Chapter 21: Ball 2

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"I want to meet Neal too." Stear got up. "Archie, I go with you."

The two brothers went to look for Neal. When they were passing a refreshment table in the balcony, Archie slowed down.

"I need a drink." He stepped into the balcony and walked over to the table for drinks. Unmoved, he stared at the displayed drinks.

"Is it really that difficult to decide what to drink?" asked Stear.

Archie grabbed a beer, opening it and taking a long shallow.

"You all are out of senses!" Archie grunted. "Annie is pregnant. She can't dance all the time. Candy can dance with me."

"Why? Don't tell me you still want to kiss Candy!"

"I... No!" Archie cursed under his breath. "I just want to make sure she dances with a decent man."

"That's a farce, Archie! You are her best friend's husband! That makes you the least qualified dancing partner."

"Not compared to-"

"Ah! So here where you two Cornwells have been hiding!" a cheerful voice rang, coming from behind them. "We've been looking all over for you." Neal appeared in the balcony, a wine goblet in one hand and a stunning blonde clinging in his arm.

"Stear," said Neal brightly, clapping him on the back. "Archie! It's a pleasure." Neal offered a handshake which Archie ignored.

Neal frowned. "It seems someone has a chip on his shoulder." He turned quizzically at Stear.

Stear looked awkwardly uncomfortable.

Neal turned to his lady companion. "Would you excuse us, honey?" He kissed her cheek. "Cousins. Close cousins. Haven't talked to them for years."

She looked disappointed. "I'll see you around, Neal." Reluctantly, she took her leave.

"What's up, cous?" asked Neal to Archie after the girl left. He smiled broadly.

"Nothing."

"Wine?"

Archie grabbed the wine from Neal's hand and drowned it in a single gulp.

"This has got to be woman trouble!" Neal whistled softly. "What happens to him, Stear?"

"We were discussing who should dance with Candy –"

"Don't tell him that," Archie groaned.

"That's so easy!" said Neal cheerfully. "I'll do it. I'm single, hot, exceedingly -"

Archie tossed the wine goblet, grabbed Neal's collar with his both hands then pined him to the wall.

"You are wrong if you think you're effing hot!" Archie growled, staring at him with the same jealousy that Neal had seen when he told him he'd be engaged to Candy years ago. He was scared back then but now it stroke him as funny. Things looked different when one outgrew the attacker.

"Still regretting that you didn't propose to her?"

"Shut up, Leagan!" Archie growled.

"Be nice. I'm doing you a favor here. Patty asked me to look for you. Annie didn't feel well. She needs to go home," said Neal.

"Is that all you've got to make me release you?" growled Archie trough his greeted teeth.

Neal shook himself free easily. "Don't blame me if there's anything wrong." He shrugged, dusting off his tuxedo and adjusting his immaculate white bow. "It's your baby she's carrying, I hope?"

"You-!" Archie shouted.

"Come Archie, let's check how the girls are doing," said Stear, pulling his brother's arm.

"I will tell Annie that I won't go home until I make sure Candy doesn't dance with Neal!" Archie grumbled to Setar. "No more arguing, Stear. It's Annie's idea in the first place to take Candy here!"

They looked for the girls. As Neal had said, Annie didn't look too well her face was yellow in discomfort.

"Darling," said Annie leaning on her husband's chest. "I feel awful."

"You found them! Thanks Neal!" said Candy gratefully.

Archie watched the two exchanging courtesy words.

"You go home first, darling. I'll catch up later," said Archie to Annie.

"What about you?" asked Annie worriedly.

"I won't take long. I'll go home in half an hour," said Archie. Annie looked beaten. "Maybe even less, like fifteen minutes?" Annie looked devastated. "Well, ten minutes."

"I wait for you, Archie," said Annie, almost crying.

"But you are not well and I still need to ... uhm… sign our name in the guest book so they know that we come," said Archie, weakly.

"I can do that for you," said Neal.

