Chapter 26
Oliver
Thephoneringsjustas I’m reviewing the quarterly numbers. Dan Warne. My heart rate picks up slightly as I answer.
“Oliver. Are you and that lovely wife of yours free tomorrow night?”
I glance at my calendar, already knowing I’ll clear anything that might be there. “We are. What did you have in mind?”
“Just an intimate dinner with friends. Nothing formal. At the gallery, around six?” There’s a casualness in his words, but I know better than to treat any invitation from Dan Warne as informal.
“We’ll be there.”
“Excellent. I look forward to catching up with you again.”
“Can’t wait. See you at six tomorrow.”
The next night, I’m standing in the kitchen, flicking through my phone while waiting for Karley to finish changing. A picture makes me straighten. Liam’s getting ready, too. Perfect. The prick scored an invite. Fucking great. Maybe tonight’s the night Mr. Warne finally announces who’s getting the gallery, and I won’t have to deal with Liam’s smug grin ever again.
The sound of heels clicking on the floor snaps my head away from my phone. There she is.
Her black dress has a high neckline and falls modestly to mid-length, but then she moves, and the thigh-high slit on the left side catches my attention. My throat goes dry, and I almost choke on my tongue.
“You look incredible, Petal,” I manage to say, slipping my phone in my pocket as I step toward her with my hands out.
She places her palms in mine. Her makeup is flawless, her face radiant, but the way her eyes flick to the floor and back up tells me she’s blushing.
“Thanks for arranging the girls to help me,” she says softly, glancing back toward the bedroom, where the stylist and makeup artist from our wedding day are packing up. I’d flown them here to help Karley feel more comfortable tonight.
“I wanted to make your life easier.”
“It helped. There’s no way I’d look this good without them.”
“I beg to differ. You always look good.”
She smiles, and I notice the way her cheeks lift, her confidence shining through. “Thanks.”
There’s a quiet pride in watching her confidence grow, knowing I had some small part in it.
“The shoes are a nice touch.” Slipping my hands to her lower back, I pull her closer. The added height from her black stilettos brings her just close enough to my level.
“I’m hoping not to break my neck in them,” she jokes.
“I won’t let that happen.” I brush a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Though if you trip, we’re making it a scene. Maybe I’ll fake a tumble too… Really sell it.”
She grins. “Oh, and have Dan thinking we’re both hopeless? Sounds like a solid plan.”
“Exactly. If we’re going down, we’re going down in style.”
“Speaking of style…” She steps back and gives me a once-over. “You look good.”
I smirk, stepping back and giving a small spin. “Careful, Petal. Complimenting me this much might make me think you’re smitten.”
“Oh, I am. But don’t think I didn’t catch you almost choking when I walked out.”
“Almost?” I tease. “I’m still recovering.”
She shakes her head, laughing as the hairstylist and makeup artist quietly gather their things and head out, and I nod in appreciation.
