Hazed (Palm South University)

I blink, and it’s as if that notion snaps Brandon back to reality. He finally sips his drink, and then his eyes are back on the man across from him, and he’s smiling like he’s been following along the entire time.

“No,” I answer confidently. “I’ve got this.”

The small group parts like the sea for Moses when Jeannie and I approach, and everyone is a bustle of greetings and smiles. They congratulate me on a fantastic event, compliment me on the décor and entertainment, and almost immediately, I’m roped into the conversation that was occurring before we came by — how the Super Bowl will be held in Miami next year, and what that will mean for our event industry.

Jeannie and I slide right in, joining the circle and the conversation with ease, and while I chat business with the various executives, I can feel Brandon’s eyes on me.

Part of me doesn’t want to give him the satisfaction of looking back.

But dammit if I can’t help it.

There’s a lull in the conversation when I finally peel my eyes up to meet his, and when I do, the muscle in his jaw tenses, his grip tightening around the glass in his hand.

“Mr. Church,” I greet with a smile. “It’s so lovely that you could join us this evening. I know how busy it must be at Okay, Cool with the launch of the work share space downtown.”

His Adam’s apple bobs hard in his throat, but he manages a smile. “We wouldn’t miss it.”

I don’t miss the we instead of I, and at that very moment, the woman standing next to him casts a shy smile his way.

Though my heart is sticky and sluggish at the sight, I smile wider. “I don’t believe we’ve met,” I say to the woman, extending my hand for hers. She’s older than me, but still young enough for me to be impressed that she’s at this event, and while she wouldn’t capture my attention if I walked past her on a crowded street, she has a girl-next-door kind of charm about her. Her dark blonde hair is pulled back in a tight bun, warm brown eyes friendly and kind, freckles dotting the pale skin of her cheeks. “I’m Ashlei Daniels.”

“Oh gosh, I know who you are,” she says with flaming red cheeks, but she shakes my hand confidently. “Your reputation proceeds you.”

I smile. “Well, hopefully it’s a good one.”

“Very much so,” she says on a breath. “My name is Colleen Sparks. I’m the new lead account manager at Okay, Cool. Just moved here from New York.”

“Ah,” I say with what I hope is a pleasant smile. “My replacement.”

The color drains from her face. “Oh, well… I… I, uh…” She looks to Brandon with a grimace like she’s said something she shouldn’t have, but his gaze is apathetic. He takes a sip of his drink with those eyes burning a hole into the side of my skull.

“We’ll have to collaborate sometime,” I say to ease the discomfort I’ve brought to the group. I can almost feel the collective breath of relief when I do. “I love the Okay, Cool team, and I know you have talent over there. Together? There’s no telling what we could create.”

“We’d be honored to work with you,” Colleen rushes out.

“If there’s time,” Brandon says just as quickly, and I can see straight through his forced smile. “It’s a busy quarter for us.”

Code for: Don’t you dare come back into my life.

Part of me shrivels up at the rejection, but it’s a small part. Sure, I still feel guilty for what I did. And sure, I still love that grumpy man and miss him something terrible.

But I’ve got the power buzzing under my skin, the kind that can only come from putting on a perfect event and knowing I’m the head bitch in charge, too.

I know I hurt him, but he hurt me, too.

And where I would have stayed to fight for us, he fled.

So no, I don’t feel even a little bit sorry when I stand even taller, offer him a pleasant smile and say, “Of course. I understand. Collaboration with the new kid on the block can be scary.” I shrug as the group exchanges knowing looks and grins. “But my offer stands, should your schedule clear up at all.”

With a smile and a tip of my glass, I excuse myself from the group, then, and it’s not until we’re on the other side of the pool that I drain every drop of gin from my glass.

Jeannie smirks a little, taking the empty glass from my hand. “I’ll refill this.” She pauses, arching a brow. “Nice work over there. Mrs. Landers would be proud.”

I just wink at her, and once she’s gone, I press a hand to my stomach to catch my breath.