Page 113 of Until Now

“Huh? Oh, yeah. I thought I saw something.” When I look down the street again, the couple is gone.

“Everything okay?” Elizabeth calls from the entrance of the hotel.

“She just spaced out. The nerves are definitely getting to her.” Michaela pushes me towards the door. “C’mon, we need to get you ready. We don’t have much time!”

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After my speech, I don’t want to do anything but go back to the hotel and soak in the bath. The pain in my head intensifies with each step — a mix of lack of sleep, food, and the blaring sound on stage. The Tylenol started to wear off halfway through my presentation. When I open the door to my dressing room, I’m caught off guard by the large bouquet on the makeup table. Red roses, white hydrangeas, and white peonies. I smell one of the roses and smile when I see the hidden card tucked down between the stems. I trace the curve of his handwriting, but then my mind returns to the couple on the street.

“Whoa!” Elizabeth gasps walking into the room. “Who are those from?”

“Secret admirer.” I tuck the card into my purse.

Elizabeth quirks an eyebrow. “How intriguing.”

I slouch into the makeup chair and swallow another dose of Tylenol. “I’m exhausted and this headache won’t give up. I might have to cancel on Alex tonight.”

“Have you been sleeping?” Elizabeth frowns when I shrug. “Nin, you need to take some time to unwind. You’ve been going nonstop.”

“Yeah, yeah. I will.” I wave my hand. “I just need to finish the Denver office and get New York started.”

“Denver, Charlotte, and now New York, you’re never going to rest.”

“I’ll be fine, Elizabeth. I appreciate the concern, but I need to be there. Charlotte and San Diego are good, but Denver isn’t quite there yet. I promise after New York, I’ll take a vacation. Okay?”

“But, then you’ll find another and—” Elizabeth is cut off when Michaela busts through the door. “Everything okay, Mic?”

Michaela holds up a finger trying to catch her breath.

“What is it?” I press. “I have a hot date with a bottle of champagne and a bathtub. I don’t want to keep them waiting.”

“I-I j-just ran here because I ne-needed to m-make sure you were s-still here.”

“Well, I’m here. Che vuoi?”

“Y-you have g-guests!”

I share a confused glance with Elizabeth.

Michaela holds up her finger again before she runs out of the room. I roll my eyes and start packing my things. I want to be ready to leave as soon as these “guests” are gone. Michaela returns seconds later, Alex and a petite brunette follow her into the dressing room. “Hope you don’t mind we crashed your speech,” Alex says.

“Alex?!” I hug him. “Che ci fai qui? Pensavo che tu fossi occupato.”

“I still have no idea what you’re saying.”

“I’m just excited to see you! What are you doing here?”

“Anna’s a big fan. I couldn’t disappoint her.” Alex motions toward the brunette.

“This is Anna?” I'm shocked, I swear Anna was a redhead. “I’m so happy to finally meet you. I have heard so much about you!”

“It is so nice to meet you!” Anna shakes my hand, but everyone can see the internal scream she holds in. Her words fly by a million miles a minute, I can hardly keep up. “I just think you are the best. The way you built your company…it’s so inspiring. I used to think about going into fashion and design, but science has my heart. I think you’re so talented and real. You just tell it like it is. I love that.”

I wave my face, heat rising in my cheeks.

“When Alex and Nick said they knew you, I couldn’t believe it. What are the odds?”

“Any friend of the Davises is a friend of mine.” I wink at Alex.

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