Page 29 of Unleashing Chaos

The door to the men’s room hits the wall as I barrel through it. A man at the sink stares at me in the mirror while washing his hands. I flash a tight smile his way, masking the anxiety that’s tightening my chest, and lock myself in the last stall. As soon as I’m alone I push out the air I was holding in my lungs. My hand fumbles with my tie, and I release the top button of my shirt. Why is it so hot in here?

I press my ass to the wall, bend at the waist, and grip my knees. So many eyes on me, watching my every move. They must know Desi and I are faking it. What would a woman like her be doing with me? They’re going to tell Matt, and he’s going to be pissed that I didn’t tell him the truth. He’s going to pull the funds.

Deep in the back of my mind I know every single thought I’m having is irrational. No one out there knows anything about my dating life except for Desi. She’s here for me and has no intention of letting them in on our secret. But none of those rational thoughts are as loud as the ones sending me into a panic.

“Breathe,” I tell myself, doing my best to bring myself to a place of peace, planting my palm on the wall across from me.

I count inside my head, not wanting anyone to walk out of here talking about the weirdo who likes to count while he’s shitting in the last stall. With each number, my breathing evens out and my muscles relax.

My panic had been mounting ever since I left the house. I was walking into this dinner without the reason I was invited in the first place. Small talk, especially with strangers, isn’t my thing. Add in the pressure I was feeling to fit in and impress, and I’m surprised I didn’t spontaneously combust the second I set foot in the ballroom. All the stress that had me teetering on the edge evaporated the moment I saw Desi. It was such a relief that I almost burst into tears. Like she knew exactly what I needed, she brought me onto the dance floor, and every negative feeling faded away. I was captivated by her—the way she felt in my arms, the playful smile on her lips, how her body moved with mine. For a brief moment, it was just her and me . . . until it wasn’t.

I release a gust of air that rattles my lips, stand up straight, and exit the stall. At the sink I wash my hands and splash cool water on my face. Ripping two towels from the dispenser, I dry off before meeting my reflection in the mirror.

“She’s got this, just follow her lead and everything will be all right,” I say, straightening my shirt and tie.

Feeling like myself again, I head back out.

When I reach the edge of the dance floor, there’s an upbeat song playing, and more people are back out there, most of them with ridiculously silly moves that look like something out of a comedy sketch.

But in the middle of them all, spinning in circles with her dress fanning out around her legs, is Desi. Her curls have fallen out of her bun and fly behind her as she dances, joy radiating from her face and laughter spilling from her lips at something the person next to her just said.

She’s stunning. Right then, the realization that I’d like to be the one to make her that happy hits me square in the chest, and I want to capture this moment forever. I slide my phone from my pocket and snap a photo of her at the perfect time. Her head is thrown back and she’s laughing, the green of her dress bringing out the ginger freckles peppered all over her skin.

Before I can think better of what I just did or convince myself it was too weird, I shove my phone in my pocket and make my way back over to her, gently pushing through the crowd.

“Hey, sorry,” I say, running my fingers through my hair. “I just needed a little air.”

“That’s okay,” she says, her voice breathy. “Are you all right?”

“Yeah, I’m good now. I think you deserve a drink after that dance.” I hold my arm out to her, and she loops hers around it.

We walk off the dance floor, and she continues to smile. I thought for sure she would sober a bit once I led her away. It’s a boost to my ego to know she’s happy to leave with me. I’m steering her toward a server holding a silver platter of cocktails when Matt steps into our path.

He wears a wide smile and his hazel eyes crinkle at the side. “Jace, who knew that you could cut a rug? I guess with a spectacular woman on your arm all things are possible.” He leans in and presses his cheek to Desi’s, kissing the air. “Desi, I’m glad you came and made sure our boy got out of that comfortable shell of his.”

She moves away from him and snuggles in at my side. “Are you kidding? I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. And besides . . .” She drags her finger all the way down the lapel of my suit coat and traces the waistband of my pants. “I’d never miss a chance to see my man in one of his sexy tailored suits.”

If I thought I was going to pass out earlier, I was mistaken. Desi’s fingers roaming close to my zipper makes me light-headed. This is not the time for me to faint or to physically show Matt how turned on I am. I give Desi’s side a firm pinch and plaster a smile on my face, saying, “The lady has a thing for a man in a suit.”

“As she should—you’re going to be wearing them more often if you want to build this company. I heard that Bryce Edmonds kid down at Rhode Island School of Design is looking to sign with a smaller firm. He doesn’t want to work his way up with the big guys. Your art is gritty and edgy, and he would complement you with his clean lines and bold color choices. That kid is hella talented and could be just what your company needs.”

I’m familiar with Bryce Edmonds. Everyone in the industry is. The kid is a genius with a stylus and an iPad. I’ve spent hours watching the videos he posts on social media of him working. Even the designs he created back in high school were impressive.

I rub my jaw and let my thoughts spill out of my mouth. “Edmonds knows he’s good. I’ve seen him talking in a few digital art forums. He isn’t going to settle for a start-up salary even with the potential of becoming a partner in a few years. I’ll have to sell my BMW and a kidney to afford him.”

“Or you can bag him and get yourself a guaranteed investor who’ll help with the cost.”

“Are you saying—”

“I’ll sign the deal if you bring on Edmonds. The two of you together would blow these old assholes out of the water.”

It sounds so simple. One person straight out of college. He should be chomping at the bit for any opportunity to work in the industry. But this kid is like a first draft pick for the NFL. Why the hell would he settle for my small design firm?

Desi shakes my arm, her voice brimming with excitement as she says, “Jace, you have to talk to him. He’d be lucky to work with you.”

“Listen to her. She makes a lot of sense,” Matt adds.

“All right. I’ll schedule something with him in a couple of weeks, a video conference first, then later if all goes well, we’ll meet up at your office in New York. No matter what it takes, I’ll make it work.”

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