I looked back toward the figure by the wall. Hang on a minute. I recognized that rangy frame.
That tall silhouette.
Those long, muscular arms, which were now wearing a dark gray suit jacket.
No. Surely not…
Holyshit.
What washedoing here?
His arms were folded as he leaned against the low wall, staring through the Novexia disciples’ heads like he was looking for someone.
Me?
My heart gave a little lift, and I elbowed James in the ribs a bit too hard, making him scowl. “It’s Liam,” I whispered urgently. “Look!”
“What?” James whispered back, frowning. “Ooh, shit. No way, Andy. Your man from the lift.” He poked Monish in the side and gestured to Liam with his head. “Check out who showed up looking for Andy.”
Monish raised his brows calmly, as if unsurprised to see the universe unfolding as he’d expected.
“What’s he doing here?” I hissed. “Not the best timing to come looking for me. Von Roth will be here any moment. If he interrupts this, I’m dead.”
Shit. Gerald was building up to his crescendo, and Liam looked like he had no idea what was coming.
I had to stop him.
Weaving my way through the throng, I tried to catch Liam’s eye. Maybe I could signal to him before he embarrassed us both. Von Roth would be here any second.
I glanced back at James, who was shaking his head firmly from left to right. We were obviously on the same page. If Liam so much as caused Gerald to stutter, the consequences didn’t bear thinking about, especially with the redundancies coming up.
Sticking to the back wall, I scuttled toward Liam. Heavens alive. He looked even hotter than he did yesterday, if that was possible. His rumpled hair had been tidied, and he wore asharp gray jacket and a smart pair of dark jeans that hugged his firm thighs just right.
He’d even dressed up for me.
I’d misjudgedhim.
But I couldn’t be distracted by his thighs. Liam was walking toward the front of the room, just as Gerald was beginning to peak, his tenor rising.
“Let us dare to dream big, disrupt boldly, and redefine what it means to lead in a space that refuses to stand still.”
“Liam,” I whispered, as loudly as I dared. He turned his head toward me in surprise. I guess he didn’t think I’d be so easy to find, but Novexia was still quite small for a pharmaceutical company.
I pressed my forefinger against my lips, indicating the need to be quiet. He stopped, looking at me in confusion. I suppose I looked a bit different, cleaned up for work, too. Last time he’d seen me, I’d been naked under a duvet.
“It’s me,” I said, smiling expectantly.
“Andrea.” His expression changed. “I’m sorry, I—”
“It’s okay.” I smiled. I was just so glad I’d been wrong. “It was a crazy day, yesterday. You can explain it all to me later. But this isn’t good timing.”
Liam smiled uncertainly, then looked at the front where Gerald was standing. “I need—”
“Not now.” I put a gentle hand on his arm. “It’s all about to kick off. It’s the big meeting for that German guy, remember I told you?”
“Andrea—”
I pressed a finger to my lips. “You’ve got to go, Liam.”
