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“Events like that aren’t very fun for me. I try to avoid them,” André said, downplaying his dislike. “But Tyrone seems to think an academic as his guest will go over well with his boss.” His hazel eyes jumped to hers as he added, “I won’t be able to leave this one early.”
Her heart did a tiny hop at the memory it sparked.
The night they’d met, both of them had been running for it over the same hedge at a fancy gala in Winnetka.
* * *
If Al caught her, she’d never hear the end of it.
Nikki slid ever closer to the three stone steps that led off the veranda and into the dark. She pretended to gaze at the moon.
“Ooh, look at the moon! I’m so elegant and artsy! I’m just so lost in the moment.” She threw back the last swallow of champagne and carefully set the glass on the stone railing.
While her chin was pointed towards the moon, her eyes checked her surroundings.
The party was still buzzing inside. A few people were near the open door, but their backs were turned to her.
This was it.
She gathered her swishy ballgown in both hands, hiked it above her ankles and bolted for the dark. Her short legs pumped and propelled her toward the back hedge and she was kind of surprised her high heels stayed stuck to her feet instead of being thrown asunder. To be fair, her feet had been sweating in them for the better part of two hours, so they were probably just a part of her anatomy at that point.
The hedge came up fast and she decided to just tuck and roll.
Maybe there was more lawn on the other side, maybe a pond, maybe an electric fence.
She didn’t care.
She was going full throttle and she wasn’t slowing down.
Movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention, but not enough to change her actions.
Maybe it was security come to stop her.
They could fucking try.
She let go of her skirt and hurled her well-dressed tiny body over the immaculately manicured shrubbery.
For a moment she was airborne.
The night in her lungs and freedom within reach.
And then she landed and all that glorious night air in her lungs came rushing out.
She flopped onto her back, sucking in and blinking against the spots in her vision.
Vaguely, she realized she wasn’t alone.
Swiveling her head to the side, she saw a man lying in the same position she was. Also gasping for air. But he was in a tux and not an evening gown.
“Hey,” she said, flopping a hand his direction in greeting, still not breathing normally yet.
“Hello,” he replied in much the same way.
The moon was bright enough that she could make out most of his features but not in great detail.
“Do you think anyone saw us?” she asked.
“I hope not,” he replied. And then he chuckled.
