Chapter 9
Faith
A few hours of studying, the shower I had promised myself, and then an extra glass of wine. No wonder I had needed to take a walk around the block before I got back to studying. My apartment was cramped and too warm, and I was sick of waking up with book pages stuck to my face.
I took a deep breath and kept wandering. At least until the corner. Then I had to admit I knew exactly where I was going.
There was no harm in it, I told myself. The high-rise gardens were public and I had walked through them to the fountain many times before. And if I wanted to tempt fate by hanging around the fountain for a while, then no one could stop me.
I fluffed up my hair and then giggled at myself. Brenden was way up top in the penthouse suite, no doubt charming rich ladies as he generously gave to whatever charity it was. It wasn't like he was going to smell me and decide he needed to come all the way down and hang out in some empty lot next to the street.
Then I entered the courtyard and I knew instantly I had made the right decision. It was lit with large hanging globe lights that added warmth to the concrete path and the large concrete plant pots. Trailing plants spilled over the edges, and the fountain's gentle splashing called.
I'd just walk through, enjoy the magical little spot in the city, and then be on my way. I'd changed into black leggings, leather boots, and exchanged my bulky sweatshirt for a soft, oversized sweater. It was real cashmere that I had snagged at a consignment sale years ago. The outfit was comfortable and not fundraiser appropriate, but I didn't want to appear desperate. It was silly and 'just-in-case,' anyway.
I rounded the next planter and wondered if I looked as casual as I hoped. Voices came from ahead and my heart started hammering. What if my instincts were right? What if Brenden was somehow in the garden?
"Brenden was right in the middle of a speech, Rach. You couldn't have picked a worse time."
I recognized Brenden's friend Darin from before. Rachel looked as tall and model-perfect as always, except she was swaying on her feet.
"There's no good time anymore. Brenden's too busy to have a good time." She swatted some pretty leaves and watched them fall to the sidewalk. "So I don't care what time it is."
"It's time to go home," Darin said. "Thank god. I'm not going back up there. I never wanted to come in the first place."
"Because you're fun." Rachel swung closer to Darin and wrapped her arms around his neck just before her knees gave out. "Oops!"
"Rachel, stop! What if someone sees?"
I stepped back behind the shadow of a Japanese maple. The small tree had a wide canopy of leaves but I still knelt down. If Darin spotted me again, except this time showered and changed, he would certainly tell Brenden I was some kind of stalker.
But Darin wasn't noticing much besides Rachel. She was pressed against his chest and giggling. His hands reached behind his neck to disengage her, but then he paused. They swayed like that, noses almost touching, and I held my breath.
Their heads tilted slightly. It looked like they were…kissing.
Rachel made a loud moaning sound. They were. They were kissing.
What was I seeing?
I scooted backwards until I was sure they couldn't see me, and then I took off. I was halfway around the block when I realized I had to go back. I still wanted to see Brenden again, but this time to tell him. It was none of my business, but he deserved to know everything some random person on the street could see. I didn't want to tattle on his so-called “friend” and girlfriend, but someone had to be Brenden's eyes.
I circled the block and entered the courtyard again. This time all I could hear was the quiet splashing of the fountain. Darin and Rachel were gone. I stopped and took a deep breath. Despite the confusion of what I had seen, it felt good to be in the courtyard garden. It felt right somehow.
Then I turned and almost walked straight into a smiling Brenden. "Oh, hi," I squeaked.
He caught my hands and his grin widened. "I'm glad you changed your mind."
He tucked my hand into the crook of his arm and started toward the high-rise. It felt natural to fall in step with him until we reached the elevator.
"Wait, no. I can't do this. I'm just on a study break and I'm not dressed for a fundraiser." I tugged free.
He held open the elevator doors. "But if you don't come, then my driver will have to bid on me and that will just be embarrassing," he said.
"Bid on you?" I stepped into the elevator but blocked the doors from shutting.
"Well, I can't help you study if someone else wins the auction." Brenden coaxed me a step farther. "I'll just give you my platinum card and you bid until you win. It's that easy."
"The fundraiser is a bachelor auction?" I laughed and the elevator doors slid shut. "And you're worried about who might win a date with you?"
"Well, actually, I'm less worried now than I was, but you could still save me from a long, awkward evening," Brenden said.
"What about your girlfriend?" I regretted the words as soon as they were out of my mouth. It was none of my business and I had no idea what I had actually seen in the courtyard.
"I'm single. The break-up with Rachel was a long time coming. In fact, I'm kind of surprised you didn't see her leaving," Brenden said.
"I was, I was, study break. I mean, I was walking around the block." I covered my mouth to hide my shock.
"You didn't like Rachel," Brenden reminded me.
I shook my head and then realized that was silly. "No. No, it's just she wasn't your type."
"Oh, so now you know me well enough that you've identified my type?" he said in a teasing voice.
"No, you're right." I didn't know what else to say. So, I slipped my hand into his.
"I think we broke up a long time ago but were just going through the motions. Now I'm free." He kissed the back of my hand. "I'm free until old widow Danvers buys out the whole weekend."
I laughed. "Fine. I'll take your platinum card, but I'm not guaranteeing I'll bid on you. Better scope the field first."
The elevator doors slid open on the penthouse floor. The fundraiser was still going, with spirited bidding on a young blond man. Couples strolled through the silent auction section while others sipped champagne.
Brenden dragged me out of the elevator. "While you're checking out the field, let me know if you see an older gentleman--"
"Sir?"
I jumped and Brenden laughed out loud. "See, Jasper? I'm not the only one that thinks you sneak up on people."
"I just came to tell you an anonymous donor bought out your entire evening," Jasper said.
I turned back to the elevator but Brenden caught me around the waist. "At least have a drink?"
I agreed, even though curious eyes were already sizing me up. I was underdressed and completely outclassed. Still, with Brenden next to me and his wiry, sharp-eyed driver behind, I felt untouchable.
Then I forgot all about the crowd. A waiter balancing a precarious tower of champagne flutes was barreling toward us. Before I could open my mouth to warn Brenden, he spun me in his arms and shielded me from the oncoming disaster. The waiter made it a few feet more and the whole tray crashed. I flinched and was instantly enveloped in Brenden's arms.
"How? How did you know?" I asked. I clung to his arms as my blood pressure returned to normal.
"We've got more senses than just sight," he told me, not letting go.
He was right. I breathed in his spicy cologne and heard his heart beating close to my ear. I felt his hard chest against my shoulder and his tight bicep under my fingers. His lips were so close. All I had to do was tilt my head, and I would be able to taste his kiss.
I looked up and saw him smile.