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“Good.” He grinned in a way I found rather disarming, but not enough to have me melting intohim.
“Are you following us?” I asked as I scampered around the booth to secure the laptop. Everything else was completely replaceable. The information stored on the hard drive was a wealth of knowledge my father hoped to turn into financial gain. When I finished tucking it into the bag and throwing it over my shoulder, I turned to him. “So?”
“I’m driving. You’re a little too emotional right now.” He held out a hand to help my fatherstand.
I glared at him. “The last thing I need right now is to be trapped in a car with you. You can follow us, since you so kindly offered to cover the cost,” I carefully remindedhim.
Mr. Draco remained silent as he helped me secure the rest of the contents in the booth. In the time it took me to get my father pointed in the right direction and steady enough on his feet to move, the man had already packed everything. There wasn’t so much as a stray piece of lint on the floor or a scrap of paper on thetable.
“Are you sure about this?” I gestured to the empty space. “I don’t want us to lose our spot, if we can come back tomorrow. I know how hospitals work. I’d be shocked if we could returntonight.”
He nodded. “That is true, but I already sent a message to the office here. They know what’s going on. They responded to say your spot was secure.” He held out his phone asproof.
I glanced quickly at the text, but managed little more than a grunt. My mouth had gone dry when I realized he had contacts. He knew this world that we could barely figure out how to navigate. “Thanks.” Then I turned in time to see a man pushing an empty wheelchair toward us. “What’sthis?”
“Help out to the car. He shouldn’t exert himself right now.” Mr. Draco nudged past me to assist us as my father dutifully climbed into the chair. “There. My car is this way.” He gestured for me to lead the way, while taking up the rear and pulling the loaded cart. “Straight out the front door. I’m in the VIP parking, so once we reach the curb, I’ll pull the car up. It will only take amoment.”
“But we’re in exhibitor parking and we could…” My voice trailed off. As I passed by the glass side door, I realized there were several large box trucks blocking in most of the exhibitor spots, includingours.
Mr. Draco followed my eyes. “They’re bringing in some of the catered lunches. It could take hours. The exhibitor parking is safe to block. None of the exhibitors leave until after the show closes each night, so no one is inconvenienced.” Heshrugged.
“Mr. Draco, did you know this when you offered to drive?” I tilted my head as I awaited hisresponse.
He offered a half-smile. “I may have suspected,” he murmured. Then he added, “Please call meBlaise.”
I sighed. “Fine. Blaise.” I frowned. “Happy?”
He chuckled. “Ecstatic. I’ll pull up the car.” He took one step away from me and a woman made a beeline towardhim.
“Hello,” she murmured as she batted her eyelashes athim.
“Hello. I’m leaving,” he announced as he stepped off thecurb.
“I could go with you.” She reached out and laid a hand on his shoulder. “Computers areboring.”
“No, thank you. I’m on my way to the hospital with a friend.” Blaise gestured toward me, toward us, Isuppose.
“Oh.” She frowned. The she looked at me and her frowndeepened.
I shrank back uncomfortably and studied him, utterly confused. As she walked away, he grinned but remained close until he seemed sure she was out of earshot. “Doyou…”
“No. I’ve never seen that woman before in my life. Be right back.” He gave my hand a squeeze and dashed across the parkinglot.
“That was strange,” Imurmured.
“I’ve seen it before. Happens all the time,” my fathermumbled.
“What? Women throw themselves at him?” I moved to stand in front of my father so I could watch his face as weconversed.
“All the time,” herepeated.
I glanced up at the man pushing the wheelchair. His head was nodding vigorously. “Really?”
“Yes. I’ve seen him around for several years. All the time.” He shrugged. “Women seem to find him wildlyattractive.”
I stiffened and swallowed hard. “Well, I don’t. Nope. Not me.” Then I shook myhead.
“Well, if not, then you’re the first. Maybe ever.” The man laughedquietly.