"Let Neal do it, darling," begged Annie. "I don't want to go home without you."

Archie gave Neal a murderous stare. He wanted to object, but Annie stared at him beseechingly that he couldn't do it.

"Okay," said Archie.

That settled it. Stear and Patty also got up, didn't feel like staying either. Candy wanted to go home too with them.

"No Candy..." begged Annie. "You have to dance first! Please do it for me."

Her friend's face looked so pale, Candy didn't have the heart to argue. She nodded.

They all went outside. Stear carried Annie's coats and called their drivers. Patty was making sure Annie was comfortable. Archie was holding his wife who's gripping his hand tightly. Candy was monitoring Annie's condition. Everyone was trying to be helpful except Neal who's only watching.

"Don't just stand there, Neal!" rebuked Candy who noticed. "Come here. Let me see your watch." She took Annie's hand to count her pulse.

Neal extended his wrist to Candy and for some reason she got distracted by the a glimpse of hair he had around the edge of his cuff. The pulse counting routine which she had done a million times suddenly becoming one laborious process.

"Normal," Candy breathed, after several attempt. She placed her hand on Annie's forehead. "No fever. Good. Perhaps you are allergic to the peanut you ate now, Annie," said Candy giving her prognosis.

She gave Annie some advice then they left.

"Did you see how toothless Archie is to his wife?" laughed Neal after the four of them disappeared from their sight.

"That's because he loves her," Candy said snappishly. "A person like you won't understand such a thing."

"I'm sure he does!" Neal sneered.

"Don't laugh at my brother in law," Candy snorted.

"If you say so." Neal stopped jeering. "But only if you dance with me." His voice was low and husky this time making her vibrate achingly all over.

"What about your date?" Candy glanced hesitantly toward the crowd.

"I have plenty of admirers but I'm single and not dating anyone," he said softly.

Candy felt so relieved, she almost let out a sigh.

"Happy now?" he observed. "So, dance?"

Oh bummer, he knew she was relieved that he was single. Shouldn't give him that advantage!

"Sorry, maybe not," Candy tried to look disinterested. "The song is too fast. I-I'm not too good at fast dance," she flattered under his expressive brown eyes.

"I lead you." He clicked his fingers to the beat of the music.

"I will get tripped and fall."

"You won't. I'll hold you. Come on Candy. Dance. Just once." Neal grinned. "I have an irresistible personality, I know. But now we're friends, you might as well start to get used to it."

She should push him and walk away but she was stepping forward and giving him her hand. "Alright. Don't blame me," she said.

Grinning, he took her hand in his and led her to the ballroom. His eyes were dark and deep but looking wild and sensual not notorious and aggravating as she remembered them. She set her free hand on his arm, then he swept her into a quick sway.

"I didn't expect to see you here," said Candy as he effortlessly guided her moving among other couples.

"Dad is out of town so I come on his behalf to present a speech," Neal said.

She looked amazed and he grinned.

"That's why I haven't seen you much lately?" she asked.

"Yes, I have been busy. Dad was sick." He pushed and pulled her back.

"Stear and Archie told me. I'm glad your father is fine now," said Candy generously.

"Thanks. Me too. That was a huge relieved." They did double steps in unison, her skirt floated and puffed all around her. "How's Jimmy's daughter?" he asked.

"Oh she's so chubby now and has doubled her weight. And your nephew?"

"Tyler is a jewel. Eliza is such a doting mother."

It's running in a family, thought Candy remembering how Sarah was to Neal and Eliza.

Neal spun her in a little circle and back towards him, his face was inches from her own. He's tall! Not shorter than Albert, Candy estimated before he twirled her away from him again.

"What are you thinking?" He gave an adorably mischievous grin.

"Did you take lessons? You improve."

To this he lifted one eyebrow and tilted his head. "Did we ever dance together?" he whirled her around in a grand circle.

"Yes in St. Paul." She chuckled.

"Did we?" His face frowned in an effort to remember.

