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“Between you and me, it’s probably easier if she and I stay away from each other. Who needs the complication, am I right?” His casual smile had Hallie pursing her lips. He was not right. In fact he was all wrong.
“On second thought, she’s probably too busy managing my entire career to dabble in a little party like this,” Hallie found herself snapping. She attempted to smooth it over. “You know Hallie.”
“Right. Always working,” he assumed correctly. “No time for fun.”
She didn’t like the way that sounded, so she straightened her shoulders and corrected, “She could have a date tonight.”
“Hallie? Land a date?” His sharp laugh sent a flood of heat to her cheeks.
Hallie nearly dropped character. She was simmering in a stew of embarrassment and anger, every part of her wanting to point out he was a horse’s ass. Did he really believe she was incapable of scrounging up a date?
Her mouth set in a soft line, she pulled a calming breath through her nose. What would Hannah say in this situation? “Hallie is an astute professional who wouldn’t be caught dead with a date at a business event, let alone flirting at the bar.”
She hadn’t been positive he’d been flirting earlier, but his raised eyebrows were as good as an admission. Gavin Sutherland charmed every woman who crossed his path, except for the one who liked him most.
“Shit, Hannah, I’m sorry.” He palmed the back of his neck. The gesture made him look chagrined and endearing. Or would have if Hallie wasn’t so busy feeling insulted. “I didn’t mean any disrespect. It’s none of my business what Hallie does in her spare time.”
She pulled her shoulders back and resisted the urge to say, Damn straight!
“But between you and me and the fence post,” he went on, “it’d do her good to take a spin in your shoes. Break a few rules. Have some fun.”
“Have some fun,” she repeated flatly, one eyebrow winging upward.
Misunderstanding her meaning, he answered, “Oh, I will,” before palming her arm in a friendly manner. “Tell Will I said hey.”
He filtered into the crowd. Hallie chewed on her bottom lip. She’d stepped out tonight with the intention of talking to Gavin. Boy had she, but not in the way she’d expected. She’d hoped for a drink and conversation, not him being completely stumped as to how she could possibly “land” a date or enjoy herself at a party.
She set her unfinished champagne glass on a table and collected her coat. By the time she pushed the lobby button on the elevator, the doors were closing on a tableau of Gavin smiling fondly at a young brunette at the bar.
Hallie spared him her steeliest glare, deciding to amend her list the second she got home.
Maybe “avoid Gavin forever” should take the number one spot instead.
