I wasn’t sure what to say to that, so I settled on “okay” before I turned away from him.
“Are you, um…are you a big Fading Atlas fan?”
From the corner of my eye, I saw him take a step closer to me like he was determined to continue the conversation. I hesitated and then turned back to face him.
“Would I be here if I wasn’t?” I paused and closed my lips, internally scolding myself for being so snippy. I was just not used to this, even though I needed to be. I should welcome flirting from the opposite sex because, lord knows, I needed the practice. The board’s expectations were still there, even if I was determined to ignore them.
In Harmony, Sabrina’s sudden return had shifted Abigail’s focus away from my situation, and I was grateful for that. I’d been able to finish my visit and return to New York without having another breakdown. Left to my own devices, I was perfectly content to go back to living my life like nothing had changed.
I’d been happy to forget my whole situation, until I was reminded yesterday in a meeting with Charles that the board was still expecting me to fulfill the CEO stipulation or I was going to have to step down. My reality came crashing down on me whether I wanted it to or not. The temptation to walk out on Torres Investments had been strong, but I’d forced myself to give him a curt nod and promise that I was working on it—even if that was a lie.
I guess there was no time like the present.
I took a deep breath and calmed my frustration. I forced a smile, and the stranger’s expression quickly morphed from confusion to excitement as he stared down at me.
“I’m a huge Fading Atlas fan,” I lied. I’d already failed at dating Harmony men, maybe the answer was guys from New York.
The man’s eyebrows went up. “Me, too,” he said, taking a step forward like I had invited him into my personal space.
Annoyance pricked the back of my neck from his sudden encroachment. I wanted to walk away. I wanted to flee. But Timothy wanted a drink, and I knew I sucked at flirting, so I forced myself to stay put and continue.
“What’s your favorite song?” I asked. That was a stupid question because I knew none of them. I was only here to support Sabrina. I hoped that he wouldn’t suddenly break out in song and expect me to join him. That would make things more awkward than they already were.
He studied me and then glanced up at the menu above my head. I was confused when he didn’t answer right away. He sighed. “I don’t know,” he whispered.
I frowned.
He flicked his gaze back down and then back up. “I’m here with my daughter. She’s the fan.” He sighed and turned his attention back to me. “I’m the designated chauffeur.”
“Ah,” I said and found myself smiling. It was cute that he was comfortable enough to admit he was here as a non-fan, not knowing that I was in the same boat.
He leaned in. “You’re not going to tell on me, right?” His eyebrows went up.
I pretended to lock my lips and throw away the key. “Your secret is safe with me.”
He smiled as he held my gaze. “Name’s James.”
This wasn’t too bad. I could be on a first-name basis with this man. “Emery.”
His gaze turned soft. “Emery,” he said, his voice low like he was savoring the feel of it on his tongue. He knitted his eyebrows together. “Any chance I can get your number?”
My entire body froze as I stared up at him. Flashbacks of breaking down in my car and breaking down at Abigail’s shop flooded my mind. I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t ready to date or flirt, so why was I doing this?
“Next!”
“She’s talking to you.” A blonde-haired woman behind us in line motioned toward the concession stand.
I turned to see that I was now at the front of the line. His question mixed with embarrassment that I was holding everyone up had me scrambling to remember how to function. I managed to get out Timothy’s drink order and pay for it. The concession staffer looked annoyed as she handed me the bottle of Sprite.
I took the bottle from her and stepped out of the way. James didn’t place an order as he followed after me.
“I didn’t mean to startle you,” he said.
I gripped the cold soda bottle like it was my lifeline. Guilt and anger pricked at my skin as I met his gaze. All I wanted to do was run away. But I didn’t want to be rude. James had been nice and, to anyone else, his question was innocent.
“I didn’t see a ring, so I figured…” His voice drifted off as he studied me.
“I’m flattered, but the answer is no.” My voice was weak as I forced a smile.
