerve.

"I’m going to go get something to drink," I tell them and turn, hoping he doesn’t follow me. I walk up to one of the bars and smile at the bartender. "Can I have sparkling water?" I ask, and then I feel him beside me.

He stands beside me with his hands in his pockets, his Rolex and the bracelet I got him on his left wrist. A smirk is all over his face. "Are you going to have a glass of wine?" he asks.

I shake my head. "No," I say, avoiding turning to look at him. Maybe if I don’t keep looking at him, I can pretend he isn’t here.

"Why not?" He turns toward me and leans on the bar. I know I have to look over to answer him, but I’m afraid of what I’m going to see. Afraid my body is going to deceive me.