About Last Night

I placed my hand on his t-shirt-covered stomach and melted into him, my cheek on his chest, breathing in his fresh scent. He unlocked the car and held the door open for me, closing it after I was seated. I told him where I worked, and luckily, he was familiar with the area. He drove in silence, while I occasionally sang along to the radio, and every time I would, his lips would spread into a smile.

Honestly, I would sing till my voice was hoarse if it meant that smile would show itself to the world. I liked it that much.

As he stopped at a red light, I turned to take in his profile. Matt Quinn was the type of man who demanded attention without meaning to. His face was all harsh angles that only softened with his smile. And when he did smile, the sun shone.

My hand shot out and I ran my knuckles over his five-o’clock shadow. My mind had just shouted, ‘Inappropriate!’ when Quinn closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, and leaned into my touch, greedy for the attention like a purring cat.

The light turned green and we separated. Another minute, and he was parking across the street from my workplace. Smiling softly, I uttered, “Thanks for the ride, Cap’.”

He took my hand, bringing my knuckles to his lips. He held them there a moment and my heart raced. His eyes held me in place, something stirring there, but not something I was able to put my finger on. Tightening his grip on my hand, he pressed a firm kiss on my knuckles. With his warm lips on my skin, he looked into my eyes and muttered, “Anytime, Mia. Anytime at all.”

Heat bloomed where it shouldn’t have bloomed and anxiety spread through me. My cheeks flushed pink. I exited the car and didn’t look back, rushing into the building. The elevator opened and I stepped inside. The door closed, and still, I stared into space.

A rough yet amused voice sounded behind me. “Rough night?”

My body jolted in shock. I hadn’t realized anyone was in there. I looked up into a familiar face. “Nicholas, hi.” I exhaled deeply, running a hand down my face. “No, I didn’t sleep well. How’d you guess?”

His eyes twinkled. “You still haven’t pressed a floor.”

My cheeks heated once again and, turning, I keyed in the floor while cursing under my breath. Annoyed at myself, I took some of it out on him by asking, “Does Addison know you’re coming this time?”

His smile faded, his response stern. “She’s agreed to give me an hour in the office without busting my balls.”

The cockiness, which forced me to ask such an inappropriate question, dimmed at the look on his face. “I’m sorry, Nicholas. I shouldn’t have asked that. I really did have a rough night. My brain-to-mouth filter is lagging today.”

That small smile appeared again and I was grateful for it. The elevator opened once more and we both stepped out, Nicholas making a beeline for his office while I walked in the opposite direction. I greeted Pip on the way then stopped by Ella’s desk, leaning my hip on the edge. “Hey, you.”

She smiled up at me. “Hey yourself, lady.”

“How are you feeling?” I asked quietly.

Her smile dimmed a notch and she shrugged. “I’m…getting there.”

That was better than nothing. With a consoling squeeze to her shoulder, I walked down to my desk, logged in to my computer, and waited for eight-thirty to click over so I could start my day.

“This is a fucking disaster!” Ella howled as she skidded to a stop by my desk.

My eyes widened as I caught sight of her heaving chest. “What’s a disaster?”

“The Mason. They kind of double-booked,” she muttered, twisting her hands together, averting her eyes.

My heart stopped and my face paled. Leaning forward, I whisper-hissed, “What?”

She wore a frantic expression. “This has never happened before, Mia. I don’t know what happened, but they double-booked. They have a wedding reception in the same hall as the Desperate and Dateless Ball on the same night.” She winced. “The wedding party booked first, so we’re the ones who have to reschedule.”

“Oh, fuck,” I whispered. “What do we do?”

This was my first big event. I couldn’t have my first event become a disaster. It couldn’t be a flop. This was not acceptable!

Ella straightened, drawing herself up to her full height. “Okay, here’s what we need to do. You need to look for suitable replacements while I contact the radio station and somehow cancel the posters being printed. If they threaten to go with another planner, I’ll give them a fifteen percent discount.” I hated how helpless she sounded. “If that doesn’t work, we’re screwed.”

Ella strode away and I immediately opened a web browser, looking up convention centers, hotels, and community halls. There were over a hundred places and I needed to start somewhere.

With a sigh, I picked up the phone and dialed.

Five o’clock had come and gone, and I was still at my desk, becoming more stressed by the minute.

Fifty-seven calls. Fifty-seven possible host locations, which were already booked. My elbows on my desk, I cradled my head in my hands, willing myself to calm the eff down. This would work out. It just had to.

The next location was a hotel a little out of the way, but they had a great hall with open fireplaces and a glass ceiling. As I dialed the number, I covered my eyes with my hand, fighting off a headache.

“Violet Ridge. This is Mary. How may I help you?”

I sighed, “Mary, my name is Mia. I work for Addison Limited. I’m organizing a fairly large event, a ball, in a little over a month’s time, and I’ve just found out we’ve been double-booked. Please tell me you don’t have anything booked in the atrium hall on the eighteenth of next month.”

Mary made a thoughtful sound. “I’ll just bring up our calendar, Mia. Won’t be a moment.”

I crossed my fingers and prayed.

Please, please, please, please, please.

Mary clicked her tongue then muttered, “Just as I thought.” My heart sank. Then she uttered a happy, “You are in luck. The eighteenth of next month did have a booking, but the party has since cancelled. Shall I organize for someone to show you around?”

I couldn’t believe my ears. I all but shouted an excited, “No, just book it!”

Mary chuckled. “Okay.” She paused a moment. “And you’re booked. Now we just need some additional details. Do you have time to do that now?”

Sweet baby Jesus, I would make time! I looked over at the clock. The time read 5:59 p.m. I smiled, utterly relieved. “Yes, I have time. Thank you, Mary. You’re a lifesaver.”

Over the next twenty minutes, I gave Mary all the details she needed then thanked her profusely. Saying goodbye, I hung up the phone, stood, and then threw my fist in the air, whispering a triumphant, “Yes!”

I looked around the office and blinked. I was completely alone. Letting out a long breath, I logged off my computer, threw my purse under my arm, and started to walk out of the office. I noticed Addison’s door open and the light was still on. I thought I’d better fill her in on the new booking before I left. I stopped in the doorway, knocking on the doorframe, and started, “Mrs. Dietrich, it took a while, but we’re booked for the Des—”

That was when I noticed her, head bent, a hand at her forehead, red-rimmed eyes, and a tissue clutched in her hand. Her shoulders shuddered silently as she sniffled.

She was crying.

Addison Dietrich, bitch, boss, and dragon lady, was crying.

Addison stiffened at the sound of my voice. “Please leave.”

I was not sure what to do here. I shook my head then backed away. “I’m sorry for interrupting. We can talk about it tomorrow.”

I turned and started to walk away, but something stopped me. Walking into her office, I took two more tissues out of the box and handed them to her. She took them, avoided my gaze, and then asked an acidic, “What are you even doing here at this hour?”

“Working late.” I backed up a step, but stalled. I would surely go to hell if I didn’t ask the following question. “What’s wrong, Mrs.

Dietrich?

“Nothing. I asked you to leave.” That she did. I knew when efforts were futile. I turned and moved to exit the office. That’s when she asked a faint, “Have you ever doubted yourself, Mia?”

I faced her and blinked, tilting my head in thought. “Of course. Everybody does.”