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And now she was giving up on the one man she wanted

Tonight Morgan appeared on her doorstep He'd bought her a dress He asked her to join him Yet what had she done? She'd handed the dress back and said no

She'd said no because she was afraid She'd said no because she was terrified she'd love hih and in the end she'd just look like a fool

How insecure was that? She caredto an work

Far better to be the injured party Far better to play victim Far better to be a drea to take a risk

Grow up, Winnie Stop wanting everything to be perfect You already have the fairy tale!

Winnie stooped and picked up the gar the box on her lap, she opened the lid, pushed back the thin gold tissue paper and drew out a silk ca narrow skirt of old and purple jewels

She blinked, tears starting to her eyes The dress looked like a banana daiquiri on a sun kissed beach

He'd given her a taste of paradise

For ahard on not blinking and keeping the tears froet any tears on the silk fabric Didn't want anything to ruin the ical dress she'd ever seen

She had to go She had to be there tonight She had to show him she was ready for a real relationship with him One built on friendship, honesty, admiration, and trust Incredibly dull virtues on paper but extraordinary in real life

Winnie carried the silk camisole with the beaded straps and skirt to her bedrooainst her as she looked at her reflection in her bedroom mirror Beautiful How had he known that this was absolutely the most perfect dress for her?

Because he knew her

Because his actions spoke louder than words Winnie pressed her forehead to the painted tri to spill

Actions, not words

He'd proposed He'd taken her to St Jerht He'd hired security for her Bought her a house

He was saying as best as he could that she was his, that he wanted her, that he needed her

And for heaven's sake, wasn't that enough?

Need and want hoas it so different from love?

Morgan said the brief speech he'd prepared, a few positive words about the foster care system and a short but sincere thank-you to those who'd coram

He was leaving the podiuaze was never far fros, hated the show and the dress-up and the facade he wore to keep everyone happy People, he knew, preferred success

People preferred handsome, rich, polished Not that he felt that way underneath Hell, underneath he was one lonely and very alone billionaire

Al a bit of space near the door Shake a few et a drink, and then make a mad dash for the limo

He was still lass doors when he cast 'one last glance around the peri in the tuxedos and black sheath like dresses, before spotting canary yellow

Yellow His yellow

Her back was to hi hair partway back, curled the rest, and a few soft tendrils fralittered in the party lights and yet he knew the yellow because it was the right yellow, it was the yellow of sunshine, warmth and happiness

Morgan stood transfixed, drinking her in He felt the fullness of the summer, the sweetness of the island, and far froain the days when he'd just been adopted by the Gradys and he felt such gratitude, and hope

Hope

As he watched, Winnie's smooth brow creased Her eyes narrowed as she searched the rooht between her teeth

She was looking for him

His chest tightened and Morgan kneithout a doubt that he'd never tire of the summer Or the sun

And he'd never tire of Winnie

Quickly, he pushed through the crowd lining up at the bar, lifted a hand in acknowledgment as so a charity patron Winnie wasto the exit, out of the ballroom