Page 83 of Unfinished

“Oh, tomorrow I’ll pick you up at seven,” Derek announced, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Excuse me?”

“I have that Arts at the Center Gala to go to. I need you by my side.”

I stopped walking and turned to him, “You never mentioned this to me. I don’t have anything to wear.”

“You’ll figure something out.” Derek pulled my hand to keep walking again.

“Do you really need me? I need to do some research this weekend for this project.”

Derek paused and a dark look crossed his face but it cleared quickly and he said, “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I’m stressed at work and things keep slipping my mind. Please come. The firm needs me there and I need you to make me look good.”

Rolling my eyes, I gave in, “It’s fine. I’ll figure it out.”

As we continued walking, I made plans to end this relationship tomorrow night. Thankfully, he gave me an excuse for needing to go right to bed when we finally reached my apartment. I would need to go shopping in the morning to find an outfit for the event and didn't want to stay up much later. Derek caught a cab home, and I collapsed in my bed already dreading the stupid gala.

Chapter 37

Liam

Hannah walked into the event on the arm of Derek Wright. I’ve had eyes on Derek and Hannah for a little over a week now and I’d dug up so much dirt on Derek. Hannah typically avoided events like this and she didn’t look pleased to be there or around Derek at all.

As of right now, it didn’t seem like Hannah had any idea that Derek worked with Salvatore. If he knew about her or her connection to me she would become a target to be used against me. I could only hope that Derek wasn't stupid enough to drop my name and my connection to Hannah to Salvatore.

Derek wouldn’t be in the picture for much longer, because I was about to turn Hannah's world upside down. I spent the last several years preparing Trident Advertising to transition into the leading advertising company in the world. Using my business to force interactions was the perfect chance to win her back. I wouldn’t stop until she was back in my arms.

Hannah was fucking gorgeous in an emerald green dress that showed off her back. I saw the edge of some of the stars that ran down her side. Her hair was in big waves and swept over one shoulder with a shiny jeweled clip at the back. She wore red lipstick and it was taking everything within me to not pull her away from Derek that instant.

Derek walked away from Hannah to chat with colleagues and it was a stupid move on his part. I walked right up behind her.

“Hannah?” I said.

Eight years later, and I still had this effect on her. She froze and goosebumps rose on her shoulders and across the back of her neck. She was probably asking herself why she accepted to come to this event. It was one of the biggest charity events in the city, so she had to know I would be there.

She turned around slowly and I was hit with those beautiful green eyes that I spent an entire summer admiring and dreamed about for the years following. I gave her my signature grin.

“Liam,” she sounded breathy as a look of shock flashed across her face.

“It’s been a long time.”

“It has.”

“How's your career coming along?” I asked, adding a bit of curiosity to my tone.

“I’m a Senior Software Developer at VanadiumWorks. I think I saw something about you becoming COO in the paper awhile back, congratulations.”

A smile spread across my face. Was she also keeping track of me? Did she think about me like I did her? Was she afraid to contact me after everything?

“Is your wife here tonight?” She asked and I smiled even bigger.

She was either trying to make it seem like she wasn’t keeping track of me or she was trying to find out if I was with someone. Though it set me up for making her well aware of my intentions.

“Never married, there was only one person who felt right.” She stopped breathing as her eyes widened slightly. She started to scan the room, probably hoping someone would rescue her.

“Why didn’t you contact me?” I asked with a soft smile.

“You know why,” she said coolly, obviously not wanting to start a fight with me. I almost wished she would fight with me, it would mean she still cared, and I'd have a chance at winning her back.

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