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I am determined to romance this woman like I’ve never romanced any woman before.
My phone rings. I cringe.
Step one would probably be to start taking her phone calls, though.
Yeah, I’mreallygonna need that nap I was talking about.
23
NADIA
Normally, whatever personal issues I’ve got going on get put on the back burner when I’m at the office. I enjoy getting lost in my work. I’d never admit this to Regina, but I think that getting buried up to my eyeballs in work is quite possibly the most effective form of therapy as far as I’m concerned. It helps me forget.
Usually.
But nothing is holding my attention today. I’ve been antsy. Unsettled. On edge.
I force myself through paperwork and meetings, only to call Harry in between each task. At first, I was careful to wait a full hour between each call, so as not to come across as an unhinged, crazy woman. But at this point, it’s clear that he’s deliberately avoiding me, so all etiquette is out the window. I’ve been calling him every chance I get. And he’s been ignoring me, like I never even existed.
I nearly grunt out loud. Dream Girl, my ass. This man won’t even take my calls.
My gaze fixes on the phone in my hand, mentally willing it to ring.At least send me a text message, Harry. Something. Anything.
“Nadia. I’d value your input here. Nadia?” Apparently, Liam has been calling my name.
Great.
“Hmm?” I glance up, eyes darting around the conference table to find everyone looking at me.
Shit. It’s clear that Liam just asked me a question, but I was so distracted that I have no clue what’s even the topic of discussion. Could be moon travel or landscaping, and I’d have no idea either way.
I clear my throat, hating how incompetent I must look in front of my colleagues at this staff meeting. It’s embarrassing to fumble like this in front of the whole room. “Sorry, I was just…checking a message from…”
“…That client we’re close to signing,” Sera jumps in. Then she gives me a subtle nudge in the thigh under the table. “Did they agree to that meeting time this afternoon?”
“No, I’m working on rescheduling that,” I lie with a mechanical shake of my head.
“All right…” Liam watches me suspiciously for a second. But then, he carries on with his agenda.
I breathe out a sigh of relief. My boss would kick my butt all the way to the unemployment line if he knew how I spent the wee hours of Sunday morning. I guiltily try to push that terrifying thought aside and I do my best to stay engaged for the rest of the meeting.
After we’re dismissed, I follow Sera back to her office, rushing in after her and closing the door. I hadn’t planned on seeking her out like this, but given what I’ve been through this weekend, I realize I need her unique perspective. After all, she went through something oddly similar with Jace.
“God. Thank you for saving my butt back there. I hate to piss off Liam when he’s in a mood,” I say quietly, sitting in a chair across from her desk.
“You and me both.” She gives me a sympathetic smile as she takes her own seat. “Besides, we all get distracted now and then. Especially by hot football players.” Sera’s eyes twinkle. “You and Harry at the gala—adorable!”
“If by ‘adorable’, you mean ‘drunk and accidentally married’, then I suppose you’re right,” I mumble, ready to unload the cargo that’s been sitting on my chest since that night.
Her eyes narrow. “What? Nadia, what are you saying?”
My fidgety nerves rear their head again and the urge to pace is back in full force. I jump to my feet and get going, back and forth across the carpeted floor. “Man, there must be something in the water here in Sin Valley. Or, in the liquor. That’s it. Liquor and all-night wedding chapels should be banned within town limits,” I ramble. “I could probably start working on some legal paperwork to get that outlawed. Liam might not approve, given all the businesses he owns on the Strip. But I’d be doing this for the greater good. To save other innocent women from making this mistake and ruining—”
Sera is rounding her desk and grabbing me by the shoulders. “Hey, hey. Nadia, tell me what happened with Harry,” she says, careful to keep her voice low.
I cringe, squinting at her through one eye. “Woke up married to him yesterday morning.”
Her upper body jerks harshly on her rough inhale. “Oh, girl…” she murmurs, her eyebrows furrowed.
