Page 39 of Miss Manage

She looked up. “Yes, I’ll be there.”

“Good. Me, too.” The words came huskier than intended, the air between us shifting. For a moment, neither of us spoke or broke our locked gaze. The faintest flush rising along her neck let me know I wasn’t alone in whatever this was.

I pushed back my chair, keeping my tone easy. “I’ll email you copies.”

She cleared her throat, standing up and busying herself with something on the table. “Terrific.”

As I walked out of her office, and the door clicked shut behind me, I realized I was infatuated in a way I’d never experienced. I needed to remind myself that she was both the competition and my boss. But it wouldn’t be forever. When the dust finally settled regarding the CEO position, maybe then we’d have the chance to explore something.

The only problem was that patience had never been my strong suit.

On Wednesday evening, the ballroom located at a luxury hotel in downtown San Diego gleamed with crystal chandeliers hanging from high ceilings. Beautifully decorated tables awaited guests for the charity event.

The hum of laughter and the low swell of a string quartet filled the room. I had been to enough of these events to be bored by them, but tonight, when I caught sight of Charlotte across the crowd, the air left my lungs.

She was stunning.

She wore midnight silk skimming every line of her body, the neckline elegant without apology, the fabric catching the light in a way that made her seem almost untouchable. She stood with a small cluster of clients, listening intently, her hand wrapped around a flute of champagne. I was certain I’d risk whatever it took to get close to her tonight.

And then I spotted him. A man I didn’t recognize, tall and polished, sliding into place at her side. He leaned in like he had every right, his hand settling casually against the small of her back. She didn’t flinch or move away. She even tilted her head toward him as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

The spark in my chest flickered, darkened, and flared hotter than before.

I edged toward the bar where Olivia was chatting with one of the PR managers. Unapologetically, I put her on the spot. “Who’s the guy with Charlotte?” I nodded toward the man at her side.

Olivia followed my gaze, giving me a quick, knowing look. At this point, I wasn’t sure I cared if I was obvious.

“That’s Daniel. She’s brought him to company events the last couple of years as her plus-one.”

Plus-one. The words burned more than the Scotch sliding down my throat. I set the empty glass on the counter with a muted clink, decision already made. “Do me a favor. Get her away for a minute. Say you need her in the back for a word. I need five minutes with her. Alone.”

Olivia arched a brow but didn’t protest. She pulled out her phone, and her thumbs flew. A beat later, she smiled. “Done. She’ll meet me in the back corridor, right around there.” She pointed the way.

I wasn’t sure exactly what came next, only that standing still wasn’t an option anymore.

Whatever this was, I was already in motion.