Martin, the hotel’s Michelin starred chef, comes out and joins us, as he, Autumn, and Andrea get caught up in a discussion about canapes. My mind wanders off when they start debating the advantages of shrimp over vegetables, and I find myself drifting closer to Sadie again, the soft aroma of her perfume wrapping around me.
When my sleeve brushes hers, she doesn’t step away.
“So,” I murmur. “It looks like you’re the one on the hunt tonight.”
She lifts a brow, her expression perfectly composed.And for a second, I imagine her wide eyed and excited, running from me. God, she’s beautiful.
“Is there something wrong with a woman getting a cocktail on her own?” she asks me.
I swallow. “Nothing at all.” But we both know she won’t be alone for long.
And it makes my muscles tighten like they’re ready for a fight I’m not planning on having.
“What do you think, Sadie?” Autumn says.
She blinks and I like the way her cheeks pink up at being caught out. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you.”
“Two different main courses. Meat for the carnivores, mushrooms for the veggies.”
Sadie nods, recovering fast. “That sounds perfect. Let’s face it, whatever Martin cooks will be great.”
He beams and now I’m internally growling at him too. Since when was I ever jealous? Especially about somebody who wasn’t mine. And never wants to be.
As the others start debating mousse versus tartlets, Bennett sidles over to Sadie once more. “You know, I really dig alcohol,” he tells her. “Eden’s been teaching me how to make cocktails. I could show you sometime.”
Her lips twitch. When our eyes connect this time, I find myself staring straight back at her, unwilling to let her look at anybody else.
“You are so very lovely,” she tells Bennett, but with her gaze on me. “But I’m actually on an app. Looking further afield, you know? For somebody… who fits my needs.” The way she says it, her voice thick, makes me know this is aimed at me.
And it hits the bullseye. I’m pissed now. She’s on a damn app? Which one?
“Oh, are you meeting somebody?” Bennett asks. “Did you match with a guy?”
“A girl never tells all her secrets.” She finally pulls her eyes from mine and looks at him.
Bennett blushes, clearly charmed, and she rewards him with a soft laugh. It sounds effortless, but I can hear the edge underneath it. She knows exactly what she’s doing, and I’m falling for it hook, line, and sinker.
Autumn calls out to us all before I can say anything to her. But my pulse is already hammering.
“Okay, let’s take a walk through the rest of the hotel,” Autumn says, thanking Martin and Andrea for their time. “I’d like us to review where Sadie’s suggested we mount the art. By the end of the week I want a full timetable of what’s going where and when,” Autumn finishes, already marching toward the hallway like a general leading their troops.
Sadie walks next to her, chatting with Autumn about lighting and wall space. I stay a few paces behind, watching the sway of her hair, the confident tilt of her chin.
By the time we circle back to the lobby, people start dispersing, talking about dinner plans and weekend errands. Sadie lingers a moment, her face serious as Autumn gives her one last instruction. Then she turns toward the bar, her hand brushing the edge of the counter, her smile small and private.
“I’m off to have some fun,” she says, lifting her hand up to wave goodbye to us. “Enjoy your evening, guys.”
I run my thumb over my jaw, watching her make her way to the cocktail bar.
“Are we done here?” I ask Autumn.
She tips her head to the side and nods. “Yeah. Do youthink everything’s okay with Sadie? She was weird tonight.”
“Everything’s fine,” I say, sounding more confident than I feel.
But one thing I know for sure. It will be. Because I’m not letting her out of my damn sight.
thirteen
