Page 15
The office line rang, and she grabbed it, relieved for the distraction. “Advocates for Animals.”
“Chloe? It’s Viv. I need a favor.”
She frowned. “You sound terrible, are you sick?”
A round of coughing echoed over the phone. “Hell, yes. I got the crud so I’m bed bound. Is Owen there?”
“Yeah. Can I come over and help? Bring you soup? Who’s helping?”
“No, don’t worry, I got my sister being my bitch right now.” Chloe heard a faint curse in the background, then a weak laugh. “Let’s just say I’m gaining some revenge while she picks up my used tissues. Listen, I need you to take my place at the Sidewalk Angels party tonight. Bring Owen.”
She shook her head, thoughts battering together. She’d been looking forward to an evening to catch up on some rest with a pizza delivery box and some serious Netflix bingeing. Now she’d be squeezing into heels, a bra, and dealing with her confusing feelings for her ex. “I can handle it, Viv. Probably no reason to bother Owen—he’s only involved with legal, right?”
“That’s exactly why I need his presence. Can you put him on speaker?”
Chloe glanced over and found him watching her, head cocked from overhearing his name mentioned. He’d hung up from his phone call. “Need me?”
She swallowed and nodded. “Yeah, Viv needs you to come with me to a function for Sidewalk Angels tonight. Here, she wants to talk to you.” Chloe hit the button.
“Owen! I need you to save my life tonight. I’m stuck in bed, looking like death, and I need you to go with Chloe to this function. I know you’re just a loaner from the Animal Defense Fund, but you’d be doing me a favor. I heard there’s going to be some big sponsors and donors who want to help us fight more legal cases. Having you by Chloe’s side to answer questions, charm them, and show we really care about prosecuting the bastards—not just saving the animals—is important.”
“Sure, Vivian, I can attend tonight. Is it formal dress?”
“Cocktail appropriate, so a suit and tie is all you need. Thanks for saving my ass. You, too, Chloe.”
“No problem,” Chloe said. “Send me the invite with the deets.”
“Done. Air hugs—talk later.”
Viv hung up.
Chloe swiveled her head around. Owen stared back with a gleam of pleasure in his eyes, even as his lips twitched. “Guess I get another date.”
She blew out a breath and tried not to smile back. This upcoming weekend was turning out to be more work than she’d intended—and with two different men. “It’s a business function,” she corrected. “No kissing.”
Oh, God. She shouldn’t have said it. Her skin turned warm, and she watched his gaze narrow with interest, satisfaction carving out the lines of his face. “Glad to know you can’t get it out of your mind, either,” he murmured.
“I can’t! I mean, I can. Stop trying to distract me. We have a ton to do before we have to leave.”
“You mentioned the kissing. Who’s distracting who?”
She shot him a glare. “Forget it.”
“I can’t. That’s my problem also. Wait till I raise the stakes to other things besides kissing. We’re doomed.”
Frustration mingled with laughter at his mischievous wink, but he strolled away before she could say anything. He’d always loved teasing her and knew exactly how to reduce the tension when a moment got too dark or negative. There was an inner light inside him she’d always been aware of.
She just hadn’t known how much she’d missed it until now.
The day flew by, and soon she was transforming herself for the evening. She decided on a classic black dress that hugged her body and had criss-cross halter straps over the shoulders. Shooting a longing glance at her fluffy slippers, she surrendered and chose her treasured and only pair of sparkly Louboutins. If she was going to suffer, it might as well be worth it.
She was on time when Owen buzzed in, despising any sort of lateness—another gift from her father. Grabbing a light wrap, she made her way downstairs to the lobby.
Owen was chatting with the doorman. Her gaze quickly roved over his sleek black suit, admiring the way the fabric emphasized the broadness of his shoulders, but when he turned, all she could do was stop and stare.
Those pale blue eyes filled with a fierce hunger and male appreciation that made shivers explode all over her body. Taking in every detail of her outfit, he straightened and prowled over, closing the distance, then leaned in to whisper in her ear.
“You stun me.”
