24. Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Four
WYATT
It hadn’t even been two days since she left and I was already going insane. I’d just talked to her on the phone, but it didn’t matter because she wasn’t here. She’d be back tomorrow, I reminded myself. Then I had five days to talk her out of moving into the apartment she was going to rent. I knew it was going to take a lot of convincing, but when I thought about it, none of it made sense. We both knew she would be at the hotel with me every night. Wouldn’t it be easier for her to not have to travel back and forth every day? Bottom line was I couldn’t imagine her not in my arms every night.
I nodded my head at one of the other donors as he looked expectantly at me. I hadn’t a clue what he’d said, but luckily, a nod did the trick. I didn’t even want to be at this damn dinner meeting. But since I was a donor, not to mention all of these people loved my grandparents and they wanted to name the new wing after them, I didn’t have a choice. I tipped my head to the bar, excusing myself from the discussion. Only way I was getting through this was with plenty of alcohol. I ordered another whiskey on the rocks and cherished the burn as I tossed back half the glass.
Out of the corner of my eye, silky red fabric caught my attention, and for a brief minute I thought it might be my sexy temptress in red. I was sorely disappointed when I turned and found Natalie sidling up to the bar. The smile she directed at me made my stomach turn. At one time I thought she was totally my type, but now I couldn’t understand what had attracted me to her in the first place.
“Want to get out of here?” she cooed.
She ran her hand up my arm, and I flinched back. Was she serious? I’d turned her down the last time she was standing nearly naked in front of me. What made her think anything had changed?
I studied her face as she shifted closer, alcohol heavy on her breath.
“Come on. It’s always good between us.” She trailed her fingers up my hand that rested on the bar.
I moved it out of herreachand placed a hand on her shoulder to stop her from falling into me.
She was drunk. Mostdefinitelywasted. I glanced around to see if she was with anyone, and no one paid us any mind. Turning back to Natalie, I eyed her as she wobbled on her heels, her eyes red and glassy.
With a huff, she lifted a hand, attempting to flag the bartender down. I shook my head, silently telling the dude he shouldn’t serve her.
“How about I give you a ride back to your apartment?”
That got her attention, and she spun on me with a smile. “As long as you come up.”
I shook my head. “Not gonna happen. I’m with someone now.”
“Yeah, okay.” She waved me off. “You’ll get bored and move on soon enough,” she slurred.
I pulled up my text thread with Paul, letting him know I was ready. “Come on. Let me get you home.”
She pouted and narrowed her eyes at me before sighing dramatically. “Fine. I was bored with this place anyway. Everyone is married or taken.” She glanced around before cringing. “Or old.”
She pushed away from the bar and stumbled forward. I reached out and grabbed her by the elbow, steadying her before heading to the door.
Once we were outside, I almost regretted trying to help her when she spun and tried to run her hands up my chest.
I locked my jaw and pried her hands off me and nodded to the waiting car. “Get in, Natalie.”
She stomped her foot like a child who’d been told no. “You’re no fun.”
Thankfully she gave me no trouble as I helped her into the back seat. The look Paul shot me, however, said he planned on giving me an earful. I climbed into the front seat. The last thing I wanted was to give Natalie any chance to throw herself at me again.
Paul pulled away from the curb, silently stewing.
“She’s drunk. Just wanted to see her home safely.” I looked over at him. “You know how I feel about Angie.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Right. Even more reason to keep your distance from other women. You could have called her an Uber.”
“In Starlight Bay? You can’t be serious.”
He shrugged. “Or you could have left her there. She’s not your problem anymore.”
“Not my style, and you know that. I couldn’t live with myself if I could have done something and didn’t and then she ended up on the eleven o’clock news.”
“You better hope and pray that it doesn’t get back to Angie that you were seen leaving tonight’s event with another woman.”
My spine stiffened. Fuck. I didn’t even consider that. I tried to push the unease away. If someone said something, I would just explain to her what happened. She’d believe me. Wouldn’t she?