“Then, I went to this gala back in September and met this woman and I knew she was the one I’ve been waiting for. But the problem was, we met while wearing these masks and neither of us were willing to take them off because I think we both liked the mystery and the thrill of what we were doing. We didn’t exchange names and by morning, she was gone.
“I couldn’t get her out of my mind and did the only thing I could think of and reached out to the owner of the Panthers and asked for the guest list because I needed to find out who this woman was. When I described her to him, he actually laughed at me and said my description sounded like Ensley Anderson, the party planner.
“To the web and I went, and as soon as I saw your picture, I knew it was you but couldn’t for the life of me, figure out how to tell you I wanted to see you again, so I decided to throw the Halloween bash, and I fired the other party planner I had used before to do this charity event because I had to put myself in your path.
“Earlier, I referred to you as extraordinaire when it came to your planning services, but a word like extraordinaire doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of who you are to me. I know I’m risking it all, our friendship and budding romance, when I say this, but I’m the one behind the mask. The man you’ve shared secret rendezvous with, who you’ve allowed to ravage your body in ways I only dreamed possible. I’ve wanted to tell you so many times but haven’t found the courage and even now I’m sweating bullets and my heart is beating out of my chest. I’m so afraid you won’t want to be with me after this confession.”
“Ensley, there you are,” Jordan interrupts.
Ensley tears her gaze away from mine. “What is it, Jordan?”
“The ice sculpture is melting into the cake. The fondue fountain is burning the chocolate. I can’t find the catering manager. The champagne fountain is overflowing.” Jordan throws her hands up in complete exasperation.
Ensley looks at me and I tell her to go. It’s her company, her job. I have to respect that and knew she would have to work some of the night. I just had no idea everything would go to hell in a hand basket as soon as I started spilling my guts.
I lean over the railing and look out over the city. Many times, the media conglomerates from New York City and Los Angeles have tried to buy Damien and I out or have come to use with proposals to merge and move to either city. Each time we’ve said no and worked to make our company bigger and better. The day we landed the Panthers broadcasting contract was huge but made sweeter when we signed the deal for the Hornets. Damien and I realized we don’t need the big city because what we have here is perfect.
“How’d she take it?” Damien mimics my stance.
“Don’t know, she got called away.”
“How do you think she took it?” he rephrases his question.
I shrug. “The other night at her house, we kissed. I think if I would’ve put more moves on her, we would’ve ended up in bed or fucking in her hot tub. I like her a lot and I think she likes me. The question is, does she like the guy behind the mask more.”
Damien looks over his shoulder at the party. “You can have your pick of single women in there. Hell, even some of the married ones. Are you sure the party planner is the one?”
I turn and lean my back against the railing. Damien’s right, we’re surrounded by Charlotte elite, but it’s Ensley, who is busy working to make sure my event goes off without any issues that catches my attention. From where I am, she looks calm, cool, and collect. She’s not frazzled or freaking out because something isn’t going her way.
“Without a doubt, Ensley Anderson is the one for me.”
“So, what are you going to do?”
“Besides wait for her response to what I’ve just admitted?” Damien nods. “I’m going to woo the fucking shit out of her if I have to.”
He slaps me on the shoulder. “Good luck, my friend. I think you’re both amazing and would really like to have her around more.”
“Me too, Damien. Me too.”9EnsleyHe knew the whole time.
I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel right now. In a way, I’m flattered and intrigued, and slightly pissed I got pulled away from him. Of all nights for Jordan not to be able to handle things on her own. My heart is beating out of control and my patience is wearing thin. I want to get back to Owen. It takes me a while to find the catering manager and to get things sorted out. We moved the ice sculpture away from the cake, the champagne fountain was overfilled so we fixed that, and the fondue was burning because there wasn’t enough chocolate in it. Once everything was fixed, the auction had already started. Everyone was at their tables, including Owen. The seat beside him that’s supposed to be mine is now filled with a busty blonde.