At Her Discretion

CHAPTER ELEVEN: WHEN THE MUSIC CALLS

The ballroom had finally settled into a comfortable rhythm.

Conversations drifted from one corner of the room to another while the orchestra played softly in the background. Waiters moved effortlessly between clusters of guests, replacing empty glasses before anyone had to ask.

Naomi had just convinced herself the evening might become bearable.

Then Adrian ruined it.

He nudged Sebastian with his elbow.

"You know," he said quietly, "that was impressive."

Sebastian didn't bother looking at him.

"Daniel? He'll recover."

"I'm not talking about Daniel."

Sebastian finally turned.

"I'm talking about the poor fool who spent thirty seconds getting shut down."

Sebastian sighed.

"I wasn't shutting anyone down."

"No?"

"No."

Adrian smiled.

"So that was just your natural personality?"

Naomi looked between them.

"What are you two whispering about?"

"Nothing," Sebastian answered a little too quickly.

Adrian nodded solemnly.

"Nothing at all."

Naomi narrowed her eyes.

She had the distinct feeling she was being discussed.

She chose not to investigate.

If experience had taught her anything, it was that Adrian Sinclair enjoyed inserting himself into conversations like an uninvited headline.

The sudden change in music interrupted whatever ridiculous remark Adrian had been preparing.

The lively melody faded.

A slower piece replaced it.

Across the ballroom, several guests instinctively turned toward the polished dance floor.

The event host stepped onto the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please."

The conversations gradually died down.

"As is tradition, we'd like to begin tonight's formal program with the opening dance."

A ripple of applause moved through the room.

Naomi's shoulders immediately tensed.

She knew that sentence.

And she knew exactly where it usually led.

Sure enough, one of the organizers began making his way toward their table.

"Oh no."

Sebastian glanced at her.

"What?"

"I know that look."

"What look?"

"The one people wear right before asking me to do something I don't want to do."

The organizer stopped beside them with an apologetic smile.

"Ms. Reeds."

Naomi forced one of her own.

"Good evening."

"I hope you're enjoying yourself."

"I've survived this long."

The organizer laughed politely.

"The board was wondering if you'd do us the honor of participating in the opening dance."

There it was.

Naomi smiled with practiced regret.

"I'm afraid I'll have to decline."

"I'm not sure that's possible."

Her smile faltered.

"I'm sorry?"

"As one of the trustees who helped establish the foundation's scholarship program, you're one of tonight's guests of honor."

Naomi silently blamed her past self for ever agreeing to anything philanthropic.

The organizer continued.

"We'd be honored if you'd represent the foundation."

She searched desperately for an excuse.

Nothing came.

Before she could speak again, he asked the question she'd been dreading.

"And your dance partner?"

Silence.

Then his gaze shifted toward Sebastian.

"Mr. Vale would be perfect."

Adrian lowered his head, pretending to cough.

It sounded suspiciously like laughter.

Sebastian pointed at himself.

"Me?"

The organizer smiled.

"If you wouldn't mind."

Sebastian looked at Naomi.

Naomi looked back.

Neither of them spoke.

Adrian finally lost the battle against his amusement.

"Oh, this is beautiful."

Both of them shot him a look.

"What?" he asked innocently.

"I support charity."

Naomi sighed.

"I suppose we don't really have a choice."

Sebastian stood.

"I guess not."

Adrian leaned back in his chair with the satisfied expression of a man about to watch a very expensive disaster unfold.

"Don't embarrass yourselves."

"We'll do our best," Sebastian replied.

"I sincerely doubt that."

The orchestra began the first notes of the waltz.

Couples slowly made their way onto the dance floor.

Naomi stopped near the center and turned toward Sebastian.

"Can you dance?"

"A little."

"How little?"

"I know where my feet are."

"That's... not reassuring."

Sebastian smiled.

"It shouldn't be."

Naomi sighed before placing one hand lightly on his shoulder.

He hesitated for the briefest moment before taking her free hand.

His other hand rested carefully at her back.

There was an awkward pause.

"So..."

"So?"

"I think we're supposed to move."

"I'm aware."

"Then why aren't we?"

Naomi gave him a pointed look.

"I'm waiting for you."

"Oh."

He cleared his throat.

"Right."

They took their first step.

It wasn't graceful.

It wasn't terrible either.

Just slightly uncertain.

"See?" Sebastian said.

"I haven't stepped on your foot."

"You've had five seconds."

"I appreciate your confidence in me."

They completed another turn.

Then another.

Slowly, the awkwardness began to fade.

The rhythm became easier to follow.

"So," Sebastian said quietly.

"You clean up well."

Naomi raised an eyebrow.

"Is that your version of a compliment?"

"I wouldn't get used to it."

"I certainly will not, Mr. Vale."

Despite herself, she smiled.

Sebastian noticed.

It wasn't the polite smile she wore in meetings.

Or the restrained one she used around clients.

It was genuine.

And for reasons he couldn't quite explain, he found himself smiling too.

Neither of them noticed Adrian watching from the edge of the dance floor.

He folded his arms.

A knowing grin spread across his face.

"I knew it," he muttered.

A nearby guest followed his gaze.

"They make a good pair."

Adrian didn't answer.

He only smiled a little wider.

The song came to a gentle end.

Applause echoed through the ballroom as the couples stepped away.

Naomi slowly let go of Sebastian's hand.

"Well..."

"We survived."

"Barely."

"I didn't step on your foot."

"You came dangerously close."

"Dangerously close isn't the same as actually doing it."

"I'll give you that."

They walked back toward Adrian.

He looked between them thoughtfully.

"So..."

Sebastian sighed.

"No."

"I haven't even said anything."

"You were about to."

"I was."

Adrian grinned.

"You two looked surprisingly comfortable out there."

"We were dancing."

"You were smiling."

Sebastian frowned.

"So was she."

Naomi looked away.

"It would have been strange to scowl through an entire dance."

"Would it?"

She shot Adrian a warning look.

He raised both hands innocently.

"I'm simply observing."

Sebastian reached for a glass of water.

"You observe too much."

"I have an eye for detail."

"You have an eye for causing problems."

"Also true."

Before Adrian could continue, the lights dimmed slightly.

The event host returned to the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen..."

The ballroom gradually fell silent.

"We will now continue with tonight's program."

Naomi's attention shifted toward the stage.

Something in her chest tightened.

She already had a feeling she knew what was coming.

And she deeply hoped she was wrong.

"...Please welcome one of the individuals whose work helped shape this foundation's scholarship initiative."

A spotlight swept across the ballroom.

Then stopped.

Directly on her.

"Ms. Naomi Reeds."

Applause erupted immediately.

Naomi stared at the stage.

Then at Adrian.

Then at Sebastian.

Neither looked even slightly surprised.

"You knew?"

Sebastian rubbed the back of his neck.

"I found out earlier."

"And you didn't tell me?"

"I was told not to."

Naomi slowly closed her eyes.

"I really dislike surprises."

Adrian smiled.

"We noticed."

Taking a quiet breath, Naomi stepped forward.

The applause followed her as she walked toward the stage.

Behind her, Sebastian watched.

And for reasons he couldn't explain…

He had the unsettling feeling the room was about to discover a version of Naomi Reeds he had only just begun to understand.