Page 24 of Watching Her

Chantal was beaming. “Maybe we could have a drink later and dish about the industry. I’d love to talk to you about your designs.”

“That would be great.” Really? My graphic design work was taking off more than what I’d originally hoped to do. Why limit myself?

“Chantal. There you are. I have a bunch of people at my table asking about the latest audio book.” The blonde was dressed to the nines, her gothic look complete with chunky silver jewelry.

“I’ll be right there. Jasmine. Have you met Penelope Michaels? This is the fab girl influencer I told you about. She did the review on the entire Big Apple series.”

“Happy to meet you. Chantal shared the review.”

“Wait,” I said. “Jasmine Cummings?” In my opinion, she was one of the best narrators in the business.

She grinned as she leaned forward. “Yes, darling. My alternate and very wicked personality. I adore your TikTok videos. They are to die for.”

“Maybe I hire you to do a few fun voiceovers,” I told her.

“I’m certain we can work something out.”

“Why don’t you grab a drink with us. How about tomorrow after everything concludes?” Chantal was eager and if for no other reason than making these two connections, the trip had been well worth it.

I nodded. “Sounds good to me.”

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go get ready for my pitch. Did you see the publisher from the Graham Sussex Venture Group? All I can say is he should be on one of my book covers. Wow.”

As soon as she made the statement, my thoughts didn’t just drift into a vision from the night before. It slammed against a brick wall.

Just like…

Wait. Had I tried to enter the wrong room?

The images of a half-naked man floating through my mind were so hot that I suddenly couldn’t breathe. Oh. My. God. While I couldn’t see the man’s face clearly in my mind, I could still taste his lips.

Scotch.

The same drink I’d sent to Mr. Hottie. What were the chances I’d walked into the wrong room?

“That sounds like fun. I also have an on-camera interview,” Jasmine said, breaking my horrifically ugly train of thought. “I don’t know the media source, but I don’t care at this point. All media coverage is worth it. I’ll catch up with you guys tomorrow if not earlier. Are you coming to the ball?”

“I’ll be there.” Chantal was excited about the event.

I wasn’t entirely certain I could stomach going. Maybe I’d wander over to the charity event. In truth, I could remember the kiss and it had been amazing.

“Talk with you ladies later.” I headed back to my table, still trying to figure out if I was losing my mind or had merely had a lovely, sinful dream.

I slipped into showman mode, shocked that there were so many people who’d stopped by to grab the few goodies I’d managed to put together with such short notice. The art I’d created for the reviews had been an afterthought, but since I’d always been an avid reader, romance novels breaking me free of the strict deadlines and pressure-driven atmosphere of work, the art had seemed merely an extension.

That allowed me to reach a happy zone. Although being at the conference had certainly provided me with some aspects of self-doubts. Between talent, timing, and finding people to believe in you and your product, there was a lot to digest. Plus, my change in careers, other than my previous work with social media, was far removed from what I’d studied in college.

Nope. I had no intention of mentally derailing myself.

Certainly not here while I was enjoying meeting new people.

For the next hour, I really put myself out there, working my way through shyness to having readers ask to take pictures with me. And the best thing about the afternoon was learning how many readers had trusted the advice from my reviews. Quite empowering.

When I finally managed to take a deep breath given the crowd was thinning out, I grabbed my water bottle. As I scanned the room, prickles suddenly drifted across both arms, a tickle of hair on the back of my neck creating a shiver.

As if I was being watched.

There was no reason to be nervous, more perplexed than anything. I slowly scanned the still crowded room, noticing someone who stood taller than everyone else. Was it possible the mystery man had entered the ballroom? If so, why?