Chapter Six - Dancing

"You look beautiful." Hunter grins as I step out of the bedroom.

Tonight, I'm attending a networking event with Hunter. I had completely forgotten about it until he picked me up from work this evening. Of course, the stubborn man had gotten his way and bought the emerald gown we got locked up in the mall over. He had also bought me heels and accessories which I had scolded him for. It felt wrong to be accepting such expensive gifts and I'm quickly realizing that Hunter loves to spoil people.

After getting him to promise that he won't do it again, which I know he lied about, I had gone into one of the spare bedrooms in his apartment to change. Everything fit perfectly and I didn't need to do much with my hair since it's wavy now because of the braid I had it in all day. I left my makeup natural to let the stunning gown speak for itself.

"Thank you. You look very handsome too." I smile as my gaze roams his figure.

Hunter's dressed in a navy, patterned suit with a white button up underneath and smart, brown shoes. The top two buttons of his shirt are undone which make him appear slightly less formal. It looks like he just ran a hand through his hair and gave up which makes me chuckle as I walk over to him.

As I run my fingers through his hair and attempt to set it so it appears less messy his hands rest on my hips. My breath hitches and he smirks devilishly which makes me roll my eyes before backing away.

"Ready?" He murmurs lowly and I nod before he takes my hand.

We make our way downstairs and into the garage before getting into his car. I'm quite nervous about tonight since I won't know anyone but Hunter. But he seems to notice it and rests his hand on my thigh which makes those damned butterflies come fluttering back in a crazed frenzy.

"Don't worry, Cory and Jordan will be there." He smiles reassuringly which makes me calm down a bit. "Trust me, I don't want to go either."

"Is it necessary for everyone to attend?" I frown in confusion at his words.

"No, I've never attended these events but Cory wants to get some new clients and needs me there." He huffs before shaking his head.

"Aw, that's cute." I grin which falters when he smiles like he just won the lottery.

"Are you calling me cute, Red?"

"No, I meant that you helping Cory is cute." I deadpan with a playful roll of my eyes.

"So, you don't think I'm cute?" He pouts mockingly and I sigh.

"Maybe." I mutter and he chuckles before leaning over to peck my cheek quickly.

"Hunter! You're driving!" I snap while pushing him away when he leans in for another.

He chuckles huskily before settling back in his seat. Eventually, we arrive at a fancy hotel and head inside. The ballroom that we're in is decorated beautifully and several staff members walk about with trays of canapes and champagne. Hunter hands me a glass before guiding me to the familiar couple, Cory and Jordan, who are by the open bar.

"Glad you showed up!" Cory grins as he hugs Hunter and I before Jordan does the same.

"I couldn't take your crying anymore." Hunter replies teasingly before taking a sip of his drink.

"I'm so happy you brought Zoe!" Jordan smiles excitedly as she drapes her arm across my shoulders. "Cory always drags me to these events and they're so boring."

"Well, lucky for you Hunter convinced me this time." I chuckle and meet his baby blues that shine brightly.

"Alright, well you boys run along and go do what you need to do. Zoe and I will stay by the bar." She waves them off and I feel Hunter squeeze my hand reassuringly.

I nod gently and he smiles before walking off with Cory. Jordan turns to me and we hop onto the bar stools before ordering a drink. She then proceeds to point out everyone in the room and basically reveals a lot of information about them. I'm baffled as to how she knows so much but then again, if she has been accompanying Cory to these events then she would obviously know a lot about the people in the room.

"So, were you born here or...?" She asks as she takes a sip of her martini.

"Born and raised." I smile tightly as I avert my eyes to my own drink. "What about you?"

"I was born in England but my dad is from California so my parents live there now." She explains and a loving smile blooms across her lips as she glances at Cory. "I chose to stay back and finish college in the UK when they decided to relocate and I met Cory in my second year."

"You two are so cute together." I grin as I watch her blush when she realizes I had caught her staring at him.

"Oh hush!" She laughs before wiggling her brows cheekily as she glances at Hunter. "That man can't take his eyes off you. It's you two that are absolutely adorable!"

"What – no! It's..." I stop myself when I remember that we told them that we've been together for six months now.

"See, you know it too!" She teases and I find myself smiling when I look up to see that Hunter's gaze is indeed on me. He winks at me before tuning back into the conversation which makes me chuckle.

"So, what do your parents do? Any siblings?" She asks and I feel the smile drop.

"Uh...well my father is a judge whereas my mother is a surgeon. I only have one sister and she studied to become a surgeon too so they work at the same hospital." I take a longer sip of my drink after.

"Let me guess...your family doesn't support you?"

My eyes widen in surprise and I stare back at her silently. "How did you –"

"I recognize the pain in your eyes Zoe, you're like an open book." She smiles sadly before reaching out and squeezing my hand reassuringly. "I went through the same thing so I get it. My parents went into the field of medicine and nursing whereas my three older brothers studied engineering, law and computer science. They were...surprised when I told them I wanted to study photography."

"Wow." I breathe in absolute shock. It made me feel a little bit better that someone else went through the same thing I'm going through.

"A piece of advice..." She starts as she tips back her second drink. "If you're really passionate about what you want to do in life don't let words tear you down. Your family will keep trying but it's up to you to stay strong and remember why you love what you do. Non supportive people don't deserve anything from you."

