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Bronson paused with a heavy frown, but there wasn’t even time to think of how to answer before someone yelled for him.
“Bronson!” a young man called through the crowd. “Reed needs you upstairs.”
He looked at me, but I quickly waved him off. “Go!”
There was uncertainty in his eyes, but he backed away. “I’ll be back soon.”
Good.
Because I needed another drink if I was going to make it through the rest of the night.
Chapter Nineteen
VALEN
I’ll be there soon. Can you meet me out the front?
The text message had come through a few minutes ago, but I’d yet to move.
I tapped my foot for a few moments, searching the room for Reed but unable to find him. I’d seen him for a few minutes here and there, but he’d disappeared about thirty minutes ago with some more of the investors and buyers on tours of the single, staged apartment and the layout for the other business spaces they intended to include.
That’s why he was here.
Not to babysit me.
I’d watched him tonight speak to these people. I’d seen glimpses of Reed, the businessman, before, but not like this. He was strong and sure of himself, and it was a role I could easily see turn the wrong type of man into an arrogant bastard when you had this many people wanting to get time with you and be involved in the things you create.
But he wasn’t like that.
There was a sense of humbleness to him as he pitched his ideas and plans. He spoke about the construction company, the interior designers, the engineers—he talked up their skills and the way they had added to the project and how they had brought his ideas to life. He constantly drew Bronson into the conversation because, while Bronson was big in his own circles, this was a new space for him—and a new venture. And while Reed could have taken all the praise and the pats on his back, he didn’t.
It was so damn attractive.
And it was also why I wasn’t about to rain on his parade by dragging him away when I was pretty sure this conversation with Jade was going to be done in a few seconds.
So I quickly typed back…
Be out in one minute.
Then I maneuvered my way through the crowd, the waiters, and the food stalls, ducking and diving around people, leaving me breathless by the time I reached the exit out onto the main street.
The cool night air hit my skin, and I shuddered, wrapping my arms around my waist as I navigated the makeshift path to the sidewalk, my eyes searching the street.
It wasn’t exactly busy, but also not dead with people coming and going from the party, couples and groups saying their goodbyes at the curb.
I stepped straight underneath the nearest street light, knowing it would illuminate me, and looked down again at my phone.
Nothing.
So I typed…
I’m here?
No reply.
I glanced up and down the street. There were a bunch of people milling around, chatting, smoking, networking.
“Jade?” I called, and a couple who were climbing in their car down the street looked over at me. I made a point of waving like I knew them before lowering my voice to a growl. “Jade, I swear to God I’m about to wal—”
