“Thanks. What do I need to do?”
“What do you mean?”
“At this dinner, what do I need to do?” she clarifies.
“Just… be you.” I shrug.
“Yeah, that’s not a good idea.” She laughs. “Seriously, I’ve never been to a party with the mayor, August. I’m more likely to embarrass you than to be the asset you seem to think I am.”
“You could never embarrass me, babe.” To be embarrassed, you have to care what other people think, and I don’t.
When we step out onto the street, Andre opens the back door of the car. “Do you ever get to go home?” Hayley asks him.
“Yes, Miss Bell, I do.” He nods his head at her.
“You work too much,” she says, turning to me before she gets inside. “August, you make him work too much. Tired people make mistakes, you know.”
My gaze falls on Andre and his eyes widen. “Sir, I don’t complain,” he says.
I slide in next to Hayley. “I know.”
Chapter Eleven
Ican’t stop fidgeting. I don’t know what is expected of me. August says tojust be myself. The thing is, he doesn’t know who I am. He’s some all-important, scary leader of Miami. Me? I’m a hairdresser. Nothing special.
I managed to get lost in the shopping for Christmas decorations today. I did feel a little sorry for Andre, who had to follow me around the whole time. But he was a good sport about it, offered to carry bags for me constantly. He even kept opening all the doors, which is strange.
But as soon as I had to start getting ready for tonight, the nerves set in. My dress didn’t come with a price tag on it. I picked it up on sale last season and haven’t actually had any excuse to wear it. I had Andre take me back to my place to pick it up, along with some heels and a clutch. And some nicer underwear because, well, the dress deserved it.
I feel like a fraud, though. I should not be here with this man. I don’t belong.
The car pulls up to the front of Obsidian, a restaurant I’ve heard clients rave about but never could actually afford to eat at. There’s a red carpet and…
“Is that paparazzi?” I ask August, looking out the window.
“Yes. Stick close to me. Don’t let go,” he says in a voice more serious than I’ve heard from him.
I nod my head. This is way out of my element. I have no idea what I’m doing. August cups my face. I don’t instantly pull away, even though I know I should.
“I would never let anything happen to you, Hayley,” he tells me.
“What could happen to me?” I ask, my nerves going into overdrive.
“Nothing, because you’re going to be right by my side, and Andre will be right by your other side,” he says as the door opens.
August steps out and literally blocks the exit for what seems like five minutes before he moves aside and holds out a hand for me to take.
“I was starting to think you changed your mind and were going to let me stay in the car.” I laugh.
“And miss having the most gorgeous woman in Miami on my arm? Never.” He smiles at me, and some of my nerves are replaced with butterflies I have no business feeling.
I grip August tight, afraid that if I don’t, I’m going to get separated from him. Which is what I’m supposed to want.Damn it.
The moment we step onto the red carpet, all the flashes blind me. “Holy shit,” I whisper.
August drops my hand and wraps an arm around my waist. “It’s okay. I’ve got you,” he says into my ear before kissing the side of my head. “Just smile.”
Smile.I can do that, without looking like someone who just escaped the psych ward. Hopefully.
