Page 45 of Losing Hope

Chapter Seventeen

Gage eyeballedhis reflection in the mirror one final time before grabbing his camera bag off the bed, exiting the suite Drew Sapphire’s assistant had reserved for him. He hated wearing a suit, but pair it with a tie, and the dislike factor ratcheted up another twenty degrees.

Swanky affairs were not up his alley. But it was Ben’s brother, and he’d always help a brother in need. Marine motto and all that bullshit definitely had its benefits, but he wasn’t putting this one at the top of his list. He didn’t care how nice the comped suite was or how unbelievably tasty the steak was that he’d had for dinner.

The elevator swished open and he stepped in, nodding at other well-dressed people already in the car. After two more stops, the doors finally opened on the ballroom level, and all but one person stepped out onto the royal blue carpeting leading to the grand ballroom.

The one saving grace was his camera. He could hide behind his lens and stay in the shadows as he captured the shots requested. He figured he would need to stay an hour tops before going back to the room and emptying the mini-fridge of all alcoholic beverages while enjoying some free porn. Anything to try to keep his mind on something besidesHope.

He took his camera out and started walking the perimeter of the room, capturing people in various candid shots on the dance floor, at the bar, in animated conversations, or just mingling. He tried to capture the beauty of the atmosphere made more elegant by the floral arrangements, sculptures, and lighting within the room. As he was taking some photographs of a stunning waterfall built into one of the walls, he felt a clap on hisback.

“Hey, man. How’s it going?” Gage swung around to find Ben holding two beers, one extended to him. He took it gratefully and took a longswig.

“Thanks.” He grinned appreciatively. “It’s good. Easy shooting. Think I’m just about done. Just waiting to capture your brother’s welcome speech and I’m gonna wrapup.”

“Yeah, I think he’s going on in just a few.” Ben took a drag from his beer. “Thanks again for doing this. I know Drew really appreciatesit.”

“It’s not a problem. It’s good easy work.” He pulled at his tie and grimaced. “Just wish I didn’t have to wear this damn thing. Hate shit on myneck.”

Ben chuckled and shook his head. “Toughen up and quit your bitching.”

“Shut the fuck up with the bitching talk. Where the hell’s yourtie?”

“I’m not working for my brother, so I’ll wear whatever the hell I want.” Ben chuckled again and took another swig from his beer. “Looks like Drew is heading up to do his speech now.” He pointed his bottle toward the podium on the stage. “I’ll let you get back to it. Look me up after if you want to have a drink.”

“Will do.” Gage drained his beer and set the bottle on a nearby table. “Thanks for thebeer.”

He walked over to get into a better position for the speech and froze as his eyes fell on the last person he thought he would see tonight. She was speaking to another woman, also blonde, also beautiful, but only a shadow in the light that shined as Hope. She hadn’t seen him, so he stepped into the shadows and raked his eyes over her beauty.

Hope was wearing a black cocktail dress, but it was anything but simple. The top was made of lace that hugged her torso and plunged into a deep V in the front and back, flowing into a chiffon skirt that fell right at the knee. The shoes were what made his knees weak, though. Black four-inch heels with satin ribbons that tied around her ankles—sexy and sweet all tied up in one pretty bow. Her hair was loose and curly, swept down and behind her shoulders, falling down her back. Diamonds graced her neck and fell from her ears. Rich red lipstick lined her mouth in sharp contrast to the light blue of hereyes.

He didn’t want to take his eyes off her, but Drew had begun speaking and he needed to get some shots. He moved slowly out of the cover of darkness, closer to the stage, and began taking shots. After capturing several, he swung the camera toward Hope and started clicking continuously. He wanted to capture every look that crossed her face. He zoomed in to capture her eyes and sucked in a breath as he realized she was staring straight athim.

He lowered the camera in slow motion, his eyes locking with her shocked ones, his feet seemingly glued to the floor. Time seemed to stand still around him as every sound in the room was muffled out by the roaring of his hammering pulse. He finally broke out of his shocked trance as the champagne glass she was holding slid from her fingers and crashed to the floor, sending shards of crystal scattering in every direction.

Everything in the next moment seemed to happen at once. Drew finished speaking abruptly and left the stage to join the woman who was standing beside Hope. Ben appeared out of nowhere and was suddenly standing next to Drew, both of them directing the ladies to stand still and avoid the broken glass. Drew’s assistant, Felicia, arrived with two waiters armed with a broom, dust pan, and a mop, and they began cleaning up the mess instantly.

Gage’s feet finally lodged free of the cement they seemed to be encased in, and he moved to join the crowd gathered around Hope, gently grasping onto her elbow as he reached her. “Are youokay?”

Her eyes turned and burned into his, anger seething from them as she hissed under her breath, wrenching her arm out of his hold. “Oh, now you’re concerned about how Iam?”

Before he could reply, Ben interjected. “Wait, Gage, you knowHope?”

He nodded and raised his own question in return. “How do you knowher?”

“Excuse me!” Hope spat out. “I’m right here. Does anyone want to ask me anything?”

Ben raised both hands apologetically. “Sorry, let me start over.” He looked down at her with a sarcastic smile before turning back to Gage. “Hope, how do you know my friend Gagehere?”

She glared at him before sliding her fury over to Gage. “None of your business.” Then she turned her back to both men and addressed Drew and his wife instead. “Drew, Hannah, please accept my apologies, but I think I’m going to call it an early night.”

Gage listened as she exchanged pleasantries with the couple and then followed her when she walked away. He threw his camera bag over his shoulder and quickened his gait to catch up and walk beside her. Her head turned, her brows raised in shock, when she realized he was following her. Instead of stopping, she looked forward, increasing the speed of her stride, and headed out of the ballroom in the direction of the elevators.

“Hope, will you stop, please?” Gage reached for her arm and grasped onto it lightly, trying to pull her to a halt. She jerked it out of his hold and continued to the elevator, smashing her finger on the down button when she finally stopped.

He stepped in front of the elevator into her line of vision and was about to speak again when he noticed she was blinking rapidly, trying to stop the tears that were about to fall from her eyes. His heart seized at the thought of causing her more pain, and without thought, he moved to pull her into his arms instead. At first, she fought against his embrace, but after thirty seconds of him not releasing her, he felt her body relax into him and soft sobs vibrate against his chest.

He pulled her against him tighter and ran a hand down her long tresses, trying to calm her. “I’m so sorry, Hope. So sorry. The last thing I wanted to do was hurtyou.”

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