He moved his hands behind his back. “But you have to take it. There’s a no-return policy.”
“I’m sure the jeweler will make an exception.”
He shook his head. “I mean, I have a no-return policy. I really want you to have it.”
Her eyes shimmered. She blinked repeatedly. Then she once again opened the box. “It’s so beautiful.” She ran her finger over the diamond-encrusted snowball suspended on a white-gold box chain. “I’ll never forget this night.”
“Let me help you put it on.”
She carefully took it out of the box and handed it to him. And then she turned her back to him. She swept her long golden curls off to the side. It took him a few tries but at last he had it fastened.
When she turned around, he said, “Beautiful.”
“It certainly is.”
“No.” His gaze met hers. “I meant you.”
Her cheeks pinkened. “Thank you.”
“May I have this dance?” he asked, wanting a chance to talk to her without a rapt audience.
“I’d like that.”
There was an audible groan from the men as they turned and moved off. A smile lifted Graham’s lips. He got the girl—the most beautiful girl in the room. Lucky for him, it was a slower song and he was able to hold her in his arms as they made their way around the dance floor.
“Thank you,” he said.
She arched a fine brow. “For dancing with you?”
His smile broadened. “Well, that, too. But I meant for tonight. This entire event was your vision. You really pulled it off. Everyone is impressed.”
She glanced around, taking in the smiling people. “They do seem to be enjoying themselves. But I can’t take any credit. It took a village to create this evening.”
“And I owe you all a debt of gratitude.”
“Does that mean you’ll reconsider tearing down the apartment building?” Hope shone in her eyes.
“I’ve given it a lot of thought, but now isn’t the time to discuss it.”
The sparkle in her eyes disappeared in a blink. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“There’s no reason to be sorry. I know how much the building and its residents mean to you.”
They continued moving around the dance floor. He loved holding her close.
His gaze met hers and it was as though the world moved slightly off its axis. He couldn’t quite explain what had happened in that moment, but he knew nothing in his life would ever be the same. He also realized that imagining anything more than this moment was a fool’s errand. But it didn’t keep him from hoping there would be some sort of Christmas miracle.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
SHE FELT LIKE a princess.
And Graham was her prince.
His hand felt natural pressed to the small of her back. Her hand fit within his other hand. It was though they were dancing among the clouds. She never even felt her feet touch the floor.
If this was a dream, she never wanted it to end. His warm smile made her heart trip over itself. How did she get so lucky to be here with him?
And to think she’d almost missed out on it all if it hadn’t been for Merryweather. She still had questions for her dear friend. She wanted to know how he made all of this possible. But those questions would have to wait unt