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The light turns green, and I give her hands a pat before accelerating again and focusing on the road. “Well, you can have fun but still have similar interests and personalities,” I add.
Gram sways her head back and forth, obviously not convinced. “Just keep an open mind. Love might be where you least expect it.”
* * *
I walk inside the ballroom, arm in arm with Gram and study the hotel ballroom. A room full of people I’ve never met before is an introvert’s worst nightmare. Public speaking was my biggest concern about being a professor, but teaching students is different than speaking in front of my peers. It’s not as intimidating.
I straighten my spine and keep walking, fighting the urge to run out of the room, go home, and curl up with a book.
Attending school in a small town was wonderful, everyone knew everyone, and for the most part, all the kids were nice. When I graduated early and went off to college, I didn’t know mean girls existed… hadn’t even seen the movie. My siblings, and my books, were my only friends.
College showed me there are a lot of people out there who won’t mesh with you no matter what. Some personalities won’t connect. And some people… are simply horrible.
I didn’t enjoy the college experience at all… until I met Mel in the library during the first year of my doctoral program. Her kind smile instantly soothed something deep inside me. I could tell from that first meeting, we’d be friends. It helped that she was carrying one of my favorite books, Jane Eyre.
Gram’s hand smooths over my own, I look over and find her studying me. “You’ve got this, sweetheart.”
I give her a tight smile and we walk toward the center of the room, searching for our table. As we walk, I take a moment to appreciate the stunning ballroom. The D.C. Children’s Hospital went all out with this event. Centerpieces full of colorful wildflowers adorn the center of each round table, the place settings are white and gold, matching nicely with the white tablecloths. The stage is lit with colorful lighting and two large floral arrangements that match the ones on the table.
There are even some children here, and a shorter table full of crayons and coloring pages to entertain them. Easels are arranged around the room with paintings of children on them, each one has a notecard telling a child’s story.
“Oh, here we are.” Gram’s voice comes from my right side, I turn and see the place cards with our names on them. Pulling her seat out first, I make sure she’s settled before taking my place beside her.
“If you would’ve brought a man, you could’ve been spoiled tonight instead of babying an old lady.”
“Oh, stop it. You’re my favorite person to hang out with and you know it.”
She grins at that.
Our table fills up quickly, and soon, there’s only one seat left. The emcee for the evening welcomes us and thanks everyone for attending, then the servers come around with the food. We had a choice of salmon, chicken, or a vegan butternut squash soup. My chicken is cooked perfectly, and the sides of potatoes and asparagus are delicious too.
I glance at the one empty seat at the table once more, internally rolling my eyes that someone would be this late to a charity event.
A deep voice comes from behind me, and I jump. The familiarity of the baritone makes the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand. The owner of the voice is obviously leaning in close to me, because I can feel his hot mouth close to my ear when he says, “Fancy meeting you here, angel.”
CHAPTER 5
COLBY
Red is her color. And not only because of her dress, but that angry blush on her face is sexy as hell. This woman being mad at me, is more enjoyable than any other woman being nice to me.
Maybe I should get in contact with the team therapist…
Noel stands abruptly, causing her chair to topple. I grab the chair with both hands and set it right. Noel whips around to glare at me. “What are you doing here?”
I’m momentarily speechless, now that she’s standing, I can admire her red dress in its entirety. The structured top makes her look like a regency hottie, but the fabric on the bottom clings to her lithe body as if it was painted on. She’s even taller than normal tonight, which means she’s gotta be wearing some serious heels. Her lips are nearly in line with mine. It’s almost too tempting.
“I was invited,” I say with a shrug. That seems to annoy her even further.
A lovely, older woman seated beside her clears her throat loudly. “Noel, sweetheart. Who’s your handsome friend?”
Her head whirls toward the woman. “Umm.” She’s at a loss for words. In Noel’s mind, we’re probably not friends… more like frenemies. “Gram, this is Colby Knight. You remember Mel’s husband, West?” The woman nods, a pleasant smile on her face. “Colby is his teammate.”
“Lovely to meet you, Mr. Knight. You can call me Gram.”
I extend my hand and Gram shakes it. Turning her hand over, I bend and place a small kiss on the back. “Hello, Gram. You can call me Colby.”
When I glance back up at Noel, I flinch. If looks could kill… I’d already be dead meat.
