by Kiersten Fay
“Must have fallen asleep,” the man, Mack, replied.
Relief rushed her, and she swayed on her feet. This was the person they’d been waiting for.
He was wearing a dirty faded shirt that might have been green at one point, but now matched the grayish-brown surroundings. His jeans were ripped at the knees, white strings fanning out. Mud caked the soles of his shoes. Behind him on the ground was a ruffled wool blanket. Next to it, she spotted a bottle-shaped paper bag.
Mack rubbed his eyes with both fists.
“Where’s your friend?” Brian crossed to stand beside Kasima, who had yet to shrug off her adrenaline. She wanted to smack Brian for bringing her here. Remember the accolades.
She clenched her still-shaking hands and took in a slow, calming breath.
“Uh.” Mack’s squinted gaze meandered around the room, though she didn’t believe he could see any better than she in this blackness. “Buddy! You here?”
There was no reply.
Mack scratched his head. “Huh. Where’d’e go?” He threw out his arms, and blew out a hefty puff of air that smelled of gin before answering his own question. “Du’know.”
Brian groaned, then rallied. “Well, let’s get started. You ready to answer some questions?”
“Sure thing, boss.”
Finally Kasima’s adrenaline ebbed, especially when Mack retreated to his little cubby under the stairs and produced a gas lantern that cast a dim light in the room.
She didn’t place a lot of stock in the reliability of Brian’s ‘source’, but he was the investigative reporter, not her. She was just here to take great pictures. Speaking of, better get to work.
While Brian questioned the bum, having to repeat his words several times, she snapped a few photos of the two. Then she took the flashlight and ventured toward the section of the wide-open space where a couple of boards had fallen away from a window. Moonlight streamed in, landing on a mossy patch of soil. There, a small flowerbed had taken root. The blooms were closed for the night, but she could make out the vibrant orange and cool purple petals. The image she snapped was dichotomous with new life against a backdrop of broken glass and decaying debris.
Turning off her flash, she snapped another photo with the moon as her light source. That one would be eerily gorgeous.
“Come on. Let’s go,” Brian muttered from nearby. He sounded irritated. “This was a waste of time.”
Guess the homeless drunkard wasn’t the well of information Brian had been expecting.
Back at the car, Brian had her take another photo of him gazing off into the distance as though he was deep in thought with the mill in the background. She already knew it would be the one used for his article.
After putting her equipment away, they drove back to her place. In the driveway, Brian turned to her. “Thank you for today. I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome,” she said politely. “Aside from being scared out of my wits by an inebriated vagabond, I actually got some nice shots for my collection.” Though she wouldn’t be going on any more late-night excursions with Brian any time soon.
“I’m glad to hear it.” He grinned, then the expression fell away, replaced by something more awkward. “I have another favor to ask you. It’s kind of important, so please don’t answer right away.”
“O-kay.”
“The award ceremony is tomorrow.”
Warily, she replied, “Yeah.”
“Originally, we had planned to go together, and, well, I kind of expected us to get back together by now, so I never asked anyone else to go, and now I’m dateless.”
“You know any of the single ladies at the office would go with you.” Though their relationship had failed, Brian was still a good-looking guy.
He lightly laughed. “I know, but there’s no one I’m interested in at the office…aside from you.” He let that hang for a second, as if to see if she’d respond. She made sure to blank her features until he continued. “I don’t want to ask someone out of desperation and then end up inadvertently leading them on. You know how some women can get overly invested.”
Like me? “You could always go stag. No shame in that.”
He curled his lip at the suggestion. “Do you know how that would look? People will think I can’t get a date to my own award ceremony.”
She coughed into her hand. His award ceremony? She shook her head. Sure he was getting a special honor award for excellence in the field, but others would be getting similar awards.
“So what are you asking here?”
He hesitated. “Well, I was hoping you would still accompany me. Strictly as friends,” he rushed out, “of course. You’d really be helping me out.”
“Brian,” she sighed, “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“Because your vampire wouldn’t like it? Would he stop you from doing what you wanted?” His tone turned suspicious. He still thought Lex had compelled her.
Truth was, Lex wouldn’t care a lick if she posed as Brian’s date. Not that he’d ever know.
“Please, Kas. Since I first learned I was being honored, I always imagined you there by my side. I really want the ceremony to be perfect.”
His earnest look wore her down. “Alright, I’ll go with you. As friends,” she qualified.
“Friends,” he repeated with a Cheshire grin.
“Okay, see you tomorrow.” She got out and started heading toward her front door.
He opened his window and called out. “Thank you, Kas. I really appreciate it. I’ve hired a car service, so we’ll arrive in style. I’ll pick you up an hour before the ceremony starts.”
Doing the math, she stopped and faced him. “But it’ll take more than an hour to get there from here.”
Brian shook his head, slowly backing his car out of her driveway. “Didn’t Tanya tell you? The venue had to be moved due to the unexpected number of RSVPs.”
A sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, she said, “Moved? To where?”
“To Ever Nights.”
23
Over the next twenty-four hours, a battle raged within. Her stomach rioted and flipped while she mentally live-streamed steady calming thoughts. It will be okay. I’m just doing Brian a favor. A friendly favor. Lex would understand.
