Page 40 of Miss Manage

Chapter Twenty-Two

CHARLOTTE

Islipped into the quiet back corridor with a sigh of relief, grateful for the brief reprieve from the mundane chatter and the pressure of being “on.” When Olivia’s text had buzzed across my phone, I hadn’t hesitated. Meet me in the back for a quick question. Thank goodness. She was the one person who could sense when I needed a breather.

But I didn’t find my assistant waiting for me.

I found Gabriel.

My breath hitched, and for one dizzying second, I thought this might be a coincidence. But he didn’t appear surprised at all.

“What are you doing here?” My voice was sharper than I intended, heightened by nerves more than anger.

He didn’t answer right away. Instead he stepped closer, too close, until the subtle spice of his cologne hit me along with the heat of his body. His gaze flicked over my face before locking on to my eyes, steady and unrelenting.

“Is Daniel your boyfriend?” His tone was stripped of its usual polish.

I blinked, startled he knew his name, let alone was asking the question. “No.”

Daniel was a partner at a local law firm who often accompanied me to events as my plus-one, and I returned the favor when he needed a date. It wasn’t romantic, just more of a mutually beneficial arrangement. He wasn’t interested in strings, being married to his job which made him easy company when I needed someone on my arm and uncomplicated when I didn’t.

“He’s…he’s my date.”

Something darkened in his expression, something he didn’t bother to disguise. “A date,” he repeated. His voice was rougher now. “Tell me something, Charlotte. Do you ever wonder if we’d met as strangers that night in London, if something might’ve happened?”

My lips parted, but no sound came. Because the answer hovered right there, soft and undeniable.

Yes.

But I wasn’t about to hand him that power.

“We aren’t strangers,” I finally answered, hating the way my voice was laced with a wisp of regret. I was momentarily distracted when the sound of voices came closer. “We shouldn’t be having this conversation here.”

“You’re right. We shouldn’t.” He took a hold of my wrist, the touch causing a shiver to run down my spine. “Give me three more minutes?”

My head nodded, and the gesture put him in motion. He tugged me over to a door which he opened and closed behind us. We were in a smaller ballroom, dimly lit, with chairs stacked on the sides.

He didn’t let go of my wrist, instead leaning closer, so close I could feel the heat of his breath along my cheek, until he was at my ear whispering.

“Do you have a hotel room here tonight with him?”

The fact he was crossing all lines rattled me. My heart stuttered for reasons I didn’t care to examine.

I drew myself up, though my attempt to appear determined felt flimsy with him standing so close. “You are way out of bounds, Gabriel.”

“I know.” His voice was quieter now, almost intimate. “Answer the question.”

Although I didn’t owe Gabriel any further details, I found myself sharing them anyhow. “Daniel has a condo a few blocks away.”

His jaw ticced in response. “If you don’t feel the same way about me, I’ll never mention it again. You have my word. But if you do feel something…” His gaze dipped to my mouth before lifting back to my eyes, and the tension snapped like a live wire between us. “…then do me a favor and don’t go home with him tonight. Meet me at your place instead.”

The words lodged in the air, daring me to take the risk. As I stood there, every rational bone in my body screamed no while every unsteady beat of my heart whispered the one answer I couldn’t let him hear.

I wanted him to kiss me with a desperation I’d never experienced before. But he stepped back, and the warmth immediately evaporated.

He paused before turning around and leaving.

I gulped air, needing a moment to collect myself and my thoughts before I could return to the party.