Page 39 of For the Love of Art

Nathan commanded a presence. I was beginning to understand why everyone stared when he entered a room. He was magnetic. It wasn’t just Lianne and I staring at him and the gorgeous blonde, but practically everyone in the bar.

In what felt like slow motion, Nathan’s head turned, and his eyes landed on me, pulling the air from my lungs.

I whipped my head so I was facing Frankie again. “Did he see me?”

“He’s heading this way.”

“Shit.”

“Isla.” That stupid velvet voice made my heart and stomach twist and wrench every time.

I faced him.

“Hey,”

“Hi.”

“Hello.” My cheeks reddened.

Nathan pressed his lips together as he looked between my friends.

“Oh!” I peered at Lianne and Frankie; both seemed starstruck. “These are my friends, Lianne and Frankie. Guys, this is my boss.”

“Nathan.” He held out his hand to Frankie, who took it, his jaw still on the floor.

“Manning,” Lianne finished his name as if necessary as she took his outstretched hand when it was offered.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

Nathan looked over his shoulder at the blonde, then back at me. I twisted my fingers, my stomach turning in knots.

“Right.”

It bothered me. Why did it bother me?

“I should go. I just noticed you and thought I’d say hi.”

I wanted to tell him not to leave. I even hesitated before saying, “Have fun.”

I thought I could see a hint of disappointment pass over Nathan’s features, but he didn’t give me time to think about it before saying goodbye and leaving.

As soon as he reached his date, he gestured to a table, and she linked an arm through his as they went to it.

“I wouldn’t worry about her,” Lianne said.

I looked at my friend. “I’m not worried.”

Frankie scoffed. “Yes you are.”

“No, I’m not.”.

Lianne sighed. “You are, and that’s okay. Just trust me when I say you have nothing to worry about. No red blooded man interested in women would leave a gorgeous leggy blonde like the one he’s with to talk to an employee.”

“I concur!” Frankie held up his beer glass, liquid sloshing onto his red shirt.

“Like I said, I’m not worried because I’m not looking. I’m not even divorced yet.”

“Didn’t stop Don,” Frankie said from behind his beer.