"The girl in mask with a long braided hair who kept kicking and stepping on your feet." Candy laughed. "That's me."

"What!" he paused briefly before he laughed. A rich and deep rumble that sent heat through her body. "That nasty Juliet was you?"

"Yes, thank you. Do you need to hire a detective to figure that out?" teased Candy.

"What an insult!" Neal groaned, hitting her clasped hand to his chest. Hard chest. "Now you'd think that I have the intelligence of a box of soap."

Laughing, Candy squeezed his shoulders to steady herself. They're equally solid and muscular turning her heart upside down chaotically. "You've been working out, eh?"

"Quiet. Hey now, want to know so much about me are we?"

"No. Not at all… not at all." She chuckled.

"Why? Because I am not the puny little dwarf you could easily kick around anymore?"

Candy laughed and jumped, trying to step on his foot like what she did as Juliet.

"Oh no, you can't!" Neal grabbed her slim waist and lifted her up easily like a branch of dry cotton stalk, before he brought her back on the dancing floor. "Not anymore!"

Gripping on his biceps, Candy burst in a spontaneous giggle. "Talking of which. Next time you wear a mask, you could smack a piece of cake on Archie's suit."

"Eh!" Neal did some shuffle step then whirled her around. "I thought you're a lady." His brown eyes glinted humorously in the evening light.

"I never say I am."

"I am not a gentleman either, we're a good match." Neal looked at her, carefully waiting for an angry sign but with delight he watched a laugh hopped out of her beautiful lips.

He swept her across the floor in a few quick steps and spun her out and away before slamming her onto his chest at the final note. The dance was over. Wrapped up in his arms, her breaths quickened. How Neal can dance!

His mouth parted as his gaze lowered to her mouth before he took a step back and bowed.

"Thanks for the dance," said Neal.

"My pleasure" said Candy, breathless. She curtsied.

"I take you to your seat." Neal offered his arm.

They were exiting the dance floor and she was feeling that feeling again when they parted at Mr. McCarthy's ranch. She heard the orchestra playing a slow music when her attention was caught by the sight of those blondes. They're giggling looking to their direction, doubtless, watching Neal.

Candy stole a glanced at him then looked back at those women. If she's not dancing with him, would he dance with them? For whatever reason, she found the prospect disturbing!

"Uhm, Neal," said Candy. "How about we do another dance?"

"A slow dance?" He looked aghast.

"Yes. To cool down. It's my turn to invite you to make us… equal. We're friends, you said."

"Delightedly!" Grinning, Neal led her back to the dance floor.

"Slow dance is done this way." Neal deliberately pulled her very close to him. He expected she would struggle and protest loudly.

She didn't.

"How else would one do a slow dance?" She giggled then surprisingly she leaned forward and rested her cheek on his chest.

Neal froze. He's so sure everyone in the ballroom could hear his heartbeat.

"Start moving, Neal! You can do slow dance, I hope?" she teased.

Neal swallowed. He had Candy melting in his arms. His brain went so muddled that he couldn't speak. Silently he brought his hand on her back and guided her in a slow sway. Neither of them spoke. He wished the dance would never end so he could hold her forever.

The music ended, he slowed and stopped but didn't release her. They're standing still, him holding her.

"You haven't said what you think of my sandwiches...," she sighed, bringing him back to his senses.

"Love them," he whispered. "I love everything about you."

He stared at her lovely face. His gaze landed at those sweet red lips which he had always wanted to kiss since nine years ago. He lowered his head, letting her warm breath caressing his jaw, and inhaled the fragrance of her perfume. It was seductive, intoxicating... but felt strangely familiar.

What was it?

Alden's dry flowers…? Suddenly he realized.

Alden... !

-To be continued-

Thanks for for the time and patience. We'll be done in a few chapters. Soon!

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NOTE:

Nasty Juliet: scene from manga

Sandwiches: ch 20, Candy makes Neal sandwiches.

oOo