OLIVIA STOOD LOOKING in the mirror and waited for Piper. She didn’t even know why she felt nervous. They were going to have a ball. She didn’t know anyone. No risk, she told herself. Her dark hair was in loose waves onto her shoulders. The slate gray lace dress hugged each curve. Maybe it’s a little much. She hesitated but knew she hadn’t packed anything else dressy enough for the red-carpet dinner. The knock at the door startled her from her self-doubt.
“Oh, wow, Liv! You look fucking great!” Piper squealed when she answered the door. Piper looked like a 1920s starlet in a stunning short red dress. Her tiny dancer’s legs ended in black stilettos.
“You look hot as hell, lady! Let me grab my bag and let’s tear this carpet up.” Olivia grabbed her Kate Spade bag. Having Piper back was like getting a reprieve from a decade long sentence. Too bad there was no real escape from self-made prisons. Olivia vowed to push the demons into the shadows for the night.
As they made their way to the elevator, Piper filled Olivia in on her life. Piper had gotten her doctorate in English Literature. She was beside herself talking about enlightening young minds at Brown. No she wasn’t married yet. Olivia suspected Piper was still waiting for that perfect book boyfriend to sweep her off her feet. Unfortunately, Olivia already knew those guys didn’t really exist.
They met up with a few other readers and authors in the elevator. She looked around wowed at how glammed up everyone was. The energy in the elevator was palpable as if they were going to a real Hollywood premier.
“So how did you get involved in these events?” Olivia asked Piper as they stepped onto the red carpet. “I mean this isn’t exactly Shakespeare.”
“Indie authors are fantastic and the cover models . . . Oh my! You never know which of these stories will be the classics of tomorrow. If a book moves you, takes you to another place and time then it has something. I love coming to these events and meeting the authors and models that make it all happen. Tonight’s event has been sold out for months,” Piper said smiling up at Olivia as they approached the red carpet leading into the event. “Oh, we’re next! Now strut that red carpet!”
“God, I missed you.” Olivia put her arm around her friend as they posed for photos. The event photographer snapped away while the two women hammed it up, laughing at themselves the whole time.
“Come on let’s go get a drink!” Piper said when the photo session was over. They made their way toward the cash bar. The event was set up beautifully. The tables were trimmed in black and gold. They had perfectly captured the Hollywood theme setting the mood for a fabulous night. Olivia had to hand it to the event coordinators they were professionals. Piper thrust a vodka and cran into her hand and began talking to a couple of models in tight shirts and ripped jeans.
Olivia looked out over the sea of exquisitely dressed authors, models, and readers. Everyone was talking and laughing. Her heart suddenly pictured Grace among the sea of happy people. Feeling alone in a crowded room was nothing new. She realized she was scanning the crowd for a face that would never be there. She stared through them into a carefree and beautiful past. A presence jolted her and her gaze met a stunning set of pale green eyes staring directly into her. For a moment she couldn’t look away. His dark hair framed a chiseled face she felt she should know. His eyes were locked on hers as if they were the only people in the room. The voices surrounding them faded into the distance. Looking into the eyes of this stranger, she was looking into a soul she had known for a thousand years. A sudden warmth came over the room stealing her breath and her heart began to race.
“Liv . . . Hey . . . Olivia!” Piper’s voice broke her from the trance and she turned away.
What the fuck was that? Olivia took several deep breaths and downed the rest of her drink as she tried to make out what Piper had said.
“Earth to Liv . . . are you in there?” Piper cut into her near panic. “This is Chris and Michael. They are cover models!” She practically sang.
“Oh . . . um nice to meet you,” Olivia stammered. The two young men smiled and nodded in her direction. She returned their smiles politely while trying to figure what had just happened. Who was that? Did she know him? How could she? She turned back to the lower level but there was no sign of him.
