Summer Charade

Chapter 10

Five days after returning from the beach, the tension that had bubbled between Izzy and Luke had softened, but the undercurrent of something deeper lingered. Neither of them had mentioned that quiet moment on the sand, but it hung in the air, unspoken. Now, they found themselves thrust back into the spotlight, thanks to their ever-meddling moms.

Angela and Wendy had insisted they attend the local charity gala together, knowing it would be the perfect opportunity to "show off" their thriving "relationship." The gala was a formal affair, dripping in elegance, with chandeliers casting a warm glow over the polished floors and guests dressed to the nines. It was one of the most anticipated social events of the year, and tonight, all eyes would be on them.

As Izzy adjusted the hem of her sleek black dress, Luke, dressed in a sharp tailored suit, couldn't help but stare for a moment longer than necessary. The dress hugged her figure in a way that made his breath hitch. Her hair cascaded in soft waves, framing her face perfectly, and the confidence she exuded was undeniable.

"You look..." Luke started, his voice trailing off as he searched for the right words, "... incredible."

Izzy turned, catching him mid-stare. She smiled, a touch of amusement in her eyes. "You clean up well too. Though," she tilted her head, her eyes flicking to his tie, "you look like that thing's about to strangle you."

Luke chuckled, tugging at the tie dramatically. "This? Yeah, it's like a noose. I swear, one more minute in this and I'm ripping it off."

"Can't handle a little formality?" she teased, smoothing a wrinkle from his jacket. "I thought you were the charming one."

"I am charming," Luke said with a wink. "But charming doesn't mean I like dressing like I'm auditioning for a James Bond movie. This suit's about one martini away from getting tossed."

Izzy laughed softly, her eyes sparkling in the dim light of the ballroom. "I'll give it ten minutes before you're loosening that tie and looking for the bar."

"Please," Luke scoffed, though a playful grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Five minutes, tops. Speaking of which," he glanced around, spotting the bar, "want a drink before we get roped into schmoozing with half the town?"

"Definitely," Izzy replied, glancing over her shoulder at the bustling crowd. "But I swear, if you make another joke about 'saving the world' tonight..."

Luke raised his hands defensively, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Hey, I wouldn't dream of it. Tonight's all about the cause." He leaned in slightly, dropping his voice to a mock-serious tone. "Though, if you happen to make a speech about environmental reform, I'll be there with my applause ready."

Izzy shot him a look, but the smile on her face betrayed her amusement. "If I do, you'd better not roll your eyes the whole time."

"I'd never," Luke said, placing a hand over his heart in mock sincerity. "I'm a gentleman."

They exchanged a smile—something more real, more genuine than either of them expected. The banter between them, once a constant battle for control, now flowed easily. It felt natural, almost too comfortable, but neither of them could deny the ease that had settled between them since the beach.

As they approached the bar, Luke ordered a whiskey while Izzy opted for champagne. They stood side by side, watching as guests mingled and danced beneath the soft glow of the chandeliers.

"Ever think we'd be doing this?" Izzy asked, her voice quieter now.

Luke took a sip of his drink before answering, his gaze lingering on her. "Honestly? No. Not like this."