AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Damon stares out at the hectic atmosphere with a coffee in hand as we’re seated at our table. I’m making name tags for recent additions with the event coordinator for Green Earth Revival.
“Ready?” I ask Damon.
He nods, his eyes burning a hole straight to my heart. And that’s a stupid, stupid assumption because I’m sure he’s simply staring at my chest. I’m wearing a navy-blue skirt with a light blue blouse and light blue suede heels.
The outfit sure got Damon’s attention this morning. Perhaps tight skirts aren’t as bad as I thought them to be.
I wonder what I’m doing here. I meanreallydoing here. The event wasn’t even organized by our firm. Katherine had prepared all that needed to be done.
It can only mean one thing. Hewantedme here.
And I did, too, even if I was reluctant to come and leave Harvey alone. For the first time in a while, I feel like I can breathe and grow and not have to tiptoe around Harv.
Maybe he needs it as much as I do. Maybe a boys’ weekend at the cottage getting some fresh air will do him good. Maybe he’ll come back happier.
When ten o’clock rolls around, the roomis fully stocked with businesspeople in suits and some in jeans and T-shirts. I know when Damon takes the steps to the stage to give his speech that I’m glad to be here.
When he lays his hands atop each side of the lectern, all eyes are on him, and I notice how often he directs his gaze back at me.
Even though I drafted the speech, I’m like a woman in fantasy novels, fawning over a man, staring stupidly at him, knowing the burn that awaits me.
Which is why I need to watch myself. He told me in not so many words that he wouldn’t give me more. That he wasn’t worth it. Worth throwing everything away, everything that I have with Harv, for a man who doesn’t wantmore.
I can control myself when he’s near me. He’s my boss, and I take this job seriously. It could lead to a higher position within the company one day.
But the fantasizing.
I can’t help myself.
It’s the only hope I get these days. The only ray of sun to my gloomy, rainy days.
Everyone, and I mean everyone, stands up to applaud him when he finishes. The way he says thank you into the microphone could make the people here want to throw their undergarments at him.
Damon comes and sits next to me at our table. Many know him, so he introduces me to them before another speaker takes the stand and silence fills the room once more.
I lean forward, whispering in his ear. “Good job, sir.”
The movement earns me a crude stare from an elderly lady at our table, so I reposition myself on my chair. I face the speaker when a hand clasps over my knee.
I look back to Damon, who squeezes my knee, then removes his hand as his eyes avoid mine. This man confuses me. One second he’s miles away, the next he’s trying to bring me closer.
He can’t do that.
He can’t warn me away only to reel me back in with light touches.
I’ll lose my mind. I’ll want more. More than I already do. More than I should.
I push away every thought of the two men in my life and simply focus on the woman speaking front and center. After the last speaker gives his presentation, the silent room erupts into loud laughter and conversation as we all eat and mingle.
I force myself to converse with a few people. So does Damon. Although, verbose is not the way I’d describe him.
He attracts people to him, yet he has no intention of giving much of himself away. Which is why I should tread lightly.
After lunch, many more guest speakers talk about the environment and climate change, as scientists, biologists, businessmen, and environmentalists all take the stage.
Facts and data and opinions are given, and I take it all in. It has been a while since I learned this much. When things go wrong, very wrong with someone you love, learning new things loses its appeal. All you focus on is breathing, sleeping, and thinking about your loved one.
This is probably why I’m soaking it all up. Because Harvey’s better now, and it’s time I learn again. For myself. For my future.
