Jason looks stunned at my agreement but just then the elevator doors slide open. The head of the agency is waiting there to greet us, with the two lead marketing executives who have been working on our account standing directly behind him. Mya Taylor and Milo Hamilton worked together on the campaign that launched Lavin Bridal into a very successful year. Approving the campaign for that launch wasn’t nearly so difficult and I can concede that it was entirely due to my state of mind.
Clumsy Girl is gone, as surely as if she was just a figment of my imagination. I’ve heard it from everyone over the last month, Jason, my brother and even the bartender at the bar I can’t seem to stay away from.
She’s gone.
It sucks the way things ended but I have to accept that it did end. Casey and I had a brief, magical moment and it changed me.
Maybe that’s all it was meant to do.
I extend my hand. “James, I apologize for arriving so early. I hope we haven’t inconvenienced you too greatly.”
He shakes my hand and then motions to the others. “It’s no problem at all. The team has put together a fantastic presentation for you today.”
As he’s speaking, my eyes are drawn to the reception desk behind him. A young woman stands and then when she notices me, freezes. But she’s not the one I’m looking at. No, all of my attention is on the young woman sitting behind the desk, her attention fixed on her computer. She’s wearing some type of headset and her dark hair is twisted up into a bun. But there’s no mistaking that face.
That adorable, frustrating face.
Clumsy Girl is here.
My feet move forward without my permission as I walk away from James, leaving Jason and Kate to continue with the pleasantries. I’m definitely being rude but that’s something I’ll have to deal with later. After looking for her so long, maybe this is where I finally crack. Hell, the woman I’m staring at is probably a sixty-year-old grandmother and my mind is simply superimposing the image I’ve longed to see.
Then she looks up and sees me. Her face freezes into a mask of horror. After a few seconds where we stare at each other in mutual disbelief, she murmurs something to the woman next to her.
And that’s when I get angry.
“James, please introduce me to your new receptionist. I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure.”
Everyone stills at my command. Or maybe because my voice feels abnormally loud. I clear my throat and smooth my tie, mainly to keep my hands busy so they don’t reach out and grab the woman staring back at me defiantly from behind the desk.
“Of course. Mr. Lavin, this is Cassandra Michaels. She’s been here with us for about two months and has been a great asset to the team.”
While he talks I hold Casey’s gaze, delighted by how her cheeks flush red under the praise. She darts a glance over at me and then does an awkward half wave, as if I’ll settle for that. But I’ve spent the last two months searching for her after she gave me a fake name so I’m not letting her off that easily.
I approach the reception desk with my hand outstretched, knowing that she’ll have to get up and shake it or appear rude.
She swallows, the sound audible. But she stands and walks around the desk. Or at least, she tries to. However, it appears she’s forgotten that her headset is connected to the computer so as she walks away, the cord yanks her back and she lands sprawled on the floor.
Staring right up between my legs.
“Kill me now.”
Her voice was barely above a whisper but everyone else must have heard it too because I hear choking sounds behind me that can only b
e laughter.
“Are you okay, Casey?” James appears at my elbow with a hand outstretched to help her up. But there’s no way he’s touching her before I do. So I lean down and extend a hand. She looks hesitant but finally takes it.
“I’m so sorry, sir.”
Hearing her call me that takes me from shock to outrage. Sir? Like I’m some stranger she’s meeting for the first time? I have a sudden overwhelming urge to remind her just how well we know each other but the pleading look in her eyes stops me.
“Please. Don’t get me fired.” She whispers, turning her head away slightly so James can’t hear.
“There is nothing to be sorry for,” I say loud enough for everyone to hear.
Then I bring her hand to my mouth and dust a kiss over her knuckles. The gesture will look polite to anyone watching but Casey sucks in a sudden breath.
James and the others have already started talking amongst themselves about the meeting. No one is paying attention to us right now. They don’t feel the heat being generated right at their feet.