Although, it was entirely possible he wouldn’t even care.
Would he assume they were back together? Would it bring him relief?
The thought shouldn’t bother her so much. Yet at every opportunity, her grinding stomach reminded her that it did. It bothered her a whole hell of a lot.
If I’m lucky, he won’t even be working tonight. A flimsy attempt to ease her worry, she knew, but hadn’t he’d warned her he’d be busy with work—too busy to reach out to her? Even with a phone call? If only to tell her they were over?
God, how she missed his voice.
Not for the first time, she wondered: Is he ghosting me?
If that was his style of ending things, then he was a coward, unworthy of her consideration.
She knew, in part, she wasn’t being fair. Lex had clearly marked the parameters of their relationship, and she was the one who’d colored outside the lines. Still, a little closure would have been nice.
Every day she didn’t hear from Lex was a splash of water on the seed of her resentment. Over time, that seed had blossomed and bloomed. Now it was a briar patch.
Lex could assume whatever he liked. And then he could take that assumption and shove it right up his ding-dong.
Would he be jealous? Didn’t matter. They weren’t a couple and he didn’t have the right be jealous, not when he hadn’t so much as called her to say boo. She hated that a small part of her hoped for it anyway.
She smoothed down the front of her new dress that cost a month’s wage. Drop and dead and gorgeous were among the adjectives one might use to describe her. If Lex had any desire left for her, the way she looked in this dress would be a gut shot.
By the time she added the finishing to
uches—a pouty lip-gloss, dark coal eyes, and a flirty up do with loose curls around her neck—Brian had arrived. He’d rented a limo. Top of the line. Ostentatious, just as he liked it.
She’d thought she wanted that flashy lifestyle once. Now she could see the miserable path she’d been headed down, with a man who cared more about appearances and his own enjoyment than he did about his partner’s comfort and happiness. Lex had saved her from that, whether he meant to or not. She could do better than Brian. She deserved better.
Brian stepped out of the car and checked his hair in the car’s reflection. She imagined Lex with her now, rolling his eyes and shooting her a look that said what a douche. She almost smiled at the thought, but then anger rolled in. Lex might have shown her she could do better, but what did that matter when what she truly wanted was out of her reach?
Before Brian even got to her front door, she stepped outside to greet him. She’d expected him to politely compliment her appearance. What she got instead was way over the top.
Dropping to his knees, he placed a hand over his heart. “Oh, wow. Just, wow. You look...wow.”
“Get up,” she admonished. “You’ll wrinkle your slacks.”
He stood and brushed his knees clean. “Seriously,” he added, opening the limo’s door for her. “We’re going to look perfect for the cameras.” Tension stole through her. As with every year, this event was documented in the Tribune, among other outlets. Would a picture of her and Brian make the cover?
If Lex didn’t learn of her attendance tonight, he would then.
The possibility was far-fetched, but still weighed on her, and on the way to Ever Nights, her nerves began to ratchet at the mere thought of seeing Lex. Brian offered her a glass of champagne, which she graciously accepted, and then poured one for himself. “To us.”
“To you,” she corrected. “Congratulations, by the way. I know you worked hard for this award.” If nothing else, she could respect Brian’s work ethic. He was always out tracking down leads and interviewing sources.
“I did. But let’s not forget my gorgeous gal who supported me along the way.” He clinked his glass against hers.
“Well, alright,” she allowed. “To me, then.” The bubbly liquid fizzed in her throat as she downed the glass. Brian chuckled and poured her another.
She found it surprisingly easy to view Brian in a friend capacity, something she hadn’t expected. Though why should she be surprised? They’d started out friends, hadn’t they? Maybe tonight would actually go smoothly.
And maybe bees nested with wasps.
Just as she polished off her second drink, they arrived at the front entrance of Ever Nights. They’d pulled out all the stops for tonight’s event. A wide red carpet led from the curb, past a photo-op backdrop and up the stairs into the lobby. Skylights painted the sky in bright patterns to announce the event far and wide. A valet opened the door for her, offering his hand.
She stepped out, Brian behind her. Her eyes swept a gaggle of curious onlookers, trying to get a glimpse of anyone noteworthy. The limo had been like a promise broken. The crowd’s interest quickly faded, but Brian greeted the world with a Hollywood smile, his chest puffed up as though these folks had gathered for him alone. Most of them didn’t spare him a second glance.
Surreptitiously, she scanned for a certain familiar silhouette. Lex worked security. Would he be there, making sure everything ran without a hitch. He was nowhere to be found. If he was here, he was likely inside directing security.
Brian gallantly offered his arm, leading her across the red carpet. Still distracted, a couple flashes blinded her. She realized they were in the photo-op section. She tried to smile. Her lips felt stretched. To her relief, Brian ushered her to the side so he could pose solo for the cameras. Inside, Brian was still grinning from ear to ear. He almost looked sly, high off the attention.
In the banquet hall, she and Brian found their table near the stage. As she took her seat, her head swung around, cataloguing the faces of the employees that floated around, attending guests. None boasted those sexy bedroom eyes that made her heart thunder.
