The very short drive to the event was the quietest, most intense drive I’d ever experienced. We made our way there in absolute silence as if afraid one more word between us would cause us to explode.
Callan parked his Defender on George Street not far from the event building and then rounded the vehicle to help me out. I looked reluctantly at his outstretched hand but then took it. Sparks shot up my arm at the feel of his calloused palm in mine. Then his arm was around my waist, stabilizing me as I exited the vehicle with a little hop. I grabbed my clutch and then retook Callan’s hand to walk into the building. Fancy signs guided us toward the private room for the party. Two doormen asked for our names and let us in.
Noise hit us as soon as they opened the doors. It was crowded with people and tables and décor. In the center of the large space with its paneled walls and glittering chandeliers was a large table filled with Aura Beauty products. A screen had been set up on the opposite side of the event space, and it played the Aura Beauty ads over and over again while chart music pumped through the room.
“Callan Keen?” We heard a male voice say, and we turned to where a group of people wearing press badges stood. They were talking with Sheera, who looked over at us as one of the journalists’ eyes lit up. The bearded fella crossed the room to us, and Callan’s hand tightened in mine.
“Callan Keen, Bryan Fodder from theScottish Star. What brings you here? And who’s your date?”
Callan looked relaxed and cool as he replied, “Nice to meet you, mate. I’m here with my friend, Beth. She was invited to tonight’s event.”
Bryan’s eyes narrowed on me. “I recognize you. You’re?—”
“Beth Carmichael,” Sheera interrupted. She stepped between me and the journalist to press an affected kiss to each of my cheeks. “Beth is my guest.”
“Of the Edinburgh Carmichaels?” Bryan asked.
I nodded. “I own the social media management company Social Queens.”
Bryan didn’t care. He’d caught a different scent. “And you’re dating Caley United captain Callan Keen?”
“No comment,” Callan replied. “If you’ll excuse us.”
However, the rest of the press got wind of it and surrounded us before we could get very far. I marveled at the calm, cocky confidence Callan exuded as he answered and sidestepped their questions, and then maneuvered us away, farther into the room.
“Let me show you to your table,” Sheera insisted. As soon as we were out of earshot of the press, she bared her teeth in an ugly smile. “Perhaps it was a mistake inviting your boyfriend to my launch party. I want them talking about Aura Beauty, not your footballer.”
If this was anyone else, I’d tell her to go to hell. Instead, I opened my mouth to apologize, even though it might kill me.
I didn’t get the chance.
“Sorry, but you insisted Beth bring me to prove she was dating me because your son’s ego was bruised. You knew who I was when you did that.” Callan slid an arm around my waist as my pulse raced with horror at his words.
“Callan—”
“But if you hire Beth to run your social media, you’ll get more than a jump in sales. You’ll get her expert advice. And she would have advised you not to invite a well-known footballer to your launch party if you didn’t want attention being diverted from your products.”
Oh, bloody hell.
To my shock, Sheera let out a hard little laugh. “I suppose you’re correct. For now, please keep your distance from the press.” She walked away, sashaying in her ruby-red dress back toward the press area.
“Sorry. I couldn’t help myself.”
I wanted to be mad at him, but truthfully, he was right. And it would be unfair to give him a hard time because I was desperateto land Aura Beauty. I shrugged. “She seemed to take it on the chin.”
We found our seats, and one of the women at our table recognized Callan. That got us talking. They passed around flutes of nonalcoholic sparkling wine along with champagne, and we sipped on the NA stuff and munched on canapés while making conversation with the rest of our table. It seemed we’d been seated with representatives from beauty retailers.
Soon conversation petered off, just in time for Sheera to walk to the front of the room to welcome everyone and launch into some behind-the-scenes information regarding the new product line.
I sensed Callan shifting in his seat and looked over to find him blank-faced. He was bored.
A wave of gratitude hit me.
He had a game tomorrow, but he was here with me, doing me a favor. And I knew I was doing a favor in return by getting my dad to meet with him, but that didn’t make me any less grateful. My gaze dropped to the green waistcoat he’d worn to match me.
I bit my lip against a smile, trying not to think about plucking open the buttons on that waistcoat.
Callan turned his head, and he must have caught the thought in my eyes because his heated.
