Shoot.I hadn’t seen him since our breakup, somehow. Why was he here? But then I noticed his parents standing next to him. Of course, they’re exactly the type of people we hoped would come to this event. People with deep pockets, a deep attachment to the island, and an annual charitable giving goal set by their financial advisors.
As if he could feel me watching, Max turned in my direction and caught my eye before I could look away. The floor was nearlysilent now, Luke would be speaking any second. I nodded, acknowledging him, hoping my facial expression didn’t reveal the tension I felt in my gut. He nodded back, eyes widening before he turned away.
I shifted my stance so Max and his parents were no longer in my periphery and focused all my attention on Luke.
“Thank you all for being here. Jeremiah and I and all of us at Karas Construction are truly humbled by the community’s support for this housing project. When the town started discussing housing solutions that could help with the seasonal workforce shortage, we were immediately in favor. We’re honored we won the bid, and so grateful that the community here tonight has generously contributed to the cause, which will directly support our ability to keep rent low and manage the neighborhood once it’s built. We hope you all enjoy the rest of the event and thank you again.”
Short, sweet, perfect.
He handed the mic to the band lead, and the din of conversation under the clear tent resumed. He scanned the crowd. His eyes found mine immediately, and a smile spread on his face.
I beamed back at him.
He strode toward me as the crowd continued to disperse, headed for the bars, the food stations, or the tables on the lawn.
“How’d I do?” he asked, standing in front of me looking handsome and relieved.
“Perfect.”
His mouth ticked up. “I need a real drink now. Come with me?”
He nodded in the direction of the bar in the far corner of the tent, extending his hand. I took it, and we navigated through the clusters of people like that, hand-in-hand.
Once we got to the front of the line he said, “I’ll have an old fashioned and she’ll have…” He turned to me, eyebrows raised.
“Rosé, please.” Francesca, bless her, had ensured the bar stocked a good rosé.
Luke smirked knowingly and I shrugged. His hand found mylower back while we waited. I was becoming dangerously accustomed to his little touches.
Once we had our drinks he guided me along the edge of the dance floor under the tent, toward a less populated part of the lawn. Pink streaks lingered in the sky, the last traces of the sun’s departure a few minutes ago. A pleasant, tingling warmth emanated through me from the place where Luke’s hand rested on my back as we walked. At an event among hundreds of people, it felt like a secret just between us.
When we turned the corner around the end of the tent, we nearly collided with another attendee.
“Sorry,” I said reflexively. My stomach dropped when I saw who it was.
Max’s sky blue eyes were a storm as he looked between me and Luke. His gaze stopped where Luke’s hand met my back.
“The nanny sleeping with the single dad, very original you two,” Max said with venom. He looked directly at me. “I thought you were better than that, Val.”
Luke removed his hand and clenched his fist at his side. “Don’t disrespect her, Max,” he said slowly, firmly. Of course he knew exactly who he was.
“Or what?” He must be drunk, antagonizing a man he’d never met like this.
“Or you’ll be heading back to the city with a broken jaw.”
“Like you’d risk an assault and battery charge,” Max sneered.
“Wanna test that theory?” Luke’s tone was steady, almost blasé, but his eyes were damning.
“Whatever, asshole.” Max gave me one more disgusted look before passing by, bumping Luke’s shoulder deliberately. Luke clenched his fist at his side again but didn’t turn around.
“Were you really going to hit him?”
“Probably not. Especially here. But he’s lucky he was smart enough to walk away. I can’t believe he fucking said that to you.”
“It’s okay. I mean, it’s not, but I’m okay. I think he’s just bitter…maybe.” My pulse was still racing.
My eyes drank in Luke’s face. His jaw was tense, but his eyes were clear. We walked farther away from the tent. It was hot, Luke defending me. I realized he never tried to say Max was wrong in his assumption that we were sleeping together.
