Emily's POV

"You look beautiful, my dear," Xavier's voice echoed through the quiet foyer of the ballroom, and I turned to look back at him.

"So do you," I complimented back. He was dressed in a black silk tuxedo and a white dress shirt.

He came closer and looked me in the eyes.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

I reached out and fixed his bow tie and pulled my lips in a thin line, nodding.

I wasn't particularly in the mood for this social gathering, but it was my ...