She was breathtaking.
Far more stunning in reality than I could have possibly imagined.
Her short bob with bangs—her signature look, though she wasn’t wearing her round glasses—was pinned back with sparking clips showing off the elegant length of her neck. Her petite figure was wrapped in a clinging purple fabric that made me long to run my hands over it. I yearned to get closer to her. To shake her hand. To grab her and tell her to run away with me.
Whoa.
Where had that come from?
No. She was here with her boyfriend, no matter how big a prat he was. It wasn’t my place. I promised myself it would be enough to just see her. To possibly shake her hand. And if there was a god, maybe have an actual conversation with her.
The line to meet us had dissolved, and now the three of us were free to wander to our seats and eat our dinners.
A glance to Kate found her looking absolutely crestfallen. Well, she hadn’t missed her chance to meet us. I would ensure it. Her boyfriend pointed to the tables where other guests were getting settled.
“Hey.” Emma nudged my ribs. Her gaze followed mine to the bar and I tensed. “Are you okay? Need to step out and call your sponsor?” she whispered it quietly, her back to the rest of the room so it would look like she was just making chitchat.
My fists unclenched. I raised a stern eyebrow at her in question.
“You’re staring at the bar like you’ve been crawling through the desert and it’s the last glass of water on earth.”
Haha, no, no, my oldest friend. That look of desperate longing is directed at the woman I could never hope to have.
“I’m fine,” I said gruffly.
“I’m worried about you tonight,” she said softly. “You seem … off?”
I brought my focus back to her and flashed a reassuring smile. “I promise I’m okay. Just, you know. It’s been a bit since I’ve been out and around this many people. I’m trying not to embarrass you.”
“You’re doing just fine,” she said. “And remember, the less you talk the more mysterious you seem.” She poked me teasingly.
“That’s me. Man of mystery.”
She gave me a soft smile before raising on her tiptoes, and I bent to let her kiss my forehead. My eyes flicked up to find Kate watching us. Her eyes widened fractionally before glancing away and back at the table in front of her.
A camera flashed right as Emma’s lips brushed me. “So much for no pictures tonight,” I grumbled.
I sighed as Emma pulled away with a wince.
“Well, that’ll be all over the internet in five minutes. And thus fueling the rumor fire for another year. Sorry.” She put her arm through mine.
“Don’t be,” I said. “Better than most of the shite they post about me.”
Harrison broke away and joined us. “I’m starved.”
“Come on, fellas, let’s eat.” She looped her other arm through Harrison’s and dragged us to our assigned seats at the center of the room.
As the food was passed around, I only allowed myself to check in with Kate two more times. The air returned to my lungs when I saw her eating. My jaw unclenched when she laughed genuinely at something her neighbour said.
Her stupid prat boyfriend looked absolutely miserable and was on his third or fourth drink at least. His posture continued to slip in the chair, eyes turning glassy.
After dinner, the DJ brought up the tempo, and guests flocked to the dance floor. It really was like a wedding.
I was trying to contrive a way to meet Kate when the opportunity presented itself naturally.
Whether Emma believed that I was actually nervous or she was worried I’d sneak a drink when she wasn’t watching, she hadn’t left my side for more than a few minutes the entire night. I’d be annoyed if I wasn’t secretly relieved to have her close like a security blanket. I was a huge baby.
Harrison had wandered to the bar to get a drink. Kate slipped off to the restroom, and the second she was gone, the boyfriend slithered back to the bar. He noticed Harrison and started chatting him up. Harrison, used to oily suck-ups, placated him accordingly but had the look of wanting to be saved.
