“It’s going to be great. You’ve worked for months on this project,” I say reassuringly.
“But what if Tracy hates it? And I know people from Boston will be there too since Jenna is from there. I got sent here just to steal their biggest project. I’m sure Greg is still pissed,” Zoe says, biting her lip nervously.
I slide Zoe across the leather seat until she’s pressed up next to me. She smiles, momentarily forgetting her anxiety, and that alone makes my night.
“Fuck Boston. Fuck New York. Fuck anyone who doesn’t give you praise tonight. Actually, I’ll fuck them up for you. How’s that?”
“Stop,” she teases.
“I won’t. Your wins are my wins, and your losses are my losses. I’ve got your back, but tonight is all about you, Zoe. Don’t let anyone take that away from you. No matter what, you’ve earned it, and it’s going to be amazing. Jenna knows it. I know it. You know it too.” I brush a curl away from her face, staring at her perfectly painted red lips and stopping myself from kissing her so hard that it smears her lipstick.
Zoe pauses for a long moment, just staring at me. I’m about to ask her what she’s thinking when she finally breaks the silence.
“Thank you for coming tonight. For helping me forget the past few weeks and for just being here. It means a lot to me.”
Wow, what a declaration.
“Who are you, and what have you done with my Zoe?” I taunt, and she shoves my chest, laughing.
“And just like that, you managed to spoil a perfectly good moment.”
Placing a gentle peck on her cheek, I shrug. “Got you to forget for a second.”
Zoe sighs. “You did.”
The limo slows to a stop, and she takes a shuddering breath, staring outside at the bustling crowd.
“I’m right behind you.”
Zoe turns and kisses me firmly on the lips. For a brief second, I’m tempted to tell the driver to turn around and head back to my apartment.
She pulls away, reaching for the door handle, but I stop her.
“Not tonight, baby girl,” I say, grabbing her hips and pulling her onto my lap. Planting a kiss on her forehead, I smile at her confused expression. Gently pushing her to the other side, I slide across the seat. Opening the limo door, I step out, surveying the crowd on the street.
It’s a typical bustling night in New York City with the booming bass from the new store echoing behind me. I reach my hand out to Zoe, crouching down to meet her gaze, captivated by her stunning jade eyes. As her fingers intertwine with mine, the chaotic world around us fades into silence. I wish I could freeze this perfect moment, holding her close and never letting go.
The venue itself is elegant,with its soaring ceilings covered in shimmering chandeliers and ornate architectural details. Every aspect screams money, and I’m sure it was done on purpose to draw in a certain clientele.
The space is buzzing as high-end individuals gather, expensive perfumes permeate the air, blending with the sound of champagne glasses clinking.
From what I understand, tonight’s gala has been in the works for over a year. Jenna and Zoe started working together inBoston, and now Jenna has expanded her business to New York City, opening this gallery along with a few other smaller ones scattered around the city. I don’t really know how much money is in this line of work, but I imagine this type of event in the middle of the Upper East Side must have cost a fortune.
I linger next to the fully stocked bar, sipping my drink and watching Zoe put on her professional mask as she walks around the room, checking in with guests and going over details with her colleagues. She’s in total control, comfortable and in charge. If you didn’t know her as well as I do, you’d think she was completely at peace, but I can see the anxiety in the way she’s holding herself. She’s nervous but hiding it so well. She’s mastered the art of burying her feelings and acting unfazed by them. Despite her ability to deceive most people, including Aaron, I can easily see through her insecurities.
Those parts of her are the ones I love the most.
My favorite days with Zoe are the lazy Sundays when we don’t get out of bed until noon. Or the slow strolls through the park when she doesn’t fight to remove her hand from mine. Watching Zoe strut around my kitchen wearing my shirt and singing into a spatula as she makes us food. Spending time on a Friday night with Aaron and Tristan, watching a movie and laughing like we’re all seventeen. Those nights are rare, but I cherish them so much.
I love our wild nights too. The need to chase is a part of who I am—who we are—and that will never stop. There is so much for us to explore, so many new kinks to experience together, and I can’t wait for all of it.
Suddenly, Zoe’s gaze meets mine, and her smile lights up her face from across the room. I can’t believe how effortlessly she moves me. With just one look, she sets free a thousand butterflies in the pit of my stomach.
Every minute, every lingering stare, every touch makes me fall in love with her all over again, each time deeper and more intensely than the day before. It’s almost unimaginable, considering I’ve been obsessed with her since the moment I first saw her.
I wink at Zoe, and her head falls, her cheeks turning red.
Fuck, I adore that.
