“He’s in there. Go on in.” I’d just passed her desk when she added, “He’s in a mood though. I warn you.”
“I heard that,” Weston said from his office.
“You were meant to.” His assistant was no-nonsense, one of the things I liked best about her.
Which meant if Roxie was warning me about Weston’s mood, that was a bad, bad sign.
I walked in, rubbing my mother’s cross at my neck for good luck. “Hey, what’s up? Is there a problem?”
“Not exactly.” He threw down his phone and heaved another sigh like he had when he’d been texting with Elizabeth during the meeting earlier. Then, as if on second thought, he opened a desk drawer and threw his phone inside instead.
“Have a seat,” he said, brighter now that his cell was out of sight.
I slunk down in one of the chairs facing him and willed my toe to stop tapping so nervously. “I’m here.”
“You’re here.” He smiled. “Anyway. As I was saying downstairs, Tom Burns spoke to me yesterday, and he had some interesting things to say about you.”
“Really? Like what?” I peered back at the office door. Weston hadn’t bothered to shut it. I should have closed it when I’d walked in. Now Roxie would hear everything.
It was fine. I’d just lie. About everything I’d ever thought about Donovan. Even though I was a terrible liar.
Weston stood up and circled around so he was standing right in front of me. He leaned back, half sitting on the desk behind him, but he was still looming above me, and I panicked and bolted to a standing position so I could feel like I was on an even playing field.
“Whoa,” Weston said. “You okay?”
“Yep. Just edgy today.” It was true enough for me to pull off. “Go on. Tom said…?”
“That you stayed as late as anyone else, and that you provided some of the last minute additions to the project, such as the global message component. That was one of the selling points in the strategy.”
Huh. There was nothing terrible or grumpy or embarrassing about that. I eased my weight onto my hip. “Really?”
“Yes. Really. I wanted you to know your commitment to your team didn’t go unnoticed. Everyone seems to be responding really well to you. The staff likes you. Your team likes you, and I’m really glad you came.” He reached out and tugged the same piece of hair I was holding.
“Thank you. I appreciate that.” My nerves were still jittery with adrenaline. I hadn’t expected to be complimented. I was flustered about it. “Was that everything?”
“Yeah, that’s everything,” he chuckled.
“Okay, then. Thank you again.” I started to leave and then remembered. “Oh, and congratulations on the account.”
“Congratulations to both of us.” He raised his palm up in the air. I lifted mine up to give him a high five, and afterward, his hand lingered. As I pulled away to leave, he laced his fingers through mine, not letting go. “You’re coming tonight, aren’t you?”
My insides dipped and swerved like when I was trying to avoid a deer that had just run in front of my car. It felt wrong to be holding his hand like this. Dishonest—not just because of his arrangement with Elizabeth—but also because of all the things going on in my head about someone else.
But just then, Donovan walked into Weston’s office, and even though his reasons for being there might have had nothing to do with me, it sure felt awfully coincidental.
And that made me feel awfully spiteful.
“Uh, yeah. Of course,” I said to Weston, entwining my fingers in his.
“Good. I’ll save you a seat.” He held my hand until I was out of reach. “Kincaid. Whatcha got for me? Budgets for the toothpaste campaigns, I’m hoping.”
I brushed past Donovan as I left the room, letting my arm graze his, which sent sparks of electricity spinning through my body.
But no matter how nice the dizzying sensation was, it couldn’t erase the shock of seeing a flicker of pain in his eyes when he caught sight of my hand in Weston’s.
Chapter 17
I thought about Donovan while I dressed for Red Farm later that night. He was definitely not who I wanted to get involved with. Today had proven that. He was confusing and cruel, and he was also right—I should be with Weston. Weston was safe and nice and decent.
And if it hurt Donovan to see me with Weston, too bad. He’d made his bed. He could be jealous all he wanted. I’d even help him by dressing for the part. I wore my favorite pair of La Perla underwear, a matching sheer nude-colored bra and panty set—not that I planned on getting naked for anyone. They just made me feel sexier.
The dress I chose had a split black skirt and a pale long-sleeved top in a style that made the dress look like it belonged in the office—if it weren’t for the plunging neckline and the way too short hemline. It would drive Donovan crazy.
It wasn’t an outfit I’d wear alone with him, but we wouldn’t be alone. We’d be at an office party. With a ton of other people, including Weston. This was a night to have fun.
To be sure I was all the way on board with the fun plan, I tossed back a shot of scotch before leaving my apartment. Then I threw on a jacket and headed out to catch a cab.
The party had already started when I arrived at Red Farm, which was fine. I was the type who preferred being late to being early. I stepped out of the taxi and approached the front door of the restaurant.
Before I could put my hand on the knob, however, Donovan appeared from the shadows. Grabbing my wrist, he pulled me several feet to the side of the entrance.
“What are you doing?” he hissed, his eyes wide.
“What?” I had barely caught my breath. I could feel the thrum of my pulse at my wrist underneath his hand, and I didn’t know if my heart was beating so fast because he’d startled me or because he was touching me. “I just got here.”
“With Weston.” He tightened his grip, on the edge of discomfort. “What are you doing?” This time the question was slow, each word emphasized so as to be sure I would understand.
And I did understand. Very clearly.
“I cannot even believe you.” I was seething, my vision clouding in red. This was too much. I yanked my wrist away from him and turned toward the door.
“You cannot be with him right now,” Donovan warned behind me.
Pissed off, I turned back and pushed him, hard, both palms flat against his chest. Immediately, my body tingled as it remembered pushing him like that once before, years ago.
“This is familiar,” Donovan said, his voice a low rumble.
“Leave me alone.” Once again, I made for the door.
“He’s engaged.”
I spun around. “It’s a fake engagement that you pushed him into.”
“He’s a grown-up,” Donovan spat back. “He can make his own decisions.”
“That’s right.” I nodded. “He can. And so can I.”
This time when I headed toward the entrance, I made it all the way inside without turning around.
But once I was out of sight from the door, I stopped to catch my breath. I was shaking from adrenaline, and I had to hold on to the wall to steady myself.