Masquerading

Part 2

Chapter 2

Lance shifted on his feet, letting the nerves show momentarily.  Lifting his hand, he made sure the mask was covering the entire right side of his face.  He let out a relieved breath once he realized that it was fully concealed.  He had waited for this night for years.

He had watched Abby when she came into his coffee shop, but she had never noticed him.  He knew it wasn’t her fault.  The blame was placed solely on Lance’s shoulders.  Every time she walked into his door, he hid in the back as if he was ashamed.  Quite frankly, he was afraid.

By watching her actions, he knew she was kind-hearted woman.  Abby always helped out who she could, even in the short time that she spent in his coffee shop, he could tell that she would never be able to turn down someone who needed help.  That fact didn’t bother him, no he admired her for that, what did bother him was the men she brought with her.

The men looked like they were chiseled to perfection.  She never would have given him a chance if he hadn’t conducted this entire scheme.  He had felt bad at first, but then when Cece had reassured him that Abby would be his date, he threw all those feelings aside. 

This was his time to shine.  He would grab her attention, then and only then, he would reveal who he really was.  He would show her his face and pray that she stayed around.

High heels clicked on his stone driveway, snapping him out of his thoughts.  Looking up, his breath caught in his throat.  He knew it was her, but he had never seen something so beautiful.  The dress she wore hugged every curve she had, but was still modest.  He didn’t understand how women could look utterly sexy and innocent at the same time, but Abby pulled it off.  He watched as her gray eyes sparkled with excitement.  He loved her eyes.

She stopped in front of him and gave him a large smile that he could barely see.  He returned her smile with an equally large one.  He didn’t want to seem too eager.  The wait might have been long, but now that he was where he wanted to be, he wasn’t about to screw it up.

Bowing down, he whispered, “My lady.”

She let out a laugh, “Is that how were playing it?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

He basked in the sound.  Abby’s laugh sent him on edge.  So, he kept silent to hide the gruffness that would be noticable in his voice as he held his arm out for her to take.  She glanced at it before sliding her hand into the crook of his elbow.  The tiny touch heated through the cloth on his tux.  Her surprised expression showed that she felt it too.

“So, whose party is this?” she asked.

“It’s a party for me,” he replied reluctantly. 

“Really?  Who ever is hosting it has a beautiful home.  Where are all the cars?”

“The cars?”

“Yes, for the other guests.”

“Oh,” he said finally understanding, “they all took limos.”

He wanted to cut off his tongue right then.  What a great way to clue her in on the fact that no one at his party even thought about driving a car.  They were all filthy rich.  They had no need to drive when they had chauffeurs.

She nodded her head. “That makes sense.  I feel like were at the prom.”

Lance could hear the wistful tone in her voice. “What’s wrong?”

“What?  Nothing,” she stated firmly, but she couldn’t mask her surprise at his understanding.  He knew what it was like to feel longing.  He had felt it for years before finally gathering enough courage to bash out this idiotic plan of his.

“I heard it in your voice.  Did you not go to your prom?” he asked her.

She let out a laugh. “I’m twenty-five years old.  You would think things like that wouldn’t bother me anymore, but no I didn’t go.”

“I’m thirty-one and things about my past still bother me.”

Concern shone in her eyes. “Do you want to talk about it?”

He shook his head no. “I want to hear about you.”

With her eyes sparkling with happiness, she replied, “And I want to dance.”

“Your wish is my command,” he told her honestly while walking her towards the dance floor.