Page 127 of Last First Date

I groaned, recognizing the voice. It felt like I needed to shower. I couldn’t believe I even engaged. I should have known better.

54

KNOX

The preparations for Benjamin’s event had consumed my time. The looming dread had settled like a lead weight in my stomach. I was so fucking pissed that I had to be a part of the guy’s grand opening. This was nothing like the event I did with Waverly in New York.

I had almost completely removed Marcy from the project. I didn’t trust Benjamin to be anywhere near her. He had proven to be a snake. I didn’t know what he might say or try to do with her. I had to take care of my employees.

Waverly had come back to work, but she wasn’t speaking to me. It was only the most basic conversations.

Waverly walked into my office carrying my tuxedo in a garment bag. “The cleaners dropped this off.”

“Thank you.”

She hung it on a hook on the wall. “Do you need anything else?” she asked.

I shook my head. “No.”

“Marcy wanted me to let you know she was at the venue and needs to talk with you about an issue with the caterer.”

I nodded, feeling a rush of relief wash over me. At least Marcy was on top of things. “Thanks. I’d better head out there now.”

Waverly gave a curt nod, her eyes devoid of any warmth they had once held for me. Turning on her heel, she left me alone in my office. The heavy silence that filled the room was almost deafening. It was as if the very air had turned into ice, chilling me to the bone.

I knew she was pissed that she wasn’t a part of the event, but I couldn’t explain why. She didn’t need to know. Benjamin’s crass, rude, borderline verbal harassment comments weren’t going to do her any good. She didn’t need to be exposed to his nasty ways.

Dressing quickly, I threw on my coat and headed out to meet Marcy at the venue. I had been both dreading and looking forward to this night since that fateful night I knocked Benjamin on his ass. I was so glad to have it over, but now I had to be in the same room with him. That was the part that made my skin crawl.

I moved through the venue, giving instructions to the caterers and decorators, trying to maintain an air of composure while the turmoil within me churned. It was an event I wished I could avoid, a necessary evil to appease Benjamin and maintain a semblance of professionalism.

Marcy looked flustered. I hadn’t seen Benjamin around. “Everything okay?” I asked.

She nodded, wiping her hand over her face. “I just had to put up a tent.”

I tried not to smile. “Alone?”

“I had help. I’ve never put a tent up in my life. Those things should come with better instructions.”

I laughed. “The decorations look really good. Very elegant.”

“I’m glad I had this experience,” she said. “I’ve decided I will be a glamper if I get a boyfriend that thinks he is going to be outdoorsy.”

“You did great, Marcy.”

“Thank you. You look nice. Was I supposed to dress up?”

“No, I have. I mean, Benjamin has requested I attend as a guest. You don’t need to stay. You have done an amazing job, Marcy. I’m impressed. We’ll talk about that full-time position.”

“I can stay,” she offered. “I’ll be behind the scenes.”

I shook my head. “You don’t want to be around him when the alcohol starts flowing.”

She gave me a knowing look. “I understand.”

After she left, I finished making sure everything was set. Benjamin might be blackmailing me to attend, but he didn’t set any requirements about how long I needed to stay. I planned on bailing out the first chance I got. I did not want my name associated with the man. I was not going to stay in business with an unethical man like him.

As I navigated through the crowd of event staff, my eyes caught sight of Waverly entering the venue. Time seemed to slow as she glided in, looking absolutely incredible in a gorgeous dress that accentuated her every curve. The dress was a deep red and shimmered under the overhead lights. It hugged Waverly’s figure perfectly, flowing down to the floor with a small train trailing behind her. The neckline was a daring V-shape, showing off her smooth collarbone and delicate shoulders and the perfect amount of cleavage. It was a timeless and sophisticated look. As she moved, the dress flowed and swayed, highlighting her every move and making her look like an ethereal goddess. My stomach dropped, the unexpected sight of her sending a jolt through me.