Harrison shot an arched eyebrow my way.
Great. Now I looked like a tool who assumed everybody knew who I was.
Emma asked about Kate’s affiliation with the franchise, but their voices faded away as I tried to collect myself. I assumed it would be hard to see her. I assumed it would be challenging to hold all my feelings at bay. But I had no idea I would react to her so physically. It didn’t seem fair.
I needed to say something more. How does one not act like a total wanker?
My throat locked up. With every passing second, I didn’t speak, I felt my face contort in anger with myself. I was a grown man and couldn’t string together a few polite sentences. But this woman deserved to hear the right thing. I needed to give the right first impression and every wasted second was too late.
I allowed myself one more look at Kate.
Her dark brown hair tucked behind the soft shell of her ear.
Look away. Count to ten.
Her sweet heart-shaped face framed by fringe.
Look away. Count to ten.
Her full mouth, dangerously seductive in contrast to her innocent round face.
The conversation whizzed on around me, and I was stuck in slow motion.
It was too much. I was mucking all this up. I needed to clear my head. I needed to get away from her and the sweet scent that clung to the air around her. I needed to stop myself from punching Pete in his stupid face.
Kate looked directly at me. Her mouth moved. Her gaze flicked to mine and away. She was asking me something. I couldn’t hear her. What was she saying? The blood pumped too loudly in my ears.
I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Excuse me.” I pushed away and rushed to the loo.
I gripped the basin, taking deep breaths.
I’d made a complete arse out of myself. I’d only had one shot to meet her and make her see I was more than some random celebrity and I ruined it.
“Bloody fucking hell,” I swore at my reflection.
My eyes were narrowed in frustration. Anger made my neck red. I took a deep breath in and out. What the hell was I doing?
I wouldn’t waste this chance. I splashed my face with water and patted myself dry as I collected myself.
I knew how to talk to her. We’d been talking for two years. I knew her better than anybody else,goddammit. Definitely better than that Klester-fuck.
I walked back out, determined to start up a conversation. Anything.
Searching the room for a purple dress and sparkling eyes, Emma found my gaze and raised an eyebrow. I waved off her concern.
They were gone. Kate must have left after I acted so unfathomably rude. I ran a hand down my face.
Just like that, it was all over. All these months of buildup. Us. Finally meeting. I blew it.
17
Kate
As I staredat Charles Downing’s retreating form, a wave of mortification crashed over me. All these years daydreaming of a time I’d get to meet him, and I managed to ruin it all in a single conversation.
“What’d you say to him?” Pete slurred at me.
