Charade Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The next day she headed back to work, trying to forget what she had learned yesterday. She wasn’t very successful. The door opened, her secretary walked in.

“So what are you wearing?”
Nora looked up at her confused.

“Oh Nora, don’t tell me you forgot!”
“What?”
“Nora tonight is the mayor’s ball.”
Nora felt her heart sink, no way she wanted to go that. Seeing Bo and Lindsay celebrating the engagement. But she promised the mayor.

“I totally forgot it.”
“You have something to wear?”
“I am sure I can find something.”
“Okay, well have fun. Terry dropped off the contracts, it looks like he corrected them.”
Nora took the papers.

“Thanks Shannon.”

She put the papers down and closed her eyes. Tonight was going to be awful, so many people she didn’t want to see would be there. Lindsay and Sam being at the top of that list. Sam, he became insufferable after the divorce. She didn’t want anything to do with him, it took her nearly six months for him to leave her alone.

She wondered if she could get out of this? But she knew she couldn’t, the mayor had asked her to be his escort. She doubt it had anything to do with her, but more with the fact that he hated Bo and wanted to stick it to him. He was an okay guy, little to into himself, but he made her laugh and wasn’t horrible to look at. She packed up her work and headed home to get ready.

Getting ready was harder than she realized, her closet was filled with dresses from when her and Bo were married, each with their own memories, from their first date to the night that Drew was killed. She decided to wear a little black number that she had worn during one of Asa’s parties, it was a memory, but not a strong one. As she finished the doorbell rang. She headed downstairs.

She opened the door.

“Wow, Nora you look beautiful.”
“Thank you Neil, you look nice too.”
Neil tugged on his bowtie and raised his eyebrows.

“Thank you. You ready?”
“Yes.”
Nora took his arm he was offering as they headed out for the night.

As the walked in Nora knew this was an awful mistake. Everyone’s was looking and talking about her and mayor as they walked in. She knew they knew about Bo and Lindsay’s news, now she walking to the room on the arm of a man Bo hated. She sighed. Suck it up Nora. Neil guided her farther into the room. She tried to mingle the best she could, she saw Bo come in with Lindsay. She stayed far away from them, she looked around was pleasantly surprised to see no Sam.

“Nora?”
“Hmm?”
“We are the opening dance.”
Nora felt her eyes widen.

“WHAT?”
Neil laughed.

“Nora it is the mayor’s ball, the mayor generally is the first to dance. Don’t be nervous I know you are a fantastic dancer.”

Nora felt flustered but took his hand. They headed to the middle of the floor and began to dance. He wasn’t bad, no Bo Buchanan, but not bad. She felt Bo’s eyes on her as she danced with Neil, she tried to ignore him the best she could. As the song ended the crowd clapped. She moved to the side as Neil danced with some of the judges. She could still feel Bo eyes on her, she finally looked over. Their eyes meet, she felt time stand still. She looked away quickly, she needed some air. She found a balcony door and walked out of the room. She closed her eyes trying to clear her mind. She heard the door open.

“Bo.”
He came over to her and stood next to her. She kept her eyes closed.

“You look beautiful.”
She opened her eyes and looked into his eyes, her heart skipped a bit, they weren’t hard or cold. Instead they were loving with some sadness.

“Thank you.” Nora looked away from him. “Bo, are you okay?”

“Yeah, why?”
She shrugged. They were quiet for a bit. Nora could hear the party going on. Bo put his hand out.

“Dance with me?”
Nora was shocked, but she took his hand. Bo pulled her to him putting his hand around her waist as she put her hand on his shoulder. They slowly danced, their bodies moved closer and closer until they were pressed tight. Nora put her head on his shoulder. They swayed even after the music stopped. Nora sighed, she almost felt normal.

She gasped softly when she felt Bo kiss her shoulder. Nora stopped dancing as he slowly kissed up her neck, Nora heart was beating wildly. Bo finally pulled back their eyes meet again, Bo slowly moved towards her as their lips meet. Nora moaned as she felt the familiar spark from Bo kissing her. Bo pulled her body to him as they kissed passionately. Nora gasped in Bo’s mouth as his hands began to lower her zipper. This seemed to bring her back to reality. She gently pushed him away and walked over to the wall, she wrapped her arms around herself.

“What was that Bo?”
When Bo didn’t say anything Nora looked over at him. He was running his hands over his face and shaking his head.

“I don’t know. I guess I am scared. Nora I don’t love Lindsay.”
Nora closed her eyes.

“Then why are marrying her.”
Bo laughed.

“Because she is pregnant.”
“That doesn’t mean that you need to marry her.”
Bo looked over at her with sad eyes.

“Yes I do, I don't’ want to miss my child’s life. I may have lost my chance with you, but I am not giving this child up.”
“You don’t have to Bo! Is it going to be good for this child if it is raised by two people who don’t really love each other?”

Bo shook his head.

“It doesn’t matter.”
“Yes it does.”
“NO IT DOESN’T!””
“Why?”
Bo laughed bitterly.

“Because the woman I really love, lied and cheated on me. It doesn’t matter who I am with I will never love them because my heart was crushed by you.”
Nora felt her tears starting.

“I am sorry Bo.”
He raised his hand.

“Please I don’t want to hear it.” He sighed. “We should go back in, I am sure they mayor is waiting for you.”
Bo walked over to her kissing her again, then walked back inside. Nora took a few deep breaths preventing the tears from escaping. She turned and went back to the party.