Which was a relief.
She waved at Tanya and her other coworkers in attendance, all scattered throughout. Dinner was a light salad and your choice of chicken, beef, or fish. Kasima had the chicken. Brian: the fish. As he ate, he chatted up the rest of the table. Kasima paid them no mind. She couldn’t keep from feeling like she shouldn’t be here. Ever Nights was where she and Lex had met. It felt like sacred space. Theirs. And yet it was his territory.
After the plates were cleared, the lights dimmed, and a hush fell over the crowd. A spotlight lit up the podium and a stout man took the stage to start the ceremony, beginning by thanking everyone for coming and praising the industry as a whole, then they continued on to the awards. Kasima zoned most of it out, preoccupied with glancing back at the door every time someone entered and exited the room. Each time it was just a server or a guest scurrying off in search of a restroom. The constant spike of anticipation mixed with dread was oddly followed by disappointment.
Brian leaned in. “My moment is coming up.”
She blinked up at the stage, surprised to see Mr. Dixon behind the podium now. He was talking about his all employees with a spark of pride in his eyes, how he was grateful to work with each and every one of them, boasting how he had the best team he could ask for. He was leading up to Brian’s introduction.
“I really appreciate you being here with me,” Brian whispered.
Kasima smiled and patted his left hand in encouragement, startled when Brian sandwiched her hand between his. “Kasima, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.”
She opened her mouth to disagree, but he swiftly continued.
“I know I really messed things up between us before. I hope you’ll give me a chance to make it up to you.”
Her eyes darted. “Brian, I—”
“I know you’ve wanted this for a long time. And I’m finally ready. I think this is the perfect time to not only tell you, but to show you how much I love you.” He fished something out of his pocket. She hardly heard Mr. Dixon announce Brian’s name and then the heat of the spotlight poured over her just as Brian went to one knee. A unified gasp fluttered through the crowd. Brian presented her with a small felt jewelry box, opening it. “I think we should get married.”
Her mouth dropped open. A thousand eager eyes bore down on her, suffocating her. Her eyes darted for escape. The room was a blur. Something touched her hand. Cool metal invaded her ring finger.
Brian stood and hooted in triumph. The crowd erupted in cheers. Kasima glanced down, taking in the horrific sight of the metal collar, choking more air from her lungs.
Someone at the table congratulated her. Brian was already gone, heading to the stage and taking the spotlight with him. A chill running over her skin, Kasima sat dazed, like she’d just been gut punched.
Then the shaking began. If anyone noticed the horror in her eyes, they likely attributed it to gleeful shock.
Brian started his speech. “Now I have two things to celebrate tonight.”
The crowd roared and clapped.
Enough!
Yanking the wretched thing from her finger, she shoved it back into the box, tossed it onto Brian’s chair, retrieved her purse, and then bolted out of her seat toward the exit, not caring about the curious murmurs that followed her. Brian’s speech never faltered.
In the hallway, she gasped for air. Her eyes burned with the threat of tears.
The nerve!
The arrogance!
Leaning against the wall, she tried to regain her equilibrium. Had she ever truly wanted that from him? That ring on her finger had felt like a death sentence.
And to think, she’d been dreading a confrontation with Lex all night, when the real danger had accompanied her in the guise of a friend. If she had any luck at all, she could get out of here without—
When that familiar sexy baritone sounded from nearby, her wo
rld crushed in around her. “I suppose congratulations are in order.”
24
Lex was leaning with one foot planted against the wall behind him, his bruiser arms crossed over his black security T-shirt. The coldness in his face sent splinters of pain through her blood. Only now did she realize he could have seen everything through the security cameras.
The sight of his dark contempt pushed salty tears over the edge of her eyelids. A traitorous sob broke free.
Taken off guard, he dropped his arms and pushed off the wall. His stony features lit with concern, and for a moment it was as if he had no idea what he should do or say.
Humiliation swirled with devastation. Air left her in great heaving wallops. She tried to rein it in, but the harder she tried, the harder she cried. Growing even more embarrassed by her uncontrollable display, she covered her face with both hands.
“What is this?” Lex stepped forward and gripped her by the shoulders. She moaned louder, hating that even now, she luxuriated in that simple contact. She wanted so badly to cling to him as she broke apart.
He pulled her hands away so he could see her face. His was a tight grimace. “Is it...are these tears of happiness?” He sounded doubtful and unsure at the same time.
The noise that left her lungs seemed to answer his question. Still looking at a loss, he wrapped her in his embrace.
So shocked by the action, her sobs instantly ceased, replaced by disbelieving sniffles. The pleasure of being held by him was so great, it snapped through her like an electric current. She shuddered.
“Do you want me to leave you alone,” he asked softly, though his arms tightened around her as if in protest.
She shook her head, her breath steadying. Her fingers dug into the fabric of his t-shirt. “Please get me out of here,” she managed in a coarse whisper.
With that, he leapt into action. Slinging one arm around her shoulder, he guided her forward toward the exit. Moments later, he was tucking her into the passenger seat of a yellow sports car that had just pulled up.
“Excuse me,” The driver complained, looking alarmed. “What are you doing?”
