CHOOSING BETWEEN TWO

ella

unter Industries Annual Gala, it read, in elegant script, followed by my name in bold. I shouldn't have been surprised-it was a tradition for every employe

t the thought of wearing a dress or mingling with the city's elite that made my stomach churn. It was the possibility

get worked up over these thi

oice cut through the ai

ay of my cubicle, arms crossed, an amused smile on her lips. Sarah was my polar oppo

is," I said, holding

y God, Izzy! This is your chance to show them all. Yo

't know, Sarah. I'm not sure I want to go. You know how I feel

ut you can't keep hiding forever. You deserve to be seen-by everyone, including h

g someone else over me-someone more glamorous, more ambitious, someone who wasn't a constant source of insecurity like I was. Since then, I had done my b

eady," I murmured, loo

d to believe it. And if you ask me, there's no better way to make a comeback than at the gala.

h, shaking her head.

is going to be there. You know, the man who runs this entire company

I'm sure he doesn't

ccably dressed, and always surrounded by an air of authority that made everyone take notice. He was elusive, rar

id, giving me a wink. "You n

**

s Sarah had helped pick out for me was beautiful-a floor-length, deep emerald gown that hugged my figure in all the right places, with delicate lace detailing on th

from behind me, breaking me from my tho

came out more like a grim

***

ting a warm glow over the room filled with New York's elite. Waiters weaved between the guests, carrying trays of champagne, whil

h said, linking her arm through mi

at these kinds of events, always rubbing shoulders with the rich and powerful. The thought of running in

to relax, I heard a fa

. If it isn't Isa

draped casually around the waist of Victoria St. James. She was even more stunning in person-ta

to say, my voice ba

smile widening. "I didn't expect to

erlying condescension in his tone. I forced myself to sta

, hating how small I

dress. Where did you get

nt, but before I could respond, a

e a prob

r standing beside me, his sharp grey eyes fixed on Ethan and Victoria. His prese

slightly. "No problem at all. Jus

ssion softening ever so slightly. "I

ame. I glanced at Ethan, whose smile had faded completely, and then bac

my voice stronger tha

ouldn't help but feel that maybe, just maybe, th