I should just get going rather than waste time with this. David is waiting.
I start to reach for my keys, but Sophia shakes her head. “We’ll drive you.”
“David is going to want to bring you back home himself,” Dane says.
He is? He never said anything about that. On the other hand, Dane doesn’t strike me as the type to say things he doesn’t know to be true. “You don’t have to. I can just grab an Uber.”
“No, that won’t work at all. Nobody Ubers to Elizabeth’s functions,” Sophia says. “We insist.”
“Well… If you’re sure,” I say, wondering exactly what David asked her and Dane to do. Why is David going to this much trouble? Did something terrible happen at the hotel?
“It’s no bother.” But Dane’s expression says that somebody’s going to pay.
We walk out together, him carrying the blue dress, which is now back in its bag. At the curb is a huge pink Cullinan. I admire the shade, wondering who owns it. Nobody from this apartment complex, that’s for sure. The car’s worth over 300k. I know because I priced one for David. And definitely not Dane, because I just can’t picture him in anything pink—whether it be cars or clothes or planes.
Dane opens the doors for Sophia and me. Wait. This pink thing is his?
I climb in the back seat and note the child seat and a couple of toys. “You have children?” I ask, picking up a puzzle off the floor and placing it on the seat.
“Thanks,” Sophia says. “And yes. A girl. She’s spending the weekend with her grandparents.”
Which means Sophia and Dane were looking forward to some couple time. “I’m really sorry David pulled you into this. I should’ve been more prepared,” I say. It’s my job to anticipate my boss’s needs. All the best assistants at Sweet Darlings told me so. Except I’m not sure what I should’ve anticipated. Is this what separates great assistants from the rank and file?
“You don’t have to apologize,” Dane says coolly. “It’s David’s fault.”
“He’s joking,” Sophia says before I can defend David again. “I’m going to text David just before we get to the hotel so he can come out and get you.”
“Oh, that isn’t necessary. I can just go find him inside.”
“If you don’t have a ticket, you probably won’t be able to get through security.”
When Dane pulls up to the glitzy hotel, a uniformed man comes over and opens the door for me. I’m glad Sophia texted David, because the entrance is a madhouse with people milling around, cars arriving and leaving, valets helping guests and men with earpieces going in and out. I would never be able to make it past this crowd and find my boss.
“Good luck,” Sophia says as I climb down.
“Thank you,” I say, hoping I’m doing a good job of disguising my anxiety. “Both of you. Really.”
Dane grunts as I shut the door and scan the area. So many faces and people, and I can feel my palms dampening. I start to wipe them on the skirt, but stop. I cannot sweat-stain Sophia’s dress.
I spot David coming through the revolving doors. Air catches in my throat.
I’ve seen men in tuxedos before, and I always thought the outfit made them look nice. But on David, it’s magical. It fits him perfectly, accentuating his broad shoulders, lean hips and long legs. Instead of the usual, slightly messy finger-combed appearance, his hair is slicked back. He looks like a modern-day Prince Charming coming to fetch his Cinderella.
And I think I’m smitten. But only a little. Actually, I’ve always been a little bit smitten with David. I mean, I try not to think about him that way, since he’s my boss and it’s unprofessional to have such feelings. But wow he’s hot. Like, I need to fan my face hot.
On top of that, knowing what he looks like underneath those clothes? My hormones are doing cartwheels inside me.
Our eyes meet and his step falters, shock rippling through his face. Anxiety spikes, making my mouth dry.
He resumes cutting through the crowd to reach me. I rush the rest of the way toward him.
“Is there something wrong?” I ask. “Am I not dressed right? Or is it my makeup?” Or possibly my shoes. Except I don’t have anything else I could’ve worn. Sophia didn’t comment on them, but she might not have noticed.
He starts to say something, then stops and blinks a couple of times. “Uh. No. Not at all.” He clears his throat. “You look great.”
“Oh. Good.” I let out a soft breath. “Glad to hear it.”
He extends a hand. My pulse grows unsteady. I hesitate, wondering what this means, because he’s never done anything like this before. At the same time, I can’t ignore it.