“I don’t know what came over me.” I looked at him apologetically as I took the first sip of wine.
“I do.” His eyes sparkled as he gave me a slight smirk. He was so damned good-looking it was hard to keep my composure. If you only knew what I want to do to you right now. My gaze was fixed on him and I could feel the wetness between my legs as his eyes slowly roamed up and down my body.
“There you two are!” We were both snapped out of our heat charged encounter when Jake, Vivienne, Conrad and Natalia interrupted us.
Thankfully Joshua was able to chat with them as I mentally pulled myself together.
“You look lovely Sarah.” Jake had the kindest smile.
“Why thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself.” I could see Vivienne frown a bit at our playful exchange. Oh, get over yourself! I had yet to see what he saw in her. In the short time I’d known Jake, I felt that he deserved so much better. I guess I should play nice.
“Vivienne, you look very beautiful tonight.”
“Thank you, Sarah. You look very pretty as well.” I think she seemed sincere.
“Thank you. And Natalia, your gown is stunning.” I summoned all of the goodness inside of me to make that compliment sound genuine.
She shot me a cool glare, quickly taking in my complete ensemble. Did she just turn up her nose at me?
“You’re very sweet.” And just like that, she dismissed me. But I decided not to let her get away with it. The men were chatting so I took the opportunity to teach her that I was not one to be ignored.
“I had so much fun getting dressed for the evening. I don’t know what I would have done without my glam squad today.” My smile was as fake as it was wide.
“Glam squad? What a nice gesture for Joshua to arrange that for you for the day.” Natalia seemed surprised.
“The day? Oh no, dear. They have been with me, every day, all month. It was very sweet of him to do that for me. Especially since I am just the new associate.” I gave her a coy smile.
I could see her seething as her eyes narrowed at me. Poor Vivienne had no idea how to react to us so she just stood there, silent. I shot Natalia a glare right back but curled up the corners of my mouth. Yes, you witch. Your ex-boyfriend has been treating me like a queen.
“Vivienne, do you like my new earrings?” I sneered at Natalia as I showed off my present.
“They are stunning. Were they a gift?” Vivienne seemed genuinely interested.
I looked directly at Natalia. “Yes, they were.”
Her face was so red, I thought her head was going to explode.
“Joshua!” Her voice was shrill. She must have realized she should not speak to him that way because she instantly turned on the sweet voice. “I apologize for interrupting. May I speak with you a moment in private?”
He looked a bit annoyed but he stepped away with her. For some reason this didn’t bother me. I felt pretty good about where I stood with Joshua. I turned to talk with the rest of the group. Jake and I were chatting about business when Conrad heard his favorite song. He asked Vivienne to dance and Jake and I were alone.
“I’m glad we have a minute alone Jake. I was thinking about what you told me about Lauren, your college sweetheart, and I wanted to give you a bit of advice if you don’t mind.”
“Of course I don’t mind. I welcome advice from you Sarah.”
“Thanks for that. Now, I want you to remember what I’m about to tell you okay?”
“Absolutely.”
“Life is short. We only have one chance, one time around. You found the one thing that nearly everyone wants to find. You found true love. You had it and you let it get away. No disrespect to Vivienne, but I want you to go get it. You deserve that happiness. I’ll bet you that Lauren still loves you. I just have a feeling. And Vivienne deserves to find it as well. I know she loves you, but she needs someone who loves her the same way. I’m not telling you to break up with her right now. You need to do things in your own time, in your own way and I get that. Just think about what I’ve said before it’s too late.”
He looked at me and I could see a flicker of sadness in his eyes. I can’t wait until I don’t see that anymore. Just then Vivienne and Conrad came back over to us.
“If you would all excuse me, I am going to the ladies room.” I made my way across the room to the bathroom and on my way there, in a tiny alcove off of the main hallway, I spotted Joshua and Natalia in what looked like an intimate embrace. I was fuming! I went to the ladies room and wanted to cry. But then I admonished myself. Pull it together Sarah! What did you expect? Joshua was a rich billionaire who could have anyone he wanted. Did you really think he wanted you? I actually was starting to think that he wanted me. I thought his jealousy was because he wanted me all to himself. But now, I started to think his jealousy was all about power and control. I felt so sad and I was happy we were going home the next day. I wanted to get away from him for a while. I would continue to work my ass off at work because nothing was going to deter my plans. But as far as he was concerned, I wanted nothing more to do with Joshua Hunter.
As I exited the stall, my eyes met the cold, blue gaze of Natalia Wittendale. She had a smirk on her face as she wiped off her smeared lipstick.
“Joshua is so amazing, isn’t he? We reminisced about old times and it definitely reminded him of what he is missing.” She had a very cocky air about her.
“And what is he missing, Natalia?” I had no tolerance for her snarky attitude.
“Well, me, of course. Someone who is on his level, who understands what his world is like. Our families travel in the same circles so he needs someone who is familiar with our lifestyle. We are perfect together and I just needed some time alone with him to remind him of that.”
I wanted to knock the smug look right off of her face. So she’s playing the money card. Money doesn’t faze me, never has.
I held my head up high, shoulders back and looked her squarely in the eyes. “You’ve forgotten one thing, Natalia.”