Page 44 of Forever my Love

ChapterFourteen

“It’s all over social media. Everyone wants to know who your love interest is, and I just answered that million dollar question.” Aaron took his phone back from Hailey. “Now, we’re late.”

Reece had known the man for long enough to know there was no use in arguing with him. Whatever Aaron had planned, it was important to comply.

Taking Hailey’s hand in his, he followed Aaron out of the room and into the elevator. While the man was busy with another call, Reece leaned closer to Hailey.

“Are you okay with this? I can tell him to go to hell,” he whispered.

“No, really, I can tell this is important,” she whispered back and then kissed him. “Really,” she added.

He felt like an ass. He wanted a romantic evening with her, alone. To show her what a real date could be like. After all, there were so many things she hadn’t done before. Airplane rides, dates, playing the slot machines, massages, and so much more that he wanted to explore.

When they stepped outside the hotel, Aaron guided them to a massive limo. Hailey whispered to him that she’d never ridden in one before. One more first.

As the limo darted in and out of traffic, Aaron filled him in on the night’s events.

First stop was to a nightclub, where they were set to meet some of his sponsors for a drink or two. Aaron quickly ran through a list of people that were waiting to meet him.

While Reece tried to keep each name in his head, he could tell that Hailey was enjoying the limo ride. He wished that he’d thought to offer her a drink of the champagne that had been chilling when they’d climbed in, but the limo was slowing and pulling in front of the nightclub. He’d make sure she had a drink inside.

He should have had some flowers delivered to the hotel. He would make sure to do it the next morning.

He helped her out of the limo and followed Aaron through the doors without stopping by the two very large bouncers holding the doors open for them.

Aaron walked to the back of the club like he owned it and sat down behind a bright pink rope in a massive booth that was directly next to the crowded dance floor. There was a DJ on stage at the front of a sea of bodies that were bouncing up and down with the fast rhythm.

He pulled Hailey down next to him and waved the waiter over to order her a cocktail of her choice. By the time their drinks arrived, the first of the sponsors had arrived, and he and Aaron were busy chatting with them.

He wanted to pull Hailey out onto the dance floor. To feel her body brushing against his. To enjoy the night. Instead, he tried to keep focused on work.

Several times he did reach over and take her hand in his. She seemed to be enjoying watching the crowd and listening to the music.

Then again, she probably wouldn’t tell him if she wasn’t enjoying herself. He knew she’d made up her mind that, whatever happened on the trip, she was just happy to be there.

The truth was, he was even happier that she was there with him.

After the first sponsor left, he leaned over and told Aaron he was going to take Hailey out onto the floor until the next sponsor showed up.

Aaron nodded as he looked down at his phone.

He took Hailey’s hand in his and pulled her up to her feet.

“Dance?” he said as the music slowed. Perfect timing, he thought. When she nodded, they stepped out onto the floor and directly into the middle of the crowd of people.

Feeling her in his arms sent a wave of joy through him.

How had she become so important in his life? He could no longer even imagine not having around. What had he ever done without her? How had he lived before her?

“Did I mention how wonderful you look?” he said next to her ear.

“At least a dozen times.” She sighed and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “You look dashing in your suit. Sexy.” She ran a finger over his collar.

He smiled. “I wish we could just leave here and head back to our hotel room.”

“Me too,” she purred, and then she lifted on her toes to kiss him. “But it appears your next meeting has arrived.” She motioned behind him, and he glanced over and groaned.

He took her hand and led her off the dance floor just as the song ended and the beat sped up.