Can I Come Over?(18)

“She’s upstairs sleeping with the baby since she has a headache,” he said, then he lowered his voice. “She’s faking it. She hates my work parties as much as you do, but I’m sure she’ll be posting about how amazing it was tomorrow on Facebook.”

We laughed, and he grabbed two champagne flutes from a passing waiter’s tray.

Handing one to me, he smiled. “I have a few conditions before you try to make a run for the exit. Please say hello to a few of the people that you recognize, and try to get in a few pictures, will you? That way, I can look back and believe that you were here. Oh, and you’re still required to let me treat you to dinner before you leave town, okay?”

“Will do.”

He patted my back and walked over to a group of guys in grey suits. Conditions or not, I was leaving this party the moment he disappeared into the crowd.

I downed my champagne, tilting my glass up until every drop was gone. The second I was finished, I spotted Dane walking into the waterfall area.

Turning away, I moved to the dessert station, standing behind the cupcake tower.

I watched as Dane moved effortlessly through the crowd—making every woman who caught sight of him blush. I tried my best to look away from him, but I couldn’t.

He looked sexy as fuck in his dark grey suit and silver tie, and he knew that he was commanding everyone’s attention.

Waving at someone by the pool, he walked over to my dad’s signature staple for these corporate parties: a huge hedge of letters that spelled out his company’s name–Grover Holdings.

Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he tapped the screen a few times.

My phone buzzed within seconds.

Shit.

I made sure that I was completely hidden behind the tower before taking it out of my purse and reading it.

Text message from Dane—Dad’s friend: Is there any reason why you’re standing me up again?

Text message from Me: Yes.

Text message from Dane—Dad’s friend: What is it? (Are you coming to your dad’s mixer tonight?)

Text message from Me: You said that if I wasn’t attracted to you, then I didn’t have to hang out with you for the entire week. No hard feelings. (No, I’m not coming)

Text message from Dane—Dad’s friend: I didn’t get that impression when you were taking my cock down your throat this morning. You don’t have any feelings for me?

I didn’t have a response for that.

My heart was beating a traitorous rhythm in my chest, and I couldn’t think straight. I put my phone away and looked for the easiest way to get the hell out of here without him seeing me.

Gazebo. Water fountain. Side entrance.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” My father’s deep voice suddenly came over the outdoor speakers. “May I have your attention, please?”

The guests turned their attention toward where he was standing, in front of the oversized pool.

“I would like to thank you all for joining me for another celebration for Grover Holdings,” he said. “My CFO’s flight is delayed, so if you happen to leave before he arrives, he wants you to know how much we appreciate your support. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

There was a light round of applause.

“To my surprise, my only daughter showed up to join us tonight,” he said. “I can tell that she was quite surprised to know that her dad is smart enough to make millions. She even asked me about starting a trust fund!”

Loud, rapturous laughter broke out against the night, and I shook my head.

Why is that funny? It’s not even true…

“Are you still here, Christina?” He called out, looking around the party.

I slumped down behind the cupcake tower.

“Christina?”

“She’s over here, playing shy!” One of his colleagues, Ms. Mindy, laughed as she grabbed my right hand and held it up high.

“Come on up here, Chrissie,” he said. “I’m sure you’ll make a much better cake cutter than me.”

Fuck.

Faking a smile as applause ensued, I moved from behind the tower and made my way toward him.

Dane’s eyes immediately met mine, but I looked away.

“Here you go,” my dad said, handing me the cake knife.

He lifted his champagne flute into the air. “To ten more years!”

“To ten more years!” The crowd repeated.

I cut a few slices of cake as he said a few more words, avoiding any glances of Dane at all costs.

“I’m doing the formal presentation on the other side of the backyard,” he said, kissing my cheek. “You can make your escape now.” He laughed.

I’m counting on it. “Thanks, Dad.”

He stepped off the platform and I waited a few minutes before following suit. I started to follow the crowd toward the seating area on the other side, but Dane suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me in the other direction.

He tugged me toward the other side of the pool house and glared at me once he let my hand go.

“I could’ve sworn that we had an agreement, Christina,” he said. “We discussed this less than eight hours ago.”

“We did, but after seven months of letters, I’m sure you know that I tend to change my mind from time to time.”

“You only change it when you’re scared of going after what you want.”