“Doctor Thornheart,” he said.
I swallowed, trying to compose myself. “Doctor Pendragon.” My voice came out rough despite my efforts.
He looked around as if he was checking to see if anyone was watching us, then turned back to me and leaned in. “You look astonishingly sexy. Are you trying to kill me wearing that dress, sunshine?”
I tried to hide my shiver as his lips brushed my ear. He pulled back, a small smirk on his face.
“Well, you look nice too,” I replied, trying my hardest to keep to my friendship declaration. “How have you been? How is work?”
He tilted his head. “Oh, we’re back to that now?”
“Back to what?”
“Your professional mask.”
I chewed my lip, unsure what to say. I took a sip of drink and winced again before answering. He seemed to notice my reaction but didn’t comment on it. “Well, weareat a work event.”
“Hmm…” He nodded thoughtfully. “All right, then. I’ll play along. My work? It’s excellent. I’m enjoying being back with my students, but the rest is boring. I miss going on adventures with a certain uptight colleague. You?”
I miss you too, I desperately wanted to say.
But I didn’t. I couldn’t.
“I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying your students. They’re lucky to have you.”
“You didn’t answer my question. What about you? How areyou?”
I heard the unspoken words in his tone. Not how was my work, but how was I doing emotionally.
“I’m fine. I have a grant proposal I’m working on. I’ve been busy with that in addition to teaching my classes. It’s good to be back in a routine.”
“Is it?” His eyes bored into my very soul. As if he could see every lie, every falsehood.
“Yes, I?—”
Someone clinked their glass, the crowd quieting. “If everyone could make their way to their assigned seats. Dinner will begin shortly. Followed by our keynote address and awards presentations.”
The crowd began to shuffle toward their tables, the volume rising again. I turned to walk away, but Liam appeared next to me, his hand brushing my bare shoulder and sending a shiver down my spine.
“Where are you sitting?” he whispered. “Sit with me.”
“That’s not a good idea. There’s a seating chart.”
“Fuck the seating chart. I’ll switch out the cards.”
I paused and looked at him, nausea churning in my gut. “Please,” I implored. “This is my mother’s whole thing. I have to get through this night with as little conflict as possible. Please, Liam.”
His expression softened, his green eyes kind. “All right, then. Hopefully I’ll talk to you later.”
“I’d like that.” I walked away and set my drink down at my assigned seat.
People were taking their sweet time to claim their seats, so I rushed out of the ballroom and searched for an empty hallway to catch my breath. Leaning my head against the wall, I closed my eyes and tried to will the impending tears away. Thiswas too much. Every single stressor in my life was in the same room. Something bad was bound to happen. I wanted to escape. Wanted to run away. I wished the earth would swallow me whole.
“Cerise?” someone called my name.
I opened my eyes to see Rosamund approaching, her auburn hair pinned up with a few loose curls brushing her shoulders. “Cerise, honey, are you all right?”
“You shouldn’t ask me that or I might cry,” I said, trying to crack a smile.
