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“Please,” I implore, stepping closer to him. “You know how he is. He'd freak out and probably try to stop me from going. And I'm meeting someone there. For the art show.”
He studies me for a long moment, conflict clear in his eyes. Finally, he nods slowly. “Alright. But I have some conditions.”
I straighten, wary but curious. “Like what?”
“First, you stay within my sight at all times,” Garrett says, ticking off his fingers. “Second, if I say it's time to leave, we leave.”
I open my mouth to protest, but he holds up a hand. “No arguments. And third, if anything feels off or dangerous, you tell me immediately. Deal?”
I nod, gratefully. It's a small price to pay for his discretion. “If you're coming, let's make it an adventure. Maybe you'll enjoy it.”
Garrett chuckles, but his eyes remain serious. “Maybe. Or maybe I'll just keep you out of trouble.”
“Who, me?” I bat my eyelashes innocently.
The tension between us shifts, becoming something playful yet charged. I can see Garrett struggling to maintain his composure, to keep things professional. But there's a heat in his eyes that he can't quite hide.
“Now,” I say, turning back to my laptop, “about the exhibition space. I've been thinking...”
I launch into a discussion about lighting and layout, but my mind is racing with possibilities. Tomorrow night, I'll have Garrett in my world.
No mentorship pretense, no professional boundaries. Just us, in a dark, pulsing club, surrounded by art and music and bodies.
As I talk, I catch Garrett watching me, his gaze intense. I wonder what he's thinking, what he's feeling. Is he as excited about tomorrow as I am? As terrified?
I finish my presentation, closing my laptop with a flourish. “So, what do you think?”
Garrett clears his throat. “It's ambitious. But we can make it work.”
“We?” I raise an eyebrow. “I thought this was just mentorship.”
He looks away, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “You know what I mean.”
I do. And I also know that whatever is happening between us, whatever this pull is, it's only getting stronger. Tomorrow night could change everything.
As we wrap up our meeting, gathering our things to leave, I can feel the anticipation building. Garrett holds the door open for me, ever the gentleman.
I nod, letting a slow, knowing smile spread across my face. “See you tomorrow night, Mr. Hayes. Don't forget to dress down.”
For a moment, Garrett's mask slips. I see a flash of vulnerability, of longing, in his eyes. Finally, he simply nods. “Goodnight, Skylar.”
As I walk away, can feel his gaze burning into my back. I resist the urge to look over my shoulder, instead savoring the anticipation building inside me.
Tomorrow night, everything changes. I just hope we're both ready for it.
Chapter 6
Garrett
I pullup to Skylar's apartment, the sleek Audi purring beneath me, a contrast to the turmoil in my gut. I shouldn't be here. I shouldn't be doing this. But I am. The thought of letting Skylar walk into that club alone, is not an option.
Taking a deep breath, I step out of the car and make my way to her building. My finger hovers over the buzzer for a moment before I press it, my heart racing.
The door swings open, and my breath catches. Skylar is a vision in a barely there outfit that leaves little to the imagination. My mouth goes dry.
“Hey, Garrett.” Her voice is low, sultry.
The professional, distanced part of me that I keep in control slips just a little, and my body reacts instinctively. I clear my throat, forcing myself to stay grounded.
