Page 73 of Misguided Vows

And Will is not the safe guy to pour my heart and energy into. However, as I look at his side profile and see how he scans the room just like I had, I think if it were going to be easy with anyone, it would most likely be him.

“How long do we have to stay?” I ask.

“Already want to leave?” he replies, smugly pulling me into his side.

“Yes and no.” I smile up at him. This beautiful fucking man can, unfortunately, be irresistible at times. The problem being, he fucking knows it.

“Will, how are you?” someone asks. He pulls away from me a bit but keeps his hand on my back as he turns to speak to the newcomer. I, however, take this as my time to look around and find the bar. I think I need a drink.

I place my hand on his chest. “Sorry to interrupt. Drink?”

“No, but I’ll be here waiting for you.” He lets me go, and I turn and head to the bar.

When I get there, I order a glass of wine and feel someone come up next to me.

“Alina?” I turn to see a tall man standing there. I’m confused at first because I think I might know him, but his name doesn’t come to mind.

“Steven. We dated in high school,” he clarifies, because obviously, my expression says it all. It suddenly clicks. Back then, Steven was a lot skinnier and lankier. This Steven is thesame height but built out three times the width with a lot of muscles.

“Wow, I didn’t even recognize you,” I say, still shocked, and step back a little. “You got bigger.” I laugh.

“I did. Some things don’t change, however. You look beautiful as always,” he says, then turns to the bartender and orders himself a drink. I take my time to look at him, remembering him better now. His manners are the same, as are the smile and kind expression in his gaze. But his hair has grown out and his face has hardened. “What are you doing here? I haven’t seen you around since you left for LA, like, what, ten years ago?”

“Yeah, I only come back to check in on Mom. I’m just here with someone.”

He glances down at my hand, and when he doesn’t see a ring, he says, “Not married?”

“Nope. I haven’t found a victim yet,” I joke. “You?”

“Nope. Work is, unfortunately, my wife.” He chuckles.

“What do you do for work?”

“This.” He waves his hand around to encompass the event. “I own the construction company that is raising funds to build another wing for the hospital. Can’t say I do much of the building anymore; I’m more in the office, running everything now, but tonight’s a fundraiser for the project, so I thought I should rock up in a suit for once. What about you?”

I try to figure out how Will fits into all of this. It’s just a small local hospital; what could Will possibly have in common with this place?

“I have my own business as well. I design new concepts for businesses. I basically give them a rebrand and facelift.”

“Oh, nice. Maybe I can hire you.” He laughs. “It’d be nice to collaborate on something.”

“If you think you can afford me, sure,” I say back with a smile. Just then, I feel a hand slide around my waist, and then a kiss is laid on my shoulder.

“That depends on what services you’re offering,” Will interjects. “You were gone too long.” But I realize Will isn’t necessarily speaking to me because his gaze is fixed on Steven. And although Will has his dimpled smile on display, it doesn’t reach his eyes.

“Will, it’s been a while since you’ve been to one of these events,” Steven says, not entirely friendly. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

Will’s mouth lifts from my neck as he looks at him. “I’ve been preoccupied. Work and things.”

“Well, my sister was quite disappointed when you never called her back.” I tense under Steven’s harsh tone. If memory serves correctly, his sister was two years older than Steven and me and pretty as well, from what I remember.

“I’m sure she’s moved on,” Will says casually.

Steven looks as if he’s going to say something to Will but doesn’t. Instead, his gaze locks on me before he says, “It was good seeing you again, Alina. I’ll reach out when I need your services.” He doesn’t so much as look at Will again before walking off. When he’s gone, Will takes his spot and casually leans against the bar.

“You know Steven Chamber?” he asks.

“Yes, we dated in high school for like two months or something. How do you know him, other than dating his sister?” I say, raising a brow.

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