Page 26 of Say You Remember Me
“Good to know,” I said, taking another sip of my drink.
“And to answer your original question,” Owen chimed in, “sadly, we weren’t able to catch Alessi’s concert over the weekend since we had to fly out first thing Sunday morning.”
“Ah, too bad,” Bash said, nodding. “Miles told me he was going. Said they were gonna sightsee before she heads to Vienna for her next show.”
Owen nodded. “Is Miles taking their parents to Vienna for her next shows, too?”
“I think so,” Bash said. “At least I think that’s what he said since he doesn’t have to be back in Connecticut for the Sentinels training camp for a few more weeks.”
They were just diving into a conversation about Miles’s NFL team and their playoff chances with him as the new quarterback when Maddie’s laugh cut through the air.
And even though I’d purposely left my seat beside her earlier because the sexual tension had already been too thick between us this evening, I had to know who had made her laugh.
Dare I hope it was Sloan or Jennifer making more jokes tonight?
But nope, when I glanced her way, I instantly regretted it because instead of finding her engaged in girl talk with the other ladies like I’d hoped, there she was, sitting close to Theo. Like they’d just picked up where they’d been before I’d joined the party.
Ughwas the only word that came to mind as a twinge of jealousy twisted in my stomach.
Why did I suddenly want to go sit next to her again? She was my assistant. I should know better than to get involved with someone I worked with. Yet every time I got within a few feet of her, it was like all my common sense evaporated and I couldn’t stop the flirty comments from slipping out.
Why did I even come here? I didn’t have time for garden parties this week.
Not when I was supposed to be working on my presentation for the summit, reworking the section that had been driving me nuts for weeks.
But of course, when I’d gotten Owen’s text about Sloan’s party, I’d jumped at the chance to ditch my work and clear my head.
Except now, standing here, all I could think about was Maddie.
I glanced at Owen, and when I saw him smirking at me as if he could read my thoughts, I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d invited me here for some weird entertainment.
Was this whole thing planned?
Turning toward him, I crossed my arms and asked, “Why’d you invite me to this party anyway? You trying to set me up for an awkward situation with my assistant or something?”
“Nah, man.” Owen blinked, all innocent-like, before shrugging. “Bash and I just figured you’ve been working too hard. Thought you could use a night with friends.”
I gave him a look that said I wasn’t buying it for a second. Bash caught my expression and grinned before raising his hands in mock surrender. “Okay, fine. Maybe when Owen told me that Sloan’s niece is the girl we saw you making out with, we might’ve been a little curious to see how you two acted around each other now that she’s your assistant.”
“You guys are evil,” I muttered, rolling my eyes.
“Hey, we gotta get our kicks and giggles somehow,” Bash said with a shrug, completely unapologetic.
Owen leaned in a little closer. “You do seem to be in better spirits than you were at Addie and Evan’s wedding, though. Are you sure you two are keeping things…above board?”
“Of course we are,” I said, though my mind drifted.Am I actually in better spirits now than I was at the wedding?I had a good day today, I couldn’t deny that. And yes, a lot of it had to do with the dynamic between Maddie and me. It was fun. Easy, even.
I glanced back toward her again. She and Theo were still chatting like old friends, smiles and laughter flowing effortlessly between them.
Was that how she was with all guys? Had things been so easy between us because it was just how Maddie was?
Not that it should matter,I reminded myself. Maddie was an employee. Nothing more.
I took a slow sip of my whiskey, letting the warmth settle in my chest. But when I flicked my gaze back to Owen and Bash, I noticed them both watching me, amusement all over their faces.
Yep, they’d totally caught me staring at her.
“Shut it,” I said before either of them could get a word out.
