Her eyes sought out Adrian and Everleigh once more. Conviction charged through her veins as she lifted her chin.
Before her resolve wavered, she set her untouched glass of champagne on a tray, pulled up the hem of her dress and marched across the lawn, keeping Adrian and Everleigh in her sights. As she advanced up the stairs, Adrian’s head turned and he saw Calandra. Recognition widened his eyes, followed by a narrowing as his gaze turned stone-cold.
Should she have expected anything less? She’d abandoned her boss during his time of need, and had done so in a very unprofessional way. If Adrian knew the real reason she’d left, she had no doubt he would turn her life into a living hell.
One foot in front of the other. With each step her courage grew, propelling her forward as she reached the top of the stairs.
“Buenos días, Señor Cabrera.”
Her voice came out firm, steady, a touch of friendliness in her tone. She held out her hand and kept it there, waiting.
Adrian stared at her for a long moment before finally shaking her hand. “It’s been a while, Calandra. How are you?”
Everleigh elbowed her fiancé in the side even as she sneaked a curious glance at Calandra. “Be nice, Adrian.”
“I am.”
Everleigh rolled her eyes and, before Calandra could say anything, enveloped her in a hug.
Calandra froze for a moment before her brain kicked in. She tentatively patted Everleigh on the back. Everleigh released her, her face wreathed in a huge smile.
“I’m guessing you’re Calandra Smythe? I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Nothing good, I’m sure.”
Everleigh waved a hand. “I’ve only heard Adrian’s side of the story. I’m sorry he’s being discourteous. And at our engagement party, too.”
Adrian’s lips thinned. “Speaking of, I don’t recall seeing you on the guest list.”
“Adrian!” Everleigh exclaimed. “That’s just rude.”
“There’s no need to apologize,” Calandra said quickly. “I’m the one who should apologize. I came without an invitation. And I behaved very unprofessionally and left you in a bind.” She looked directly at Adrian. “I’m sorry. I let a personal situation affect my work, and you bore the consequences.”
Adrian returned her gaze with his trademark stare, the one that made men with years of experience quake in their boots. She didn’t like talking, she didn’t like apologizing and she definitely did not want to be around the Cabrera family any longer than she had to.
But she didn’t back down.
At last, Adrian bowed his head briefly toward her. “Apology accepted.”
Relief flooded through her. “Thank you.”
Everleigh went up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “I knew you had it in you.”
Seeing the adoration in Adrian’s eyes as he kissed his fiancée made Calandra’s chest tighten. Her father’s philandering and her mother’s pining for the man who would never love her the way she loved him had ruined any girlhood dreams of Prince Charming. Love wasn’t wedding bells and rosy baby cheeks. Love was crying until there were no tears left. A fairy tale with a monster lurking on the last page.
“Congratulations to you both. I’m very happy for you, Adrian.”
She didn’t believe in love or marriage, but that didn’t mean she wished ill for anyone pursuing the elusive dream of true love. She meant her well wishes to the couple, every word. There were traces of the Adrian she had worked for, but he seemed happier, more relaxed.
Hopefully, unlike the early years of her parents’ marriage that had turned from bliss to nightmare, his happiness would last.
“Thank you, Calandra.” He snaked a possessive arm around his fiancée’s waist and pulled her close. “But I can’t help thinking that you didn’t come to Paris just to wish us a happy engagement.”
The perfect opening. She took a deep breath. First, recommendation. Second, where his brother was. She could do this.
“Hello, Calandra.”
The world screeched to a halt as her hair stood on end, that sensual, deep voice sliding over her skin and touching the deepest parts of her illicit desires. Blood pounded in her veins so loudly the rest of the party noises faded around her. She turned, slowly, desperately trying to stay calm as her gaze locked onto a familiar pair of deep blue eyes.