Ava's POV
The dressing room still smelled like s*x and perfume when the curtain slid open without a knock.
I froze, crimson gown still clutched in my hands, heart slamming against my ribs. Marcus stepped inside first, tall and commanding in his black shirt, dark eyes locking onto mine with that familiar intensity. Behind him came Lucas, quieter than ever, his piercing gaze softening the second it found me.
“Ava,” Marcus said, voice low and smooth. “We saw you leave the coordinator’s office looking like you’d seen a ghost. We’re not leaving you alone with this.”
Lucas closed the curtain behind them, the fabric whispering shut like a seal. “We wanted to… practice. For the gala. Make sure you’re ready for them all to see you like this.”
My stomach twisted. “They’re going to introduce yo
