‘You’re raising awareness?’ Her eyebrows shot up.
This really meant something to him? He truly cared?
He watched her carefully, wordless for a moment. As if he was waging some internal battle. She waited, holding her breath, although she didn’t understand why.
‘We’re having a fundraiser on Saturday night, to throw a spotlight on the centre.’
‘Solomon Gunn is throwing a charity gala?’
Something flitted across his eyes but then he grinned and offered a nonchalant shrug, and it was gone.
‘What can I say? Lots of attractive, willing women to choose from, so I guess I get to kill the two proverbial birds with one stone.’
The silence pulled tighter, tauter.
A few hours ago she would have believed that. Now she knew it was an act. And that was what terrified her the most.
Was she being open-minded and non-judgemental? Or was she simply being gullible, seeing what she wished she could see?
‘Come with me.’
She had a feeling the invitation had slipped out before he could stop himself.
She frowned.
‘Sorry?’
For a moment she thought he was going to laugh it off.
‘Be my guest at the gala.’
Something rocked her from the inside. Like thousands of butterflies all waking up from their hibernation, and beating their wings all at once.
She had never experienced anything like it.
‘Like...a date?’
‘Why not?’ he asked cheerfully.
As though it was no big deal to him.
It probably wasn’t.
‘With you?’
‘Your eagerness is a real ego boost for a man, you know that?’
She aimed a sceptical look in his direction.
‘I hardly think a man like you needs any more ego massages. You have women practically throwing themselves at you at every turn.’
‘I’m not asking them, though, am I?’ he pointed out. ‘I’m asking you.’
She schooled herself not to be sucked in. Not to fall into that age-old trap. But it wasn’t as easy as it had been for all those other men who had flirted with her over the years.
Because those other guys hadn’t been Sol, a small voice needled her.
Anouk gritted her teeth.