We each put aplastic lid on our coffee, and I figure the moment is over. The keynote speechwill begin any second now, but I don’t want the moment to be over. To my great relief,Gabe looks at me. “Want to sit together?”
“Weareboth Texans,” I say as casually as Ican muster. No need to let him know how much I’m swooning right now. “Seemslike the right thing to do.”
He flashes me agrin that is all white teeth and then motions for me to lead the way. I find aspot near the front that has two empty seats, and when he sits next to me, I geta rush of his cologne. He smells woodsy, and clean, and oddly enough, veryTexan. It’s comforting since I’m here in another state where I don’t knowanything, or anyone.
I am totally overthe moon that this year’s celebrated keynote speaker is a woman. It’s the firsttime the small business convention has invited a woman business owner to do themain speech. She’s vibrant and beautiful, and probably in her fifties. I amtotally caught up in her words, and the forty-five minute speech goes byentirely too quickly. I even forget about Gabe and his muscular stature that’ssitting right next to me. This woman’s words feel so empowering. She talksabout being the only woman in her engineering field, and how she got thecourage to branch off and start her own firm. Her whole career took off afterthat brave move, and now she’s so much more successful than she ever would havebeen if she stayed working for a company that wasn’t her own.
I’ve never felt soinspired in my life. Even if I don’t get a single other thing from thisconvention, it was all worth it for this keynote speech. I feel good aboutmyself for the first time in a long time. I’m not just some silly girl with adream to bake cupcakes. I’m a business owner. I’m an employer. I totally rock.
I’m still high oninspiration when her speech wraps up and is suddenly over. Thunderous applausefills the room, mine included.
The announcer stepsup to the podium and tells us that we can now go to the nearby conference roomsand enjoy panels on various business topics, or that we can check out thevendor room. I take out the schedule I was given during check-in and look forthe panels I wanted to attend.
“That was a greatspeech,” Gabe says. “That woman totally kicks ass.”
“I know! I lovedher,” I say.
People startgetting up and heading off to do other things, but we’re still seated. This isawkward because I really don’t want to leave him, but I also need to check outthe panels I came here to attend.
“So where are youheaded next?” he asks, as if sensing my thoughts. Or, maybe, he feels the sameway I do.
I glance at myschedule. “Health insurance for small business,” I say. Right now I only havetwo employees and I pay them hourly. I’d love to be able to offer benefitsbecause Livi needs health insurance and I don’t want her to leave me foranother company.
“Cool,” he says,but there’s a little disappointment in his eyes. “I’m headed to a real estatepanel. I imagine it’s going to be very, very boring,” he says with an eye roll.
I’m about to askhim why he’s going if he doesn’t think he’ll like it, but two guys walk upwearing Texas nametags as well. They look about our age, or maybe younger.They’re both pale with dark skin and look like brothers.
“There you are,”one of them says to Gabe. “You ready?”
“Yeah,” he says,then stands up. I stand up too just so it looks like I’m not some loser who isdesperate to hang out with him.
Right as he turnsto me, I decide to prove that I’m definitely not a loser. “See ya,” I say,giving a little wave as I turn and walk off in the other direction.
I feel bold andconfident, but I’d be lying if I said a part of me was hoping he’d call afterme. Ask me to stop, and give him my number or something. Or ask me to meet uplater for dinner. Anything.
But he doesn’t.When I’m across the room, I glance back and see him walking with his twofriends, their focus on their schedules.Ugh. Why did I get my hopes up?
It’s just a hotguy. He’s here for the convention, just like I am. He’s not here to meet girls,he’s here to learn about real estate.
I take in a deepbreath and let it out slowly. Who cares about Gabe Barr? I’m a business woman.I’m here for business.
Still, I glanceback one last time before I leave the room, and I see him, standing across thehallway.
Looking right atme.
Chapter 4
The guys insistthat we sit in the back row of the small conference room that’s hosting thereal estate panel. I try to argue for a spot up front, but they refuse becausethey are idiots who prefer to do as little work as possible. Pure nepotism isthe only reason they’re employed at my company. My mother begged me to give mycousins a job after they both flunked their realtor exam and my aunt was scaredthey’d turn out to be deadbeat losers like their dad.
Jason and Jeremyare twenty-two years old, but our six year age difference sometimes feels likedecades.
I love my momthough, and my aunt, so I went against my better judgement and hired them bothas assistants until they can study harder and finally pass their exams tobecome a licensed real estate agent. Right now I have them doing the grunt workof putting up for sale signs and arranging the photographers and doing stuffaround the office.
I’m tempted toleave their lazy asses in the back row while I find a spot up front, but I staybecause I need to make sure they’re paying attention. I prefer being close tothe front that way I can focus on the speakers. If I’m too far back I’ll getdistracted. I’m paying a lot of money to bring these guys with me this year,and we’re going to get my money’s worth.
Of course, I getthe feeling that my location doesn’t matter much. As I sit behind an overweightman who smells like cigarettes, I’m already having a hard time concentratingbecause I keep thinking about her.
That cute Texan whohad long gorgeous hair and an even more beautiful smile. Plus, her ass lookedamazing in those pants. If Jason and Jeremy hadn’t retrieved me after the keynote,I probably would have blown off my entire schedule to follow her around to herpanels, as stupid as that would have been.
