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Our arrival goes unnoticed. Theo is asked for his invitation, which he produces, and then we’re shown to our table by a waiter dressed in a black waistcoat with tails. We’re the first to arrive, which doesn’t exactly settle the nervous butterflies in my belly.
Thank God for trays of champagne.
Events like these are ripe for people watching, and I have fun observing the variety of people who enter the opulent ballroom where the event is being held. Our table slowly fills with some of Theo’s colleagues whom he chats with easily and warmly, all the while keeping a hand planted somewhere on my body.
And then, from the corner of my eye, I spot someone who looks familiar. It seems impossible to know someone at this event other than Theo, but the closer the familiar-looking man gets, the more I recognize him.
Those nervous butterflies from earlier? Dead. Instead, dread settles like a weight in my stomach. I clutch Theo’s arm as the man approaches, hoping he doesn’t recognize me.
Luck is not on my side.
If I could make myself invisible, I would do it instantly. Anything to avoid making eye contact with a man who almost made me quit my MBA program at Emory.
“Theo,” I whisper, hoping to not attract anyone’s attention. He leans in toward me and makes eye contact. “Do you know that man over there?”
I need to know why my former professor is at this event.
“Charles Kirk? He runs the East Coast offices,” he says.
I want to vomit. Most of my professors at Emory were also business professionals, and many still worked in some capacity outside of the university. But Professor Kirk was the worst. He made my life hell. I almost begged Curtis to let me drop out, to take my trust fund and let me work in the mailroom. And then one day something changed, and Professor Kirk gave me a passing grade.
“Do you know him, though? As in, first name basis?”
“He comes to Portland a few times a year,” Theo answers. “And since I’m in a senior position, I interact with him frequently. Why?”
“Theo!” Professor Kirk’s voice booms over the table and I freeze. “You finally came to one of these events! And you brought a date too.”
“Good evening, Charlie,” Theo says. “I’m as surprised as you are that I’m here tonight.”
“Well, we’ve been trying to lure you to the East Coast. Maybe tonight we can finally come to terms?”
“I’m content to stay in Portland,” Theo says. “But I think you might somehow know my date? She was asking about you.”
Shit. No. No no no no no.This isn’t happening. It can’t be happening. And yet, when Theo touches my hand and calls my name, I look up.
“Hadley Gerard! What a surprise.” Except Professor Kirk doesn’t sound surprised or even happy. The smile on his face must be forced because there isn’t a doubt in my mind this man hates me. Why? I have no idea.
I raise my hand and wiggle my fingers. “Good evening, professor. Never expected to run into you in Portland.”
“And I never expected you to be dating someone working for my firm,” he replies.
I grit my teeth and do my best to try and smile but thankfully, Theo steps in and saves me. “It’s a new relationship. We haven’t been together long.”
“Decided not to work for your brother, then? Are you working here in Portland?”
I hate these sorts of questions. It’s not any of his business what I’m doing here in Portland, and after the hell I endured during his class, I certainly don’t owe him an answer or any sort of small talk.
Thankfully, I don’t have to answer his questions because someone else comes up to him and drags him from our table. However, he manages to extract a promise from Theo to talk about a position on the East Coast.
When he’s gone, I fall back against my seat and sigh. “I hate that man,” I mumble.
To my surprise, Theo replies with, “Me, too.”
