Lifting my hand, I cup his cheek. “Doesn’t matter if he had. I would’ve turned him down, remember? Besides, I was sort of busy losing my virginity to my best friend.”
With a quiet chuckle, he leans down and presses a quick kiss to my lips. “Damn straight. Speaking of which, should we go find a quiet place to explore?”
It doesn’t take a genius to know what he’s suggesting, and I shake my head before murmuring, “You’re insatiable.”
“With you, I am. Let’s go.”
He hurries me through the crowd of people in search of an empty room we can christen when a voice stops us.
“Hello, Levi.”
I turn to see an older gentleman with salt and pepper hair and a stern look.
“Hello, Mr. Morris. It’s good to see you. Charlie, this is my boss, Greg Morris. Mr. Morris, this is Charlie, my girlfriend.”
Swoon. My heart starts beating a mile a minute when the word girlfriend slips past his lips, and when those same lips stretch into a soft smile as soon as they form the word, I’m positive I’m going to die from happiness. Or a heart attack. But it would totally be worth it.
“It’s nice to meet you, Charlie. Thanks for all of your patience during his internship. I know the hours can be grueling.”
His acknowledgment of being a hard ass makes me smile, warming to him instantly. “He’s a big boy. He can handle it,” I tease, peeking up at Levi to find his gaze solely focused on me.
Chuckling, Greg replies, “Yes, he can. Thankfully, it won’t last much longer. We plan to make our decision by Wednesday next week. Would you mind if I steal your boyfriend away for a few minutes?”
Boyfriend. I almost squeal.
“Of course not.” Turning to Levi, I say, “I’ll be over by the glass cases. I’m going to go check out those wooden figurines. Come find me when you’re done.”
Levi brushes his lips against my cheek and murmurs, “Be right back,” before his grasp on my hip disappears, and I’m left with nothing but a crowd of strangers.
Weaving through the groups of men and women, I find a quiet corner near one of the glass cases I’d mentioned to Levi. With an inquisitive smile, I lightly touch the glass barrier with the tip of my finger. Curiously, I inspect a misshapen giraffe that must’ve been donated by one of Jelani’s students. It’s absolutely adorable.
“Hey, Charlie,” a smooth voice interrupts, making me jump.
Turning around, I see Conner a few inches behind me. “Oh. Hey.”
“I almost didn’t recognize you. You look gorgeous tonight.”
“Thanks.” The compliment doesn’t make me glow like when Levi said it. Instead, my stomach rolls with unease.
“Would you care to dance?” He motions to the dance floor bustling with couples as a low hum of music filters through the air.
Digging my teeth into my lower lip, I mutter, “I think we should talk, instead.”
Conner’s expression hardens right before my eyes, and he drops his offered hand back to his side.
“That doesn’t sound very promising,” he replies coldly.
“I’m sorry, Conner.”
Raising his hand, he cuts me off and lowers his voice. “I know what you’re going to say, but can we do this in private, by chance?”
“Oh. Umm…sure.” I look around to see a few sets of eyes watching us, and the guilt hits me all over again. He’s right. I should at least have the decency to break it off in private.
As we make our way through the crowd in search of a quiet place to chat, I feel the heat of his palm touch my bare back. Flinching in response, I glance over my shoulder. When our eyes connect, his jaw tightens before the heat from his palm disappears.
I’m so sorry, Conner.
“This way,” he mutters, pointing to a closed door.