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“Likewise.”
“Alex is the CEO of Conch Investments,” Harvey said to Theo. “I’ve been meaning to introduce you for a while.”
“I’m familiar with it.” Theo nodded his head and reached into his pocket. He pulled out his wallet and handed Alex a card. “I’m in the Lake District for another two weeks on business, but if you call my office, we can arrange a meeting when I’m back. I’m sure Chloe would be happy to set it up, right?” He peered at me, a hint of darkness in his eyes.
I smiled tightly. “Of course.”
Alex glanced at me. “Are you all right, Chloe?”
God bless him. “Actually, I do have a bit of a headache. I think I’ll go inside and take a breather.” I got to my feet and grabbed my bag.
“Will you be fine alone? Let me come with you.”
I forced myself to smile. “No, please enjoy the party. I won’t be long.”
Concern flashed through his gaze. “Are you sure?”
“Perfectly sure.” I shrugged off Harvey’s hand. “Please excuse me.”
I ducked away before anyone could say anything else and made my way through the outdoor crowd, careful to avoid eye contact with anyone. Thank God that Aunt Fizz’s idea of a party was closer to an evening gala type event than loud music and a dancefloor—it was an easy event to slip in and out of as needed, and slipping out of it was exactly what I needed to do right now.
I walked back inside the hotel and headed for the elevator. Aunt Fizz and Uncle Jay had booked several rooms as rest spaces, and I had the key for one as I’d gotten ready here earlier this afternoon after we’d had our hair done. It was the one thing they always did for a party—Aunt Fizz said you never knew who’d fall ill or have too many drinks at a party, and they were able to book rooms for emergencies.
This wasn’t an emergency, but it was my hotel room. I had no intention of staying here tonight, but I was glad I’d listened to her earlier when she’d told me to keep hold of the key for now.
Aunt Fizz was smart.
When I grew up, I totally wanted to be her.
I let myself into my room and kicked off my heels. I itched to reach back and unzip this stupidly tight dress, too. If I did that, I’d never end up back at the party, and then I’d really hear it from Harvey.
Not to mention I had better manners than to skip out completely on Alex. It wasn’t his fault that my heart was all kinds of mixed up. I at least owed it to him to say goodbye properly at the end of the night, regardless of my intent of seeing him again.
Or not, as the case was.
Even without my irritating feelings for Theo, there was simply too much going on in my life right now to add a relationship with a stranger into it.
Crap.
The mere thought of that made me want to sigh.
Was I being responsible or gaslighting myself? That was the million-pound question right there.
Three light knocks sounded at the door, and I flinched.
Who was that?
I walked over to the door and peeked through the peephole. I wish I could have been surprised at the distorted face of Theodore Black on the other side of the door, but I really wasn’t.
I was all out of surprise.
Hmm.
If I ignored it, would he think he had the wrong room and leave?
“Chloe? I know you’re in there. Your aunt told me the room number.”
What a traitor.
