At least, that’s what I tell myself as I scramble through my closet, pulling out dress after dress and then discarding them. I’ve had crushes before, but this is so much more. Every time I think about Cyrus my pulse starts racing, my skin heats up, and my entire body comes to life. I know it’s corny, but I swear I feel like my whole soul is dancing with excitement at the prospect of a future with this handsome man.
After trying on pretty much every outfit I own, I settle on a green polka dot summer dress that ties closed with a bow in the front, with feminine ruffles along the arms and hem of the dress. It’s the perfect mix of casual and dressy, and I style my hair so that my curls hang over my shoulders in a wave of ringlets. I finish off my outfit with a pair of gold earrings that look like sun rays, and a simple necklace made of a small circular medallion. Perfect.
Before I change my mind and decide to switch my outfit again, I grab my purse and head out to meet Cyrus at his penthouse. Of course, as the Uber pulls up to the gray stone building, I stare up in awe. It’s a stately behemoth with a circular driveway for its well-heeled residents, and mature elms and poplars flanking the front doors. Of course, this isn’t the first time I’ve been to his place because I’ve visited with Alyssa before. But then, it was always as his daughter’s friend, or even as his ex-stepdaughter. Now, it’s as a woman in full, and the feeling is completely different.
My heart starts racing as I enter the building doors. What if he’s had second thoughts? What if I appear immature and juvenile in my polka dot sundress with the little bow over my breasts? What if Cyrus sees me with my tentative smile and realizes we’re just too different? He’s an alpha male who’s already at the pinnacle of his career, whereas I’m a naive young girl. Oh god. This is spinning out of control.
No, I tell myself, taking a deep breath. I know Cyrus and he isn’t like that. He might have a lot of money, power and influence, but I know him well enough to be certain that he’s never looked down on people who aren’t wealthy. After all, my mom certainly didn’t have much materially when they met over a decade ago, but he never held that against her.
Ugh, but he was married to my mom, and that’s just another hurdle. I look around at the gorgeous lobby, with its ornate chandeliers and polished marble floors and consciously will the butterflies in my stomach to stop. Don’t question his interest in you, the voice in my head scolds. You had a good time with him earlier, and he invited you here. With that, I square my shoulders and walk up to the reception desk with a confident smile.
“Hi. I’m here to see Mr. North.”
The doorman nods politely. “Yes, you must be Miss Stills. Mr. North told us he was expecting you. Just head over to the elevator bank on your right, and hit PH.”
“Thank you,” I nod, willing my voice not to waver.
I walk through the gorgeous lobby to a set of gold elevator doors and step in when the elevator opens automatically. OMG, this is really happening. My stomach lurches again as I’m carried into the sky, and I will myself to assume control once more. I feel like a school girl meeting her crush for seven minutes in Heaven, and it’s ridiculous.
Cyrus isn’t a stranger, I remind myself. You know him. After a moment, I’m deposited at his front door and willing a confident smile onto my face, I ring the chime. The CEO answers almost immediately and my breath stops in my throat. He’s even bigger and more gorgeous than I remember, clad in a dark button down and casual jeans.
“Hi,” he growls before pulling me inside. Then he pauses and slowly runs his eyes down my curves before returning his eyes to meet my gaze. “You look beautiful, sweetheart. Thank you for coming.”
Warmth fills my cheeks as I smile up into his eyes.
“Hi yourself,” I murmur, my shyness fading somewhat. “It’s good to see you again.”
With that, he steps closer so all the space between us is eliminated, and gently cups my face in his hands. He drops his head and presses his lips to mine ever so gently. It’s just a mere brush of his lips, yet waves of heat begin to course through my body because being kissed by Cyrus is like being hit by lightning and I never want this electric moment to stop. He pulls away, breathing hard as those blue eyes flash.