I unlocked the door to my house. I'd been at the gym since seven a.m. helping prepare for the ball. The gym really went all out for the event, but after all, it wasn't just a celebration. The gym was using their ten-year celebration ball as a fundraiser. The members of the gym were able to donate different tiers of money to participate in the ball. All proceeds were going to Healthy Heart Beats, an organization that raised awareness about heart disease and prevention.

I only had an hour and a half to get ready and get over to pick Penny up. I couldn't shake the anxious feeling that had been plaguing me since I woke up that morning. This was more than a ball to me and my mind wouldn't let me forget it.

I made quick work of showering. I added product to my hair and styled it in a way I'd seen some of the guys in GQ magazine do. I'd sprung for a new suit and a purple tie. Noel told me the color of Penny's dress so we could match. I gave myself a once over in the mirror and noticed the hint of a smile was there. I was taking Penny, my love, to the ball. I was a lucky bastard and I knew it.

Standing in front of Penelope's door I straightened my tie. I brought my hand up to my hair to be sure that it was still in place. Really, I was wasting time. My nerves were at an all-time high. Reaching my hand up I knocked before I had any more time to sit and contemplate. There were footsteps scurrying around on the other side of the door. Then the door was being opened and my breath was stolen.

My heart didn't know what hit it. Penny's curves were covered in a purple dress that hugged her in all the right places. Her hair was straight and flowing past her shoulder blades. Her eyes were accentuated by the makeup she'd chosen to wear. She was beautiful.

"Hey, everything ok?" I heard her say.

I blinked my eyes to clear my mind enough to answer. "Y-yeah, everything's great. More than great. You look so gorgeous."

She looked up at me through thick lashes and said, "Thank you. You look very handsome as well."

I stepped toward her needing to touch her. I bent down to place a kiss on her cheek. To my surprise, she turned her head and my lips landed on hers. Unable to stop myself I deepened the kiss. She wrapped her hands around my waist and hugged me to her body. Just as quickly as it started it was over. She pulled back and looked up at me.

"We better get going. Let me grab my bag."

A few seconds later she returned bag in tow. She locked up, and I escorted her to my car.

When we arrived at the ball, there were already quite a few people there. I offered her my elbow and led her into the building. Penelope gasped when she took in the gym that had been turned into a ballroom. Her eyes darted around the space taking it all in.

"Wow, they really transformed this space. I can't believe they were able to do all of this with a gym."

"Trust me, it took hours. I was here at seven a.m. helping set stuff up."

Penelope turned toward me and placed her hands on my chest.

"Well, you did a fabulous job. Maybe you have a future career in party planning?" She giggled at that.

"Heck no, the lady who coordinated most of this was running around like a mad woman barking orders saying that everything had to be perfect. Too much stress. I was mostly here for the heavy lifting." I said winking at her.

"I bet you were."

Most everyone had drinks in their hands and were mingling. There were trays with Hors d’oeuvres going around.

"Would you like to get a drink?" I leaned down and asked in her ear. I felt a subtle shiver run through her body.

"Sure."

I grabbed her hand and led her to the bar.

"What would you like, sweetheart?"

"I'll take a glass of wine, please."

We walked around and spoke with some of my coworkers and clients until dinner started. We sat at a table full of my co-workers. Penelope fit right in. She was animated when speaking with some of them about their websites and ideas they could incorporate. She even gave a few of them her business cards and bagged them as potential clients.

After the dinner plates were cleared, music began to play over the speakers that had been set up around the gym. It sounded like a slow folk song. I didn't care what it was just that it was slow. Penelope was in the middle of a conversation with one of the female trainers at the gym when I lightly grabbed her hand. She looked over her shoulder at me and smiled.

"Would you like to dance?"

Her smile widened, and she nodded her head yes. She turned back to the other woman to let her know she was going to dance, and that it was a pleasure to speak to her. Then she turned back to me. I helped her from her chair and guided her to the dance floor. She placed her hands on my shoulders as I wrapped my arms around her waist.

She rested her head against my chest as we swayed to the music When I looked down at her, her eyes were closed. She looked peaceful. Like that was the only place she wanted to be. I wanted her to always feel that way with me from now until forever. I loved her more than I knew was possible.

I rested my head on top of hers enjoying the smell of her.

"I love you," I whispered.

We stayed like that in each other's arms swaying to the music. For just a while it felt like we were in our own little world. There were no outside problems or interferences. Just the two of us, together.

Far too quickly the music died down and someone started speaking over the microphone. My heart started beating quickly in my chest. I counted slowly to ten and then back down to on in an attempt to calm my nerves. This was the portion of the night where the top donors would be recognized and speeches would be given. That also meant it was almost my turn. I'd prepared over and over in my head but that didn't change the fact that I was scared out of my mind.

We took our seats and listened to the line of speakers. The fundraiser was a success and a nice amount of donations had been raised. I zoned out for much of the speeches. I was too distracted by my own speech to focus on anything else. Penny reached over to start rubbing my back and asked if I was ok. She must have sensed my anxiety. I gave her a weak smile and a nodded.

"Next we have a word from one of our personal trainers here at the gym, Reed Colston." 

Hearing my name pulled me from my thoughts. I looked at Penny and she quirked an eyebrow at me. I mouthed I love you to her before getting up and going to the podium. I focused on taking slow and steady breaths as I approached. This would by far be the most important speech of my life.