He gave me adrenaline, passion and thrill. I just didn't know at what cost...
When small town girl Mia Thorpe moves to London to begin a new life, the last thing she expects is to fall head over heels for the charming yet mysterious Grayson Cooper...
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"Okay I think we're just about done," Hailey says, her face deep in concentration as she twirls light, delicate curls into my long, brown hair.
Tonight has come around almost too quickly for my liking, and, quite frankly, I can't seem to fight the uncontrollable nerves that dance throughout my body at the anticipation of it all. After Grayson told me that the ball is being held at his Dad's extravagant hotel in Mayfair, it only made me more nervous, which I didn't think was even possible.
I think about the night I have ahead of me; will Grayson's parents like me? Will Grayson like the dress? Will I stick out like a sore thumb against all the wealthy attendees? I don't know. But I try to brush away the negative thoughts as I apply a light amount of eyeshadow onto my eyelid.
"There, all finished!" Hailey exclaims, looking pretty pleased with herself as she sets my hair curler down onto the side.
I stare at the elegant curls in the mirror in front of me, smiling at the amazing job Hailey has done.
"Thank you so much," I say, softly running my fingertips through my freshly curled hair.
"You're welcome! I'm just sorry I can't be there tonight to watch you fuck it up on the dance floor." Hailey doesn't even try to hide her laughter as she mocks my dancing.
"Ha ha," I laugh, but deep down my insides swirl with anxiety. All of this feels a bit too fancy. I've never attended anything on this level; the only other formal dance I've been to was my high school prom, but I sigh heavily at the obvious difference.
Checking my phone, I learn I have only twenty minutes until Grayson will be here—in fact the car his parents organised will be here. With my heart in my throat, I throw my make up and hairbrush into my bag, zipping it shut.
"You okay?" Hailey asks, studying my panicked yet preoccupied expression.
"Yeah, yeah," I choke, shaking myself from my thoughts. "Could you help me get the dress on?"
"Absolutely!" Hailey claps her hands together.
I take the delicate dress from the hanger and remove my dressing gown before stepping into the skirt and shifting it up over my chest. Hailey gently places the straps above my shoulders and does the zip up at the back, and once I turn to face the mirror I can't help the ecstatic smile that decorates my made-up face.
"Holy crap Mia you look so so beautiful!" Hailey cries, placing her hands against her cheeks as she joins me next to the mirror. "If I were Grayson I'd kiss you right now."
"But you're not," I laugh, making small twirls in the mirror. But deep down I love the way I look tonight, and I'm not usually one to compliment myself.
Sliding on my heels, I smile as Hailey ties them for me, adding a couple of inches to my height.
"You ready for this?" Hailey squeaks, running her hand gently along the sequins that line the top of the dress as she follows me down to the hallway.
