She’s ignoring all my calls and texts.
And I want to know why. I miss our chats.
I miss her.
I sigh and turn to move to the computer to have a final look at all my altered designs.
A knock on my door sounds, and Cassie walks in. “Your mail, and you have your meeting soon. I’ve organized the driver, but you told me to remind you.”
“Yes, thanks.”
I pack up the pile of papers and take my case to leave. I wanted to be there first to prepare for any opportunity I can get to talk to her.
Arriving in the meeting room, I begin working until I hear Jason’s voice. “Marco. Good morning.”
I lift my gaze off my laptop where I’m working to meet the clients awaiting their gaze. “Good morning, Jason.” I shake hands, and then I see out of the corner of my eye, her walking out of the elevator with Mason. Her tight black dress is delectable, the way it cinches in her waist, giving me a tease of the memory of how perfect my hands fit around her and how soft her curves felt beneath my fingers. My mouth is salivating, so I swallow, and Jason turns to greet them. I openly watch her. The pretty pink lipstick shows off her plump, delicate mouth and beautiful smile, and I just want to kiss her again. She scratches at her neck, and it leaves a red mark behind. Is she nervous to see me? Or excited, like me?
When we were together, I could read her like a book. My hands felt her body’s reaction, and her words would be full of encouragement. But right now, I can only read the subtle cues she’s offering me, like the roll of her lips pinching together.
Jason moves away, saying, “Let’s get started, shall we?”
I take my seat at the table, which is opposite of hers. But she wiggles around, and her gaze then settles on the back of Jason, just to avoid me.
Mason starts first this time, and they offer a few different options, and Jason makes a sound of approval with his throat. My stomach hardens. Mason looks down at Gracie and she’s smiling broadly at him. I’m suddenly uncomfortable in my chair, and I need to move around. I don’t want to see that. No, I want her to only look at me like that…like she used to.
I need to know what the fuck happened for her to be hot one minute and cold the next; it makes no sense and the nausea rolling in my gut from their exchange makes me see red. I don’t get angry, so the way my body is vibrating, and my muscles tensing, makes me uneasy. And I want to return to my calm and controlled self at work.
When Mason finishes his presentation and takes his seat, he whispers in her ear, and her large smile and lit-up face make me clench the pen in my hand. Without realizing, I’ve snapped it.
I drop it to the table and keep my hands together on top. Jason says it’s my turn, and both Gracie and Mason cease chattering to watch me. At least now she will have no choice but to focus on me, and they will stop whispering and smiling at each other. I trust Mason. He is a great guy. He’s married. I just don’t know what this tension toward him is for, but I know it involves Gracie.
I clear my throat and begin my presentation, going right back to my smooth and effortless business manner. When I finish, my gaze finds hers, and she has one of her broad warm smiles directed at me. My body hums from her attention.
As I take my seat, Jason begins talking, saying it will take a couple of days to decide before moving on to a different part of the design. My heart rate increases with the knowledge I’ll have more meetings with her.
I’ve been packing up, so that after the presentation, she can’t leave without talking to me.
The meeting ends and I take off to round the table in time to catch her, where we, would be far enough away for the boys to be out of earshot. I’m almost to her, and she sees me approaching. I watch her eyes widen. “Gr—”
“Marco,” Jason calls. “I need a moment.”
I suck in a sharp breath and clench my teeth together. I can’t ignore him, meaning I have to give up the opportunity to talk to her. And it’s like she knows, because her face softens and now she has a little smirk on her lips.
I smirk back.
Don’t think I’ll give up on you, Gracie.
When I want something, I don’t stop until I have it.
Chapter 15
Gracie
Iwatchhimtearhis gaze away and head toward the client. Letting out a long breath that I was holding. He was right in front of me with a look of determination. Jason interrupted, and I’m relieved. I don’t want to talk to him right now. Not at work. He and Mason are friends, but it doesn’t change the fact I’m trying to make a good impression.
When his name was called, I saw a flicker of pain hit his face, and I had to swallow the bit of guilt I was holding.
“You ready?” Mason asks.