Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 105850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
It was crazy. Twenty-four hours without him, and I was itching to pick up my phone to check flights and trains to see if it would be possible to go back to Buckley Heath earlier than planned.
I cast my gaze across the room, and it landed on Alex. He was laughing with one of Aunt Fizz’s friends and her daughter, and I pursed my lips as I stared at him.
What was wrong with him? Even with my feelings for Theo, there was no reason for me to feel so blasé about Alex. He was clearly interested in me, and had we have met before this business trip, I might have been able to return that sentiment.
As it was, when I looked at him, I just couldn’t help but think that something was missing.
The part that was missing was blatantly obvious.
It was simply that he wasn’t Theo.
“Hey.” Harvey grabbed the back of my chair and leant down to whisper in my ear. “Why didn’t you tell me Theo came with you?”
I froze. “What are you on about? I flew down alone last night, and I’ve been here all day.”
“Huh. What’s he doing here, then?”
“What do you mean?” I jerked around to look at him and grabbed his arm. “Theo is here?”
Harvey raised his eyebrows. “You didn’t know?”
“Why would I know that? I spoke to him this morning, and he was still in Buckley Heath.”
“And he didn’t mention coming back?”
“No. If I knew, I’d have told you.”
“Hm. I wonder why he’s back without telling anyone.” Harvey looked around the party. “Mum did invite him, but I didn’t think he was coming.”
He wasn’t supposed to be coming.
So, why was he here?
Wait.
No.
He wasn’t here for me, was he? He’d said this morning that he wanted to talk properly face to face, but this was a heck of a journey just to bring a conversation forward by twenty-four hours.
Then again, I really wouldn’t put it past Theo to do just that.
“Maybe something came up,” Harvey said after a moment. “He might not have wanted to tell you since it’s not work. He doesn’t look like he rushed down here at the last minute.”
I followed his gaze across the garden to where Theo was standing with a group of people that I vaguely recognised but couldn’t quite put a name to. One of the women was standing extremely close to him, resting her hand on his arm as she laughed at something he said.
All right.
She was laughing way too hard.
He wasn’t that bloody funny.
Theo turned his head in our direction almost as if he could sense us staring, and the moment he made eye contact with me, my cheeks warmed. I spun my head and looked in the opposite direction, which just so happened to be in Alex’s. He caught my eye and smiled, and when he visibly excused himself from his conversation, I turned away from him, too, and looked at the floor.
God forbid I made eye contact with anyone else.
The way the last sixty seconds had just gone, I’d probably summon a bloody demon.
“Interesting,” Harvey muttered.
“What is?” I asked, jerking my attention towards him instead.
He chuckled and patted my shoulder. “Everything.”
“I hate you.”
“Sure, you do.” He squeezed my shoulder and grinned as Alex joined us. “Long time no see, Alex.”
They did that weird handshake-hug combo thing men tended to do, and I stared into my wine glass. There was no way I’d be able to focus on Alex now. My mind was consumed with thoughts of Theo before I knew he was here, so now I was absolutely going to be shit out of luck.
What a nightmare.
“I see you managed to extricate yourself from the clutches of Angelica Holland,” Harvey said.
“It was no easy task.” Theo’s smooth voice was the one that gave the reply, and I stiffened. “I thought I should come and see my secretary before she goes any more rogue than she already has.”
Rogue?
Me?
This bastard.
I jerked my head up to look at him. “I would hardly call attending my aunt’s party me going rogue, sir.”
Amusement glinted in his grey-blue eyes, and he waved his phone. “You weren’t answering this.”
“I don’t have to on a Saturday,” I shot back. “And this wasn’t on your schedule, so forgive me for not greeting you.”
Harvey looked between us before squeezing my shoulder and settling his attention on Theo. “I didn’t think you were coming. What are you doing here?”
“Making use of my invitation,” Theo replied dryly. “Excuse us, we’re being extremely rude. Theodore Black.” He held his hand out to Alex.
“Oh. Ah, Alex Mullner,” Alex replied, shaking it. “It’s good to meet you, Mr Black.”
“Likewise.”
“Alex is the CEO of Conch Investments,” Harvey said to Theo. “I’ve been meaning to introduce you for a while.”
“I’m familiar with it.” Theo nodded his head and reached into his pocket. He pulled out his wallet and handed Alex a card. “I’m in the Lake District for another two weeks on business, but if you call my office, we can arrange a meeting when I’m back. I’m sure Chloe would be happy to set it up, right?” He peered at me, a hint of darkness in his eyes.