LOGINMARY'S POV:The whole crazy idea had originally been my own creation, but he seemed infinitely more enthusiastic about executing it than I ever was. And he certainly made it a lot more dramatic. He had chosen a costume made of rich black leather, textured faux fur, and bold theatrical makeup, transforming his appearance into something wild and striking. The outfit fit his tall frame to absolute perfection, drawing attention to the broadness of his shoulders, the natural strength in his arms, and the sharp, handsome angles of his face.As for me, I had been gently forced into a stunning gown made of shimmering ice blue and silver fabric, with my hair swept up high and a delicate crown of sparkling crystals perched securely on top. The material caught every stray ray of sunlight with every step I took, shining like frozen water. I felt like I had stepped straight out of a storybook and into a reality where I didn't quite belong.Every single parent, teacher, and passing pedestrian wh
MARY'S POV:Marl proved to be thoroughly unimpressed with the Fairy Godmother costume I had prepared for myself. He picked it up by the hanger, holding it near the window light while his brow furrowed in quiet doubt and his lips pressed into a thin, critical line. He turned the garment over in his hands, inspecting every single seam and stitch, before slowly shaking his head. The fabric was soft and pale, the colors muted and quiet, and the overall design simple and modest.He clearly thought it was far too old-fashioned and that the colors lacked any real life. He insisted that I needed to wear something that would genuinely catch everyone's attention at the school event, something that would match the excitement my daughter deserved, rather than something so quiet. He wanted more sparkle, more drama, more flair.I closed my eyes and imagined what I would actually look like walking around a school yard wearing one of those flashy creations. I wouldn't just be participating in a fu
MARY'S POV:Yet another voice inside my head immediately argued back that all of those thoughts were purely based on hearsay. When had I ever become the kind of person who judged someone based on neighborhood gossip instead of trusting her own eyes? The Marl I had actually experienced firsthand was kind, endlessly patient, and genuinely thoughtful. He had helped me out of difficult spots without ever demanding anything in return. He had been so sweet and gentle with my little girl when she needed it most. He had stood up for me when the rest of the world looked away.Then the louder, more cautious voice cut right back in.So what if the rumors weren't true? He was still a charming, wealthy bachelor with an impressive life, while I was simply an ordinary woman trapped in a messy divorce, raising a child alone without any powerful background or safety net. Even if we could trust each other, we barely knew one another. We lived in entirely different universes. He belonged to a world o
Mary's POV: "If you talk to every woman like that, I can see how you've earned your reputation," I said, trying to sound completely composed while my voice stumbled over the syllables. The words came out breathless and uneven, nothing like the cool dismissal I had originally intended. My voice cracked slightly on the final word, and I felt a hot wave of blood rush straight to my cheeks. I wanted nothing more than to sink right through the ground, to disappear into thin air, or to pretend I hadn't just spoken with such embarrassing transparency. "Just you." He took a slow step back and flashed a gentle smile. It looked as though tiny stars had fallen right into his eyes. Otherwise, how could they possibly look so bright, so warm, and so deeply inviting that I felt an overwhelming pull to step closer? The soft corners of his eyes crinkled in amusement, his lips curved upward, and for a fleeting second, the entire room seemed to fade into a blur. There was only him, and me, and t
MARY'S POV:"Oh, I am just so glad you do not think they are childish or silly..." The heavy, tight knot that had been sitting squarely on my chest finally began to loosen, letting me take a deep, easy breath for the first time in minutes."Childish? Well, maybe a little bit too cute for your daughter's current tastes, considering I saw her collecting pop star stickers the other day. Kids grow up way too fast, do they not?"He started picking up the larger items, the full-size wearable costumes designed to fit a person, and playfully held them up against his own shoulders to see how the colors looked against his frame. He lifted a bright red and blue Spider-Man costume, holding it right up against his dark shirt with a wide grin."What?"The tight knot slammed right back down onto my chest with sudden, shocking force.I had not even noticed that my own daughter's interests had shifted so drastically! Did that terrifying realization mean all my hard work had been a complete waste
MARY'S POV:His piercing gaze locked onto my eyes, so intensely focused that it felt like a warm beam of sunlight. I could feel the heat radiating from him, the sheer weight of his attention, and the way his eyes seemed to look straight past my nervous exterior.I braced myself inside for a few sharp, cutting remarks.I expected the polite dismissal, the forced smile, or the gentle letdown that would instantly confirm every single fear I had harbored."You made your own custom Disney collection? Oh, and classic superheroes, too. Wait a minute, does this little pumpkin carriage actually work? Do you seriously have an entire homemade princess squad right here?"He looked genuinely excited, his posture shifting with eager curiosity.His eyes were wide and bright, his voice rising with real, unfeigned enthusiasm. He leaned closer to the table, examining each individual piece with the type of focused attention that made me feel like I was suddenly the only person in the entire room. H







