“Thank you. Thank you,” Dr. Voigt said as the applause faded. “This is quite a crowd.”
The doors at the back of the room opened, the deafening squeak reverberating through the room and drawing all eyes.
“I hope that’s someone coming in, not someone trying to sneak out.” Dr. James Voigt chuckled, and so did the crowd.
But Rosemary wasn’t chuckling. She looked defeated. Here they were, close enough to make their escape but aware that doing so would draw attention her way. And knowing Rosebud, that’s the last thing she wanted. Instead, she stood against the back wall and crossed her arms over her chest.
“You don’t want to make a run for it?” he whispered. “I can cause a distraction? Push someone over? Trip someone?”
She covered her mouth to stifle her laughter. “Everett,” she whispered, shaking her head.
He stood beside her—probably closer than was necessary. But she didn’t move away.
“Tomorrow, I’ll get academic on those of you who dare to come hear my lecture. Today, I want to focus on the incredible work all of us, as beekeepers, do for the world.” He smiled out over the crowd. “We are the keepers of the future because, let’s face it, without bees, there is no future. It’s up to us to make sure that doesn’t happen. That our children, our children’s children, grow up respecting and caring for the planet in our charge.”
A muffled grunt came from Rosebud.
“What’s wrong?” He leaned closer.
“He... I wrote that for the funding gala last year.” She shook her head. “I’m beginning to wonder if all of his work and research—heck, every word that comes out of his mouth—belongs to someone else. It makes me sick that years of my research and my speeches are being attributed to his big, arrogant talking head.” He’d never seen or heard Rosebud this angry before.
Someone shushed them, instantly shutting Rosebud down.
Everett was reeling. Tansy and Dane were right. Dr. James Voigt was an asshole. Of course she didn’t want to stand here and listen to the man—he was tempted to lead her out, squeaking doors and all. But she was staying put, so he’d stay with her.
He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. He heard her take a deep breath and let it out slowly and gave her hand another squeeze. She was something else, his Rosebud. When her fingers threaded with his, he held on tight.
Because she washisRosebud. Fool that he was, he loved her. Always and forever.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
FORROSEMARY, James Voigt’s speech lasted for days. At least, that’s how it felt. Since she was familiar with most of what he said, she tuned him out. She’d wasted enough energy on this whole situation, and honestly, she’d much rather concentrate on the man at her side.
The man whose hand she was holding.
The man I love.
She glanced up at him in the dimly lit room. He stared, stone-faced, at James—but the tick of his jaw muscle implied he wasn’t as calm and cool as he acted. He was angry on her behalf. Her heart thumped along happily, even though she knew he was holding her hand in a very typical Everett show of solidarity. Him being outraged on her behalf wasn’t a romantic thing; it was a decent human thing.
She hadn’t meant to unload on him or cling to his hand through James’s entire speech, but she had. And instead of getting uncomfortable or trying to change the subject or making an excuse to flee, he stayed at her side and kept holding her hand.
She smiled, giving herself a moment to pretend that this was the norm. Her and Everett, holding hands, together. It was a nice idea. And as long as she was studying him, James ceased to exist. So did pretty much everyone else... What other reason did she need to continue ogling—discreetly, of course—this beautiful man? He was beautiful, inside and out. While every inch of him was manly and strong, his smile—his eyes—were kind. Warm. Everett was both those things.And so much more.
She blinked, her eyes adjusting as the houselights came up and the reality of their surroundings returned.
“Now that that’s over, what happens?” Everett asked, still holding her hand.
What indeed?Snap out of it.“I’m not sure.”
His gaze locked with hers, his brown eyes sweeping over her face. “You good, Rosebud?” The husky timbre of his voice rolled over her, curling her toes and leaving her a tad breathless. He gave her hand a squeeze, a slow smile spreading across his face.
Oh goodness.She smiled and squeezed back.
“Rosemary.” Dr. James Voigt stood right in front of them, smiling and unbothered—like he hadn’t taken her work and her dreams away from her not two weeks before.
She was so surprised to see him, she sort of sputtered, “J-James.” She blinked, trying to process what was happening. Why would he search her out? Smile at her? Act so...so normal?
James looked back and forth between her and Everett.
