Blossom in Winter (Blossom in Winter #1)(51)
“So, any plans for the evening?” I dare to ask. Maybe he’ll invite me to go somewhere.
“Yes, I’ve got a dinner with some folks from other funds. And you?”
“Oh, I see.” I can’t hide my disappointment, but suddenly, I’ve got an idea. “Well, enjoy your dinner. I also have plans but tomorrow…” I walk briskly ahead of him and step into the hallway.
“What do you mean?” he asks, following behind. “Aren’t you going to the conference dinner like everyone else?”
“Not really…” I throw him a cheeky smile. “Well, I’ve got to go; otherwise Andrew will be wondering where I am. Thanks for the ice cream.” And just like that, I disappear from his sight, leaving him baffled.
After dinner, I find Andrew alone in the lounge working on his computer. He’s wearing glasses for the first time. I decide to sit on the chair beside him. “Hi, Andrew.” Now it’s my turn to be all chatty.
By the look on his face, he didn’t expect me to be here. “Hi, Williams.”
“Are we still up for tomorrow evening?”
He raises his eyebrows. “What do you mean?”
“Well, tomorrow is our last night, so I thought we could go ‘somewhere nice,’ as you said on the plane…”
Andrew swallows hard, looks around to see if anyone is staring, and moves slightly closer to me. “You mean, you want to have dinner?” he asks, his voice barely audible.
“Yes, sure, why not? I was a bit sad that day and you were so kind…” I give him my sweetest smile.
“Okay, um, great. I’ll ask the concierge to make a reservation, and we can meet tomorrow at nine p.m. here in the lobby. The other interns should be well entertained at the conference dinner.”
“Perfect.” I stand up, happy to have convinced him so easily.
“Williams?”
“Yes?”
He looks around once more. “This stays between us. Not a word to anyone, alright? Otherwise it will put us in a very delicate situation…” he murmurs.
“Of course. Don’t worry,” I reassure, smiling confidently at him. “Well, see you tomorrow.”
During the second day of the conference, Alexander was nowhere to be seen. He must have had an amazing and wild night, arrived early or late morning to his room, and slept all day long. Or maybe he went out for an afternoon with his new Italian conquest. I don’t know. But one thing is sure: this evening I’ll find out.
I’m feeling so excited and so nervous all at the same time. If everything’s gone as expected, Alex should have already figured out I’m having dinner with Andrew. How? I have no idea. But he knows I’m not going to the conference dinner, and he also knows I’ve got “feelings” for Andrew.
Well, if he cares enough about me, he won’t let this happen.
But what if he doesn’t care enough? What if he has plans tonight with someone else? What if I really have to dine with Andrew? Jeez! My stomach knots up, and my heart tightens at the thought of it.
I check my WhatsApp. So far, Alex hasn’t texted. I’d have expected by now some sort of message from him, angry or displeased about my dinner with Andrew, but nothing. Maybe he didn’t find out. Maybe he doesn’t care. Maybe I should just cancel. No. It’s too late—Andrew is already waiting for me downstairs.
I take a deep breath, before checking myself once more in the mirror. I can’t help but smile. After all, I look way older—maybe twenty-something. I just hope my red dress and heels are not too much. I’ve styled my black hair in perfect waves, giving a nice volume to the long strands falling below my chest, some of them clasped with a black bow barrette on the back. It looks chic yet effortless. I take my black clutch and my key card, and leave the room. Alright, you got this.
When I reach the grand lobby, I feel many eyes light upon me, but none of them are the ones I want. I look attentively across the many tables and sofas for Alex, but he’s not here. However, I see Andrew seated right in front of me, busy on his phone. My smile vanishes.
“Hey,” I timidly say.
He finally looks in my direction.
“Wow.” Andrew gasps. “You look so incredibly beautiful tonight.” He stares, mesmerized, and stands to greet me. “Your red dress looks fantastic.”
I couldn’t agree more. In fact, I never thought I’d fall in love with a dark-red vintage off-the-shoulder dress. Made of satin and lace, knee-length, all elegant and chic, it matches perfectly with my pale skin and black hair. It’s close-fitting from my chest to the waist and then flares out. I’ve never worn anything that showed off my shoulders completely before, but the seller was insistent and I decided to give it a try.
“Thank you, Andrew,” I reply, taking his arm.
I let out a sigh of displeasure. It’s not him I want to hold—neither his perfume I want to smell, nor his brown eyes I want to look at. But Alexander is not here. My last night in Rome, and here I am leaving the hotel with a man I don’t want, while the one I want is probably—
“Mr. Sullivan,” calls an authoritative voice beside the doorman.
“Oh, Mr. Van Dieren. How are you doing?” Andrew looks embarrassed, removing my hand from his arm. “Ms. Williams told me she’s never visited Rome before, so I thought I’d show her around...”