"Thank you, Jordan. That means a lot." I murmur gratefully and she smiles before pulling me into a tight hug.

"You've got this. You have me and more importantly, you have Hunter. You two are good for each other." She whispers and I find my gaze flitting over to him as he and Cory make their way back to us.

"Looks like you two have bonded well!" Cory grins just as we pull away.

"Definitely. I have a feeling we're going to be great friends." Jordan smiles brightly and I return the gesture.

"Well, care to accompany us around the room?" He asks us both and we nod before hopping off our stools.

"You okay?" Hunter mumbles gently into my ear as he wraps an arm around my waist.

"Of course." I smile up at him but he doesn't seem to buy it. "Hunter, I'm fine. Really."

He nods reluctantly before unexpectedly pressing a firm yet lingering kiss to my temple. I blush slightly when Jordan and Cory tease us before we set off to meet the others. Hunter stays by my side the whole night and introduces me to a lot of people whose names I forget within seconds. He's quite attentive and although he's talking to everyone else his eyes and hands always find mine which I think is incredibly sweet.

But almost two hours later we finally decide to leave since I have class early morning tomorrow. We bid goodbye to Cory and Jordan before making our way outside. But instead of getting into the car Hunter pulls me onto the streets.

"Don't go yet." He pleads softly as he intertwines our hands.

"Okay." I agree with a chuckle but on the inside I'm freaking the fuck out.

We walk down the bustling streets of Manhattan until we make our way around a corner and end up on another street. A wide smile graces my lips as a street performer sings a familiar pop song. It's one of my favorites and I guess I make a noise of excitement because Hunter looks down at me.

"What?" He laughs before following my line of sight.

"I love this song." I shrug with a grin as I watch the girl sway slightly.

He looks from the performer to me before a slow smile blooms across his lips and a mischievous twinkle glimmers in his eyes. I lean back slightly in anticipation while watching him with piqued curiosity as I wonder what's going on in that mind of his. I arch a brow when he straightens and closes the button of his suit jacket before holding out a hand.

"Zoe Miller, would you like to dance?"

My eyes widen in surprise at the unexpected request and for a second I wonder if he's serious or not. But his unwavering expression shows me that he won't hesitate to whisk me away if I refuse.

"H-Hunter..." I chuckle nervously as I look around at the people walking past. It's true what they say, this place never really sleeps. "Are you mad? There's people around."

He grins and I'm momentarily stunned over how he became ten times more handsome. "Oh, come on Red. Scared to let loose for once?"

I roll my eyes playfully before slipping my hand in his and biting my lip at how his warmth causes butterflies to flutter in my tummy. He pulls me closer before nodding at the girl who's watching us with a smile. She winks our way before her sultry voice fills the street as she begins to sing a romantic song that has me blushing from head to toe.

I swat Hunter's arm when he turns back to me and wiggles his brows. Chuckling softly, he pulls me close and rests his arm around my waist while the other holds my hand as we start to sway. For a few seconds, I'm unable to ignore the numerous people looking our way strangely. But Hunter notices and twirls me around, making me giggle as we meet again. The melody floats over us, slightly drowned as I lose myself in his cerulean blue eyes. I smile in contentment before winding my arms around his neck.

We sway comfortably with an occasional twirl here and there that makes my smile grow to a full-blown happy grin. The girl belts out the chorus, her voice nothing like I've ever heard before but I'm completely entranced by the man holding me to compliment her. So much so that I don't realize we're in the middle of the road until I hear cheering.

I blink slowly before gasping when I see where Hunter has led me. Bright yellow taxis and cars are on one side, waiting for the lights to turn green. It's a crossing and this man has gone mad!

"Hunter! You're insane!" I laugh as I worriedly glance at the walking man where the number ten is displayed boldly as it counts down.

"Only with you, Red." He winks before pulling me impossible closer.

We reach the middle of the road and he twirls me before dipping which elicits a quiet gasp from my lips. He grins boyishly before leaning forward and brushing his lips softly against mine, like a whisper in the wind. I'm left frozen, wondering whether I'm stuck in a dream or not. But I don't get to ponder on that thought for long as Hunter pulls me up, twirls me once more before his arm wraps around my waist.

We dance off the crossing, our ten seconds up. I cry out before bursting into giggles when Hunter picks me up bridal style and spins us around as we reach the other side of the street. Some people around us cheer and I blush brightly at the attention as I'm placed back on my feet, looking up when Hunter grazes the back of his knuckles against my heated cheek.

"Fun?" He murmurs with bright and happy eyes.

"Fun." I confirm with a laugh, breathless from the spontaneity.

He holds up a finger before running back to the girl who sung for us, dropping some money into her hat before exchanging a few words. They look back at me at one point in their brief conversation with smiles on their lips and secrecy in their eyes.

I wave to the girl as a thank you before watching as Hunter finds a gap in the traffic and makes his way back to me. He pulls me close before wrapping an arm around my waist and dropping a tender kiss onto the crown of my head.

"That was crazy." I state before a slow grin escape onto my lips. "Crazy but amazing."

"Only in New York, darlin."

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