It never happened.
I hadn’t seen him all of yesterday either. Not at the coffee kiosk or in an elevator. I didn’t even catch a glimpse of him on the marketing floor. Of course, I stillheardabout him in the ladies’ room, the break room, and outside my open office door. It pissed me off to no end how women were treating him like he was sex on legs. But it wasn’t anything new for Eli. Nor would it faze him. Gawking women never affected him.
I was the problem.
I shouldn’t get worked up over female colleagues drooling over my ex-husband. He was an extremely handsome man. Sexy as fuck too. It wasn’t like anyone had known we were once married or that he was once the love of my life. Our history hadn’t made it through the office grapevine as far as I knew.
God, how long would I remain in denial about thelove of my lifepart?
“You’re doing it.” Davina nudged me with her boney elbow.
I rubbed my arm. “Doing what?”
“Searching for him.”
Crap, I was looking for Eli. “Thanks. You better not leave my side tonight. And keep an eye on my drink. He might try to put something in it.”
“He’s an ass for sure, but he wouldn’t roofie your drink.”
I sighed at my ridiculous paranoia. “You’re right.” Eli would never stoop to such a level.
We made our way to the table with the seating chart. Davina’s remark hadn’t stopped me from scanning the room for Eli. I had a feeling he’d make a move on me tonight. Or maybe I was being overconfident about him wanting me back. Either way, I needed to be prepared.
I smiled at Lily and Staci. They were part of the LA Premier event planning crew and worked every SJI event. Miranda, the VP’s wife, was part owner of LA Premier but had scaled back her work schedule before she had their baby girl, Mia.
Now Miranda only attended the parties with Will and was always tucked closely into his side. I’d heard some talk around the office about her getting kidnapped. Nothing had ever been confirmed and the news never reported anything. It could’ve been gossip, or the St. James family keeping it under wraps. I guessed we may never know.
“Uh-oh,” Davina whispered. “We’re at the head table.”
“The head table?” I leaned in for a better look at the chart. “I’m seated next to…” My eyes went wide when they landed on Eli’s name.
“Mr. Morgan,” Lily said with a twinkle in her emerald-green eyes. I didn’t know the blonde bombshell well, but she was friendly and a little more smiley than usual.
“Yes. Miranda called me last night to change the seating chart.” Staci’s eyes ping-ponged between Lily and me. “It’s a bitch to make changes on the eve of an event. Do you know anything about it?” The annoyance in her voice seemed to always be present. She had a rough edge about her and wasn’t at all what I thought an event planner would be like. Staci was no-nonsense and could be abrasive. I wondered how she managed bridezillas. Probably with a firm hand.
“No idea,” Davina quickly replied.
“Well, you’re in luck, Autumn. Mr. Morgan is a hottie.” Lily fanned herself as her eyes flitted around the ballroom as if searching for him. “If I wasn’t working this event, I might try to get his number.”
I blanched, unsure of how to respond. And then the words popped into my head. “Would you like my spot? I could take your place and help Staci.”Wow, go me!
“Ms. Lucas?” Eli’s baritone voice cut through our conversation from behind me. His entire presence engulfed me in heat. He appeared by my side in a black tuxedo. My knees nearly buckled at how gorgeous he was. “You look lovely tonight. I saw we were seated next to each other. Allow me to escort you to the table.”
I gulped as his hand lightly touched the small of my back. His thumb grazed over my skin. I should have never bought a dress with a deep scoop back; it hit just above my ass.
“Do you know each other?” Lily asked with a hint of surprise in her voice.
“Yes, we’re—”
“Old friends from college.” I shifted from one foot to the other, hoping Eli would take the hint and remove his hand from my back. “Davina and I can find the table on our own, Mr. Morgan.”
His thumb stroked my back as he leaned in and whispered, “Save me a dance, Boo.”
I fought a tremble when his lips grazed my lobe. All eyes were on me as Eli strutted off like king of the jungle.
Lily cracked a ridiculous smile on her pretty face. “Okay, spill it, girlie. Did you two date in college?”
“They were married,” Davina said before I could fabricate a lie. The traitor.