Page 65 of Just a Number

“I know. You’re an important woman. Go be awesome. We can catch up later.”

I stand to the side of the space, clapping as the last award of the night is given out. My gaze sweeps the room and satisfaction settles inside me at the happy faces and atmosphere of celebration. There’s been a few small dramas that have needed my attention, but that’s par for the course in my job. Now the ceremony is finished, the staff will move the tables to create space for a dance floor in front of the band that will play onthe stage. We’re not done yet, but there’s a midnight curfew, so hopefully I’ll be tucked up in my bed in a couple of hours.

And maybe if I’m lucky, Alex will be there with me.

I’m draining a tall glass of chilled water at the bar when I hear my name. I turn to find a couple approaching me. Plastering a polite smile on my face, I greet them.

“Hey, Susie, Mark. How are you both?”

“I thought I spotted you earlier, Mel. You’re running this event?” Susie asks as she leans in to air-kiss my cheek. Mark raises his brow with a nod in greeting.

“I am, yes. I hope you’ve had a good night.”

“It’s been amazing. I was invited through work. They’re trying to do their bit to support the arts. How have you been? I was so sad to hear about John and you getting divorced. I’ve not seen you for ages.”

“I’m good, thanks.” My polite smile is fully in force as I try to work out how to get away from this conversation with a colleague of John’s and his wife. I get caught making small talk with them for a few minutes while Susie decides to update me on the comings and goings of John’s office.

“Did you hear about Nancy?” Susie asks as she leans closer, eager to spill the tea.

“No.”

“She ran off with a man half her age. The whole office was shocked, wasn’t it, Mark?” Mark nods along with his wife. “I mean, it’s bad enough cheating but to do it with a younger man and then leave her husband. Appalling. And what’s her toyboy going to want with her after this little fling anyway? He’ll soon find someone younger and more suited.”

Shame courses through me.Is that what people will think if Alex and I go public? What the hell am I playing at?I’m lost for words.

“Oh,” is all I can muster.

Susie eases away, disappointment painting her face at my lack of response to her hot bit of gossip. “I’m sure you’ve got lots to do. We won’t hold you up.” She gives me a very fake smile and my eyes widen at the blatant dismissal when they approached me in the first place.

“I do need to check some details. It was good to see you both.” I keep my smile pinned as I turn away and let out a sigh as I walk away.

As I step into the foyer, Alex is locking up the pottery studio. I spend a moment trying to decide if I should hide or not. Too late. He turns and his face lights up with a grin when he sees me standing there. He lopes towards me as panic churns my stomach. I glance over my shoulder to check who’s loitering by the door and then hurry to meet Alex further away from the events hall.

“Hey, what’s the rush? Everything okay?” He cups my elbows, and he’s too close. If someone stepped out now, they’d see us.

“I’m fine.” I paste on that same polite smile from a moment ago. The one I’ve used all my life to be ‘perfect Mel’, who doesn’t put a foot wrong.Fuck.“On your way out?”

“Brenda asked me to lock up while she dances the night away in there.” He nods to the hall. “It sounds like it went well. I’m so fucking proud of you.” Warmth enthuses me at his praise, but it’s competing with shame after that run-in with Susie and Mark. The look on his face is so earnest that I step back. He frowns as I move away. “You sure you’re okay? You’re kinda pale.”

“I just need to sort out some problems. I should go.” I gesture vaguely over my shoulder.

“Anything I can help with? I’m happy to wait and see you safely home. We can carry on where we left off earlier.”

Laughter and good cheer spills from the space behind us and my paranoia of being caught increases.

“No, no, there’s no need. Head home and I’ll catch up with you later.” I keep my tone light and slightly dismissive to get him moving along.

“If you’re sure?”

“I really need to go and find my staff. See you later.” I school my features into my most professional look and give him a nod. His brows knit and he hesitates for a moment but doesn’t say anything or step any closer. Thank goodness.

Pain radiates in my chest as I turn and walk away from him. When I get back to the doorway, I look back and he’s headed out the main door. I hurry inside in case he looks back at me.

I can’t keep doing this. I need to put a stop to it. But it might be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, to push him away.

Chapter twenty-six

Alex

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