“Would you like me to get you another drink?” The tall blond was asking her in an Australian accent. His curly hair sat playfully on top of his head. The rugged stubble on his chin framed his mouth that turned up in a mischievous smile. His blue eyes sparkled while he waited for her to respond. Olivia had to admit he was damn sexy, but she was still in shock over the man she had only seen across the crowded room.
“Thank you. Yes please that would be great,” Olivia answered only giving him half her attention. Piper began introducing her to a group of authors. Olivia smiled and shook hands but she couldn’t help but wonder about the man with the pale green eyes and who he was.
The event announcer stepped up to the microphone and began introductions. Olivia followed Piper to their seats. She sat beside a lovely couple from Washington State. They began talking with Piper about a story they had all loved. Half the world loved, Piper interjected, but Olivia had barely heard of it much less read it. She watched Piper beam with excitement. Just being here was worth it. Olivia pushed back guilt over the years she had left Piper out of her life. It had just been too painful at first. That was a long time ago she reminded herself.
The servers brought a fantastic meal. As their table settled in to eating and talking various authors and models were taking turns saying a few words about this book or that. Olivia was seated so that her back was to the stage area. She didn’t know any of the people speaking anyway so she busied herself with the chicken and rosemary potatoes. The organizers had done an excellent job choosing the food. Suddenly Piper sat up and grinned ear to ear. Olivia stifled a giggle at her friend’s total fan girl moment and reached for another bite without turning around.
A speaker came to the podium and for the first time Olivia heard his voice. The chill that spread over her skin was quickly followed by an intense warmth. Half afraid to look, but unable to stop herself, she turned her head and there he was. Dominic Kain introduced himself to the room. The smooth bass that flowed from his mouth washed over her completely. When he laughed she felt it. He talked about some book he was on the cover of and the journey of creating it. Olivia struggled to follow his words, though each syllable played through the very fiber of her being. What the hell? Why was she so affected by a complete stranger? What the hell was wrong with her? He seemed to be scanning the room as he spoke until his eyes locked on hers. She felt her breath leave and struggled not to suffocate from the intensity of the connection. He continued talking but only looking at her, into her. His pale eyes turned dark and stormy. She had a sudden flash of him cornering her in an elevator. His lips met hers and she was overwhelmed by the intensity and the taste of cinnamon.
This is stupid! You cannot have a flashback of an event that never happened. Olivia turned away and picked up her chardonnay. She chugged a bit more than she meant to and spilled a few drops on her chin and down on to her dress. She almost choked on the liquid. She had never been this affected by anyone in her life.
Ever since Grace’s death she had suffered nightmares and panic attacks. Occasionally she experienced episodes that could be described as flashbacks because they felt so real. The kicker was sometimes they were for events that never happened. Her therapist said it was part of the way her mind dealt with the stress of the unknown. There was no closure so her mind filled in the blanks. The whole first year after Grace died was a blur. A painful mix of emotions and partial memories that she had blocked out until now.
She needed to get out of this room. She needed to breathe some cool night air. She sat looking anywhere but at him and when he handed over the mic, she excused herself from the table.
“Piper, I’ll be right back. I need to go to the bathroom,” Olivia whispered as the crowd stood to applaud his speech.
“Are you okay? You look pale,” Piper responded, her eyebrows crinkled in concern.
How could she explain to the friend she hadn’t seen in a decade that a total stranger took her breath away. “I’m fine,” she choked out. “I’ll be right back, I promise.” Olivia stood and started toward the bathroom. She had only taken a few steps when she heard his voice call out.
“Grace . . .” he breathed with the intensity and desperation of a man pleading for his very life.
Olivia froze. She dared not turn around. Her breath came short and quick and she closed her eyes. An eternity passed in that moment. She heard steps right behind her and felt the heat of his presence.
“Dominic,” a woman’s voice called out and he stopped short.
