Even after she’d explained why she had no interest in getting him involved, her sister, Johanna, had encouraged her to reach out. After her younger sibling’s relentless guilt tripping, she’d finally tried getting in touch. First by email, then by phone. Her emails went unanswered, her calls stonewalled by a terribly efficient secretary.
So she’d resorted to crashing an engagement party for the boss she’d walked out on over three months ago. She wouldn’t have bothered if she hadn’t been in London, she told herself, and the ticket from London to Paris had been manageable on her limited budget. Her final round of interviews for an event planner position with an elite European fashion house had included a round-trip plane ticket. An indicator, Johanna had excitedly said, that interview or not, the job was hers.
The interview that had gone south when they’d asked if they could contact Adrian Cabrera for a reference if they offered her the job. Her fourth interview in six weeks. Another reason why coming to this party was a good idea. Perhaps, along with sharing her important news with Alejandro, she could also somehow finagle a recommendation from Adrian. She might not have left on the best of terms, but she’d done damned good work for him in the time she’d given to Cabrera Wines.
She longed to sip the champagne in her hands, to feel the bubbles dance down her throat and soothe her galloping heartbeat. It had quickened into a fast-paced tempo when her plane had landed yesterday morning. It had kicked into a frantic pace this afternoon as she’d pulled on one of her last remaining evening gowns, the rest sold to give a feeble boost to her rapidly dwindling savings. And ever since she had boldly walked into the party like she belonged, her heart had pounded so ferociously she was amazed no one else could hear it.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
Calandra reined in her runaway thoughts and schooled her features into a politely blank mask before turning to see who had interrupted her musings.
A tall brunette stood next to her, eyes fixed on the Eiffel Tower, standing tall and proud against the backdrop of a darkening sky.
“First time in Paris?”
As much as she loathed small talk, something about the young woman’s waiflike innocence tugged at her. When she turned to look at Calandra, she bit back a gasp. The innocent wonder in the young woman’s gaze was enhanced by her two differently colored eyes, one the palest shade of blue, the other a bright amber.
The young woman nodded eagerly. “Yes. I’ve lived in Spain since I was ten. I always dreamed of seeing Paris.”
Protectiveness unexpectedly reared its head. Calandra kept her hands wrapped around her glass and resisted the urge to drag her away. Away from the glitter and shine that concealed far too many wolves in sheep’s clothing.
“My name’s Annistyn, but my friends call me Anna.”
“Calandra.”
“How do you know Adrian and Everleigh?”
“I used to work for Cabrera Wines.”
Anna’s eyes lit up. “I live at Casa de Cabrera in Granada. My uncle Diego is the butler.”
Calandra smiled slightly. She had fond memories of the silver-haired steward of the Cabrera mansion.
“Oh.”
Calandra followed Anna’s gaze to where Adrian and his fiancée, Everleigh, stood on the terrace overlooking the lawn. Blood roared in her ears. Had they seen her? Would they call security and have her thrown out before she could accomplish her mission?
Breathe. Stay in control.
They weren’t even looking in her direction. No, they only had eyes for each other. A handsome young man approached them, his smile flashing white against his dark brown beard. Adrian laughed and hugged him.
Calandra blinked. She could count on one hand the number of times she’d seen Adrian laugh.
“Um, excuse me.”
Before Calandra could say another word, Anna turned and disappeared down a garden path. Calandra turned back in time to see Everleigh kiss the younger man on the cheek. Judging by the similarities in appearance, she was finally seeing Antonio Cabrera for the first time. The youngest brother had never attended Adrian’s events, at least while she’d been working for Cabrera Wines.
Unlike Alejandro, who had attended almost every one and sought her out. He’d thrived on vexing her, tugging at the loose threads of her patience that only he seemed to be able to find. With everyone else she stayed calm, cool, unaffected.
With him, she turned into someone she didn’t recognize. Someone who, for one wicked night, had thrilled at the touch of a hand on her face, a whisper in her ear, who now craved the closeness of sleeping next to someone and feeling their heartbeat beneath her fingertips.
A fool. He turned her into an irrational, dreamy-eyed fool.
She glanced around the party once more. No sign of him. She exhaled, long and slow, the tension melting from her shoulders. A soft breath in, followed by another long exhale.
She could do this.
One more glance over the crowds. No glimpse of the long, dark curling hair or deep blue eyes glinting with a lethal combination of seduction and humor.