Page 41 of Miss Manage

Once back in the ballroom, I couldn’t help scanning the room for him, but he was nowhere in sight. I should’ve felt relieved, but instead I was wound tight.

Daniel came up with a fresh glass of champagne in his hand.

He looked good in his tux, clean-cut and charming in a practiced sort of way. The perfect date for a gala. But I only felt a restless energy still humming through me from my time with Gabriel.

We did our rounds for the next hour before I was able to make my excuses and leave. Which included from Daniel.

I slipped into my professional tone as if I were exiting a boardroom meeting. “Thank you for coming with me tonight. But I should head home as tomorrow will be an early morning back in the office.” Sex wasn’t expected between us, but I had no doubt he’d hoped I’d accompany him to his place.

He seemed disappointed but covered it with a polite smile. “Of course. I know weeknights are tough.”

“Yes, they are.”

Once outside, I gave my date a quick hug and kiss on the cheek before turning away. As the valet brought my car around, I clutched my wrap around my shoulders. The night air was cool by San Diego standards, the kind of coastal breeze smelling faintly of salt.

The drive home was short, the city glittering in my rearview mirror, but every red light was a chance for my thoughts to betray me. They all slid back to one place: What would I do if Gabriel showed up at my house?

After pulling into my driveway, I hit the garage opener and parked inside.

Just before the garage door closed, a shadow cut across the concrete. Tall. Broad. Unmistakable.

Gabriel. Walking up my drive as if he belonged there.

I pressed the button to stop the door from sealing him out. The metal screeched back upward, and he ducked under the half-open frame with maddening calm.

His gaze locked on mine, only illuminated by the temporary light from the garage. “Let’s go inside.” His voice was low, certain before he hit the button to seal us off from the outside world.

My heart thudded once, hard. I crossed my arms, more shield than defiance. “Inside, but only to talk.”

“Of course,” he answered though the look in his eyes promised he wanted far more.

And as I led the way up the steps into my house, I wasn’t entirely sure whether I didn’t want the same.