“Are you sure? Where’s Jade? I can’t believe this failed!”
“Jade—what’s your twenty?” I gave Bethany another long look. A twinge oftold you sowent through me, but I didn’t let it stay. The event was the focus, not the beef I’d already settled.
“Silent auction. Everything good?”
“Issue with the app. Going to the hotel to try and print the guest list. Also, hey—tell Bethany I invited the baseball team. She needs to give them the farthest table in the back. Tell me if there are problems.” I hoped I looked composed. My pulse raced and sweat dripped down my back as I weaved through guests. Gideon wasn’t expected to arrive for another hour, but that didn’t stop me from searching for his tall frame every couple of seconds. Tonight was the night. I was going to tell him everything.
“Ma’am. Do you need help?” A concierge winced at my expression and I responded with one word.
“Printer.”
“This way.” He led me across the tiled entrance and my heels clacked against the floor. Time seemed to stop. Gideon stood there, dressed in a sleek, form-fitting black tux, with perfectly styled hair and his jawline had me weak at the knees. My heart skipped a goddamn beat and my entire body heated over. My nipples tightened into beads and I was sure anyone around me could tell—but the overwhelming feeling in my chest startled me.
“Ma’am, are you all right?”
“Y-yes,” I stuttered. I took another step, still trying to get my fill of Gideon and—crash.“Shit!”
The column must’ve come out of nowhere and I now sat on the cold tiled floor, my dignity long gone and any chance of not having to talk to Gideon with it. His loud, recognizable footsteps marched toward me and I did my best to lift myself up. The poor concierge gave me a pitying look, perhaps checking out the long slit in my dress and the way my legs tangled in it. “Ma’am, the printer is just through there. Are you sure you’re fine?”
“I’m okay, Chris. Just emotionally bruised.” My ass throbbed, the dull ache in my elbow not pleasant either. I slid my gaze toward Gideon and sucked in a breath.I miss those eyes.“Mr. Titan. I hope you found the parking accommodations suitable.”
One side of his mouth quirked up, but just for a second, before his gaze slid all the way down my body. I shivered. The decision to go braless because the back of the dress was open had not been the best idea. I crossed my arms, hoping to hide my attraction, but his smirk told me otherwise. “Sure. Are you good?”
I nodded. “Peachy.”I hate myself. Peachy? Of all the things to say, I went with that.
“Your cheeks are a little red and you got this wide-eye thing going on. You sure?” He reached out his hand, but didn’t quite touch my face. The longing in his eyes disappeared as quickly as it had got there, and his expression turned to stone. “Well, I’ll see you in the ballroom.”
“Can we talk? Like, later? I mean, if you’re not busy. I think we should. I, uh…would like to say things to you.”Oh my god.I closed my eyes, the shame of my rambling and idiocy almost too much to bear. His minty breath hit my face and I forced myself to look at him. “If not, we can totally do it later. If you have time with baseball-y stuff.”
“Baseball-y stuff.” He ran a hand over his jaw, covering his mouth. The suit moved with him, the material clinging to every inch of his hard body that I’d explored countless times. Moisture pooled in my panties and I crossed my legs.Jesus.“What do we need to talk about?”
“That last conversation we had—” I froze. A woman waltzed up next to Gideon, her gorgeous dark hair and perfectly done makeup making me feel like a teenager playing dress-up. Her manicured nails matched her deep green dress, and I had to fight from throwing up.He brought her.
“Hannah, this is Fiona Davis. One of the board members of Texting Too Late,” Gideon said, putting his hand on the small of her back. He didn’t mention coaching, further implying he was dating her.In ten days… God, I’m replaceable.
“Oh, wow! Fiona, it is so nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about this charity. You’re doing amazing work in the community. It’s an honor to be here,” Hannah replied in a singsong voice that sounded like honey. I ground my teeth together and hoped I didn’t look like I was falling apart.
“Nice to meet you too, Hannah.” I shook her hand—soft and not sweaty like mine—and avoided Gideon’s glare. “I hope you both enjoy the event.”
“I have no doubt I will. I’m hoping to score something nice in the silent auctions. Someone mentioned there were private whiskey tours. If that doesn’t have my name on it, I don’t know what does.” She laughed, knocking her hip with Gideon’s. “I’m going to go check in. I’ll see you upstairs in a minute?”
“Sure.” He gave her a small smile, and watched her walk away.
My entire body shook and my tears were going to ruin my makeup, which Jade had paid to get done.He has a room with Hannah. He’s going on a whiskey tour with her.
“Gideon. I-I…” I couldn’t stop staring at the girl as she waited by the elevator. She was stunning—perfect lips, hair, smile. She didn’t look like she had baggage that clogged her brain at night, whispering what ifs about the worst-case scenario. My heart couldn’t take any more. It broke in two. “I should go. I have papers. The copies. I have to get copies.”
“What did you want to say, Fiona?” His eyes hardened and the line of his jaw stiffened. Every cell in my body was telling me to abandon my mission. He had a date. He’d moved on. He’d forgotten about me. I blinked back tears and shook my head.He’ll leave eventually.
“Thank you for…everything. Have f-fun.” I took a step back.
“Everything we’ve been through, you want tothankme?” He tilted his head and snarled. “Speak your mind, Fiona. What did you want to say?”
“I need to go. Registration had issues and…” I eyed the small office to the right. “Goodbye, Gideon. Good luck with everything.”
Chapter Thirty
Gideon
