Rescued by the billionaire

CHAPTER ELEVEN: Carrington foundation part three

Someone screamed my name over the noise of the crowd, loud and unfiltered, and I turned instinctively.

It was Sky.

Strutting toward us in a sea of muted gowns like a shot of sunlight, her arms wide open and that same magnetic energy that always made people look twice. She was grinning like she hadn’t seen me in years, and before I could say anything, she threw her arms around me in a hug that smelled of jasmine and something sharp—her signature.

“You look *gorgeous,* I could just eat you,” she said dramatically, holding me at arm’s length, her eyes sweeping over my dress with exaggerated awe.

I laughed, cheeks flushing with a mix of surprise and flattery. “You look beautiful too,” I said honestly, taking in her soft waves of hair, the bold eyeliner, the confidence that never needed effort.

“Thank you, darling,” she purred, like it was a secret between us.

Then her gaze flicked to Aaron, standing just a step behind me—calm, composed, as always. Sky’s eyes narrowed slightly, curiosity dancing behind her lashes. She tilted her head, her tone shifting as she spoke again.

“Mind if I borrow her for a second?” she asked, looking directly at him.

Aaron didn’t speak right away. He glanced at me, then at Sky, his expression unreadable—but he gave a single, short nod. “Sure,” he said quietly, the corners of his mouth twitching in a barely-there smile. An acknowledgment. A release.

Sky wasted no time, slipping her arm through mine and tugging me away from the swirl of conversation and champagne.

As we walked off together, I glanced back once—just once—and saw him still standing there, watching us go.

“So?” Sky said as soon as we were out of earshot, her voice dropping into that familiar tone that meant mischief was coming. “Have you done it yet?”

I blinked. “Done what?”

She rolled her eyes like I was purposefully playing dumb. “What I *asked,* obviously. Showed him what we bought the other day?”

Immediately, my stomach twisted, and I looked down at my dress as if it might suddenly betray me. “Oh… no. I haven’t.”

Sky gasped like I’d committed a crime. “*Why not?*”

“I’m scared,” I admitted, my voice smaller than I expected. “What if he rejects me?”

Her expression softened instantly. The teasing melted into something more protective—fierce, even. She took my hands in hers and leaned in, lowering her voice like she was sharing a sacred truth.

“He won’t, baby. Have you *seen* the way he touches you? The way he stands so close like he’s always on the edge of reaching for you? And don’t even get me started on how often he’s been looking over here since we walked away. That man—*that beautiful man right there*—*wants you.* You’re just too scared to believe it.”

I felt my face heat up instantly. Blushing was inevitable around Sky—she made everything sound scandalous, even when she was being sincere. But despite myself, I looked back over my shoulder.

And there he was.

Aaron.

Still standing where we left him, but now his eyes were on me—completely, unapologetically. Not wandering. Not distracted. Just *watching me* like I was the only thing that mattered in the room.

And in that moment, something shifted.

Somehow, the doubt that had wrapped itself around my confidence started to loosen. Maybe it was the way his gaze didn't flick away even when I caught him. Or maybe it was the buzz of the champagne—or whatever was in those shiny glasses they kept passing around like candy. I didn’t know. And honestly? I didn’t care.

Because suddenly, I felt brave.

Not brave like I could conquer the world, but brave enough to *try.*

Brave enough to stop hiding.

Brave enough to show him exactly what I’d been too afraid to let him see.