Olivia didn’t wait. She bolted across the ballroom and up the steps. In a flash she was outside on the dock that led to the water. She gasped and finally allowed herself to breathe. What the actual fuck? Had he really called her Grace? Did she imagine that? Tears stung her eyes and Olivia felt like she would throw up. There is no way. Hell he was probably not even talking to her. She began walking down the boardwalk toward where all the cigarette boats were parked. Maybe a decade wasn’t long enough.
She just had to get a grip. I am an attorney. I will not let myself get rattled by a male model, Olivia repeated to herself silently as she walked in the cool air. She knew she should go back in there. She hated that she was leaving poor Piper. But she couldn’t go back just yet. She walked on in the darkness. After what felt like a mile of self-loathing, Olivia took out her cell and messaged Piper.
I’m sorry, Piper! I needed some air.
Olivia hated herself for ditching her friend. She had to go back. She knew Piper had paid a pretty penny for those tickets.
Where are you sweetie? The dinner is almost over. Are you okay?
I am a shitty friend. Olivia stopped walking and looked out over the water. She watched the boats moving in the harbor.
I’m out on the pier. I’m okay. Heading back now.
Olivia took a deep breath and willed her legs to move back toward the hotel. No matter who that guy was, he was probably talking to someone else if he even said Grace at all. Jeez, she was not going to get all paranoid and worked up over some book model. She was thankful that no one she knew saw how vulnerable she was for a moment. Olivia moved with purpose back toward the hotel. When she got close she realized the event must have let out as beautifully dressed people had moved out onto the pier chatting and carrying their cocktails.
Through the crowd, she spotted Piper. There was no sign of the model from the dinner. Olivia reached Piper and apologized. “Piper, I’m so sorry I didn’t make it back.”
“No worries, Olivia, I completely understand. It can be a little intimidating to be around all those models and authors for the first time!” Piper began telling her about a few of the authors she met and how excited she was for the next day as they moved back into the hotel and toward the bar. Olivia just nodded in agreement. She wasn’t about to admit, even to herself, that she had let a male model completely flip her out.
They sat down next to the couple they had met from Washington State and Olivia ordered a double Grey Goose with a splash of cran on the rocks. This was without a doubt Olivia’s favorite drink. She tipped the bartender and swirled the pink liquid. She tipped the cool glass to her lips and willed the contents to take her away. Just as she had so many times in the last decade Olivia felt all alone in the crowded bar. The dull roar of voices spilled all around her and filled up the air. They laughed, talked, and enjoyed each other. She couldn’t help feeling like no one really saw her. She sat like a ghost unnoticed by the living.
His voice floated across the bar and enveloped her. Each syllable that escaped his lips drowned out the rest of the bar until they just faded away. Unable to resist, Olivia looked up. Dominic Kain stood on the other side of the room. A beautiful redhead on his arm. He was nodding at something the woman was saying but his eyes were locked on Olivia. In the room full of people he was looking only at her. His pale green eyes lit up as if someone had lit a fire behind them. Olivia swallowed hard; her mouth suddenly dry as the Sahara.
“That’s Dominic Kain and bestselling author Grace Parker!” Piper interrupted breaking the spell.
“What?” Olivia asked and grabbed her drink. She was going to need another.
“Dominic Kain the cover model, he spoke tonight and that is New York Times bestselling author Grace Parker! I pre-ordered her entire Loving Me series!” Piper was gushing now but Olivia had stopped listening.
Grace Parker. She laughed and drained her drink. God, she was a fool. He had said Grace. Of course there was more than one Grace in the world. She couldn’t believe she had been so easily captivated. She had let her imagination run away with her. She looked at him surrounded by a sea of readers. He was laughing and talking to each one. Who was she kidding. He was a male model in his element nothing more.
Just then Olivia’s phone buzzed. She looked down to see a message from Mr. Davis. That was odd for a Friday night. He wanted her to call. Olivia excused herself from the group and stepped in the hall that led to the elevators.
“Mr. Davis. This is Olivia. Is everything okay?”