Page 16 of The Boss's Hideaway Baby

“Ah, there she is!” Nathan exclaims, spotting a famous singer across the room. “I’ve been wanting to introduce you two. She’s a good friend of mine.”

“Really?” My nerves suddenly spike. “That’s amazing.” Nathan seems to know everyone that I adore.

“Come on,” he says, leading me towards her.

“Oh, okay,” I stutter as I trail behind him.

“Maria, this is Elizabeth Cordella.” Nathan grins big once we reach her side. “Elizabeth, meet Maria, my incredible assis— date tonight.”

I bite the inside of my cheek and try not to read too much into the fact that he almost slipped and called me his assistant.

“Nice to meet you, Maria,” Elizabeth says warmly, extending her hand.

“Likewise,” I respond, accepting her handshake. My nerves start to get the better of me, and I before I know it I’m talking without thinking. “I love your song ‘Dangerous Games.’”

A brief silence follows my statement, and I realize my error. Elizabeth doesn’t sing that song; another pop star does.

I feel my cheeks flush with heat. Did I seriously just do that? Confuse Elizabeth with another sing that looks like her?

“Uh, thank you.” Elizabeth’s smile is cool and distant.

“I’m so sorry,” I stammer, mortified. “I meant the song ‘Drunk Love.’”

“Thank you.” Her smile is polite, but it’s obvious she knows I’m just trying to cover my tracks.

I feel like I’m withering from the inside out. Everything was going so well tonight, and then I had to go and put my foot in my mouth. Nathan must be so annoyed right now.

“Excuse me for a moment,” I say to Nathan and Elizabeth, needing to get away from the situation. “I need to use the restroom.”

“Of course.” Concern flickers across Nathan’s face, but I ignore it.

As I walk away, I grimace at having embarrassed both myself and Nathan in front of his famous friend. My earlier confidence crumbles, replaced by a heavy sense of shame.

I beeline for the bathroom, but the adjacent powder room is full of people. Since I really don’t feel like being around anyone, I backtrack and look for somewhere else to hide.

I slip into the coat-check closet, the perfect refuge from the bustling gala. The scent of leather and expensive perfume fills the air as I stand amid the rows of coats, feeling like a fish out of water. I take a few deep breaths, trying to shake off the lingering embarrassment.

Maybe I should just leave?

No. I can’t do that. Nathan’s date disappearing halfway through the evening would look terrible. I can’t do that to him.

So, I just need to suck it up and go back out there. First, though, I need to de-stress. And the best way to do that is always to call my sister.

Pulling my phone from my purse, I tap on Kelsey’s contact. After several rings, it goes to voicemail. Sighing, I decide to record a voice note instead.

“Hey, Kels,” I whisper into the phone. “You won’t believe this, but I’m on a date with my boss at a fancy gala. I thought I was doing well, but I just made a complete fool of myself in front of Elizabeth freaking Cordella. It’s clear now that I’m out of my league. I don’t belong in this world, and everyone knows it.” Tears fill my eyes. I feel like such a loser.

“I just wish—” I stop at the sound of hushed voices coming from the other side of the door.

It’s men, standing in the hallway right outside the coat-check closet.

“This better work, or else we’re dead,” one of the men says.

I freeze. What the heck are they talking about?

Curiosity piqued, I tiptoe closer to the source of the conversation, careful not to make a sound.

“Are you sure he’s going to be here all night?” The same man asks.

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