Chapter One #2
Roxanne stood in front of them, her palms pressed together.
She eyed all the workers with a warm smile.
“You did amazing tonight. Couldn’t have asked for better staff.
You’re all invited back next year. If you want the work, it’s yours.
” She pointed toward the entrance. “Grab your envelopes on the way out. You’ll notice it’s a little more than we initially discussed.
Consider it a mini-bonus and a heartfelt thank you.
Without all of you, it wouldn’t have run as smoothly. ”
The extra money had come from her personal account. It probably wasn’t the best business move, but she believed in rewarding exceptional service. And they had all delivered.
Alex, one of the bartenders, pushed through the small group to stand in front of her. “We’re all going to Benny’s for drinks to unwind, and it looks like spending some of that bonus.” He smirked, eyeing her body. “You should come with us.”
He was charming, good-looking, and an absolute sure thing if she was interested. I’m not. There weren’t any ground rules about socializing with the staff. In her line of work, there was a constant turnover from event to event. However, it was best to keep her professional and social life separate.
What social life?
Shut up!
She ignored the taunting voice in the back of her head and smiled. “Thanks, but I’m just looking forward to going home and getting into bed.”
Alex moved closer, a gleam in his eye, and lowered his voice. “See, now that sounds good too.”
Roxanne resisted the urge to roll her eyes. It was a cheesy line that would’ve never worked on her, even years ago. But she’d give Alex credit for trying, though his efforts were wasted on her. She had no doubt another woman would be eager to take her place. Have at it, ladies.
“Alone.” She laughed, grabbing his arm, leading him and the others to the exit. “Now, stop flirting with your boss and go have fun.”
The staff might have finished for the night, but she still had a few loose ends to tie up.
Roxanne had done one final walk-through and retrieved her shoes before locking the ballroom door.
As she stood in the empty, quiet hallway, she briefly reconsidered meeting everyone down at Benny’s.
It was a fleeting thought. But still … This had been the biggest night of her career since opening her business a few years ago.
It’d been an epic success. I should be celebrating.
Instead, she was going home to her empty apartment. Alone.
“Rox.”
The booming masculine voice echoed through the hallway. She spun around, gasping. Aside from her assistant, there shouldn’t have been anyone inside the building. The lights dimmed in an uncanny coincidence of timing. Oh hell. This had all the makings of the opening scene of a cheap horror movie.
Roxanne squinted, eyeing the tall figure a few feet away. He was leaning against the frame of the door, and as he straightened, the light hit his brooding features. Roxanne drew in a breath, relaxing instantly. He hadn’t been a guest, though he had been invited.
“I’m still mad at you.” She playfully glared, pointing at him. “Do you know how many people pay to come to this little soiree? But you get a free ticket and decline.”
Declan snorted. “Not my thing.”
“Free food is everybody’s thing, Dec.” Roxanne winked, stopping a few feet away. She folded her arms. “Are you here to kidnap your wife again?”
The inside joke was old, but she never missed an opportunity to use it. His brows furrowed, settling into a deep scowl. His entire presence was intimidating. A glare from Declan Lockwood would have most people running for the door. Not me though.
Roxanne rolled her eyes. “Doesn’t work on me, Dec. I’ve known you for too long and I’ve seen you with your wife. You’re just a teddy bear trapped inside a grizzly’s body.”
His scowl was locked in place, but she caught his lips twitching.
The sound of footsteps caught their attention, and they turned in unison.
Speak of the devil. Declan’s wife, Evie, was rushing down the hallway, stumbling slightly.
Roxanne bit back her laughter. God, I miss this girl.
Evie had worked for her and Cassie but recently left her position for a cabin in the woods with her husband. Can’t blame her.
Evie had volunteered to come out of retirement and serve as her assistant. It was usually her sister-in-law’s job, as her partner in the business. However, Roxanne insisted Cassie attend as a guest only. It didn’t stop Cassie from slyly checking on things throughout the night.
Evie came to an abrupt halt in front of them, inhaling a breath as if she’d just run a marathon. She had a backpack the size of her torso and a large piece of wood in her hand. Roxanne stepped forward to help but Declan was quicker and gripped Evie’s backpack, pulling it off her shoulder.
“What did I tell you?” His tone was off, as if he was holding back some underlying anger.
“It’s my backpack. Not that heavy.” She reached for the bag, but he held it above her head.
“Evie,” he growled, his brows dipped tightly, forming two deep lines.
Roxanne didn’t know how much it weighed, but it didn’t seem overly stuffed.
Besides, Evie’s slight frame was deceiving.
The woman was strong. Why was he making such a big deal out of nothing?
It was none of her business, but being a girl's girl, especially with her friends, Roxanne inserted herself into the lover’s quarrel.
“Dec, don’t discount your wife’s strength. She was carrying boxes half her size earlier today.”
He jerked his eyes to Evie, and his glare sharpened.
Evie immediately shook her head. “She’s exaggerating. They weren’t that heavy. It was mostly paper products, I promise.”
What the … Roxanne was obviously missing something. Declan was overprotective of his wife. That was nothing new. But this seemed over the top, even for him. She parted her lips to intervene once again when she noticed Evie sliding her hand over her flat stomach.
Oh, my God. Roxanne shifted her eyes to Evie’s face.
Her lips spread into a smile as she stared up at Declan.
Neither of them said a word, but Roxanne was reading through the silence.
She had been so consumed with the event, she hadn’t seen the signs.
But I’m seeing them now. Evie’s glow was a dead giveaway.
Evie was pregnant.
It was impossible to contain her excitement, and she grinned, darting her eyes between the couple. Neither of them said a word. They would in time, but for now, it’d be their unspoken secret. This was their news, and she wouldn’t be sharing it with anyone.
Evie spun around, smiling.
“Winner, winner, chicken dinner.” She gripped the wooden plaque with her hands, offering it to Roxanne. She felt the blush spread across her cheeks. She was hoping Evie would leave it in the back for her. No such luck.
Roxanne hadn’t initially planned on participating in the auction—until this particular donation arrived.
She’d gone as far as strategically watching the bids coming in and continued to drive them up.
It was a fundraiser with the sole purpose of raising money.
However, she hadn’t counted on anyone wanting this specific piece as much as she did.
Her final bid surpassed her original budget.
It’s going to be a tight month. But in the end, she had no intention of losing. And she didn’t.
“Everything else has been picked up,” Evie said.
“Thanks.”
Declan lifted his chin, gesturing to the wood. “What’s that?”
Shit! Roxanne’s first instinct was to lie. The less attention brought to this, the better. But with Evie in front of her, it wasn’t a viable option. Instead, she had to downplay it.
Roxanne shrugged. “Just something I won.”
“It was one of the highest bids of the night, Rox.” Evie’s excitement only increased her anxiety. Please don’t out me, Evie.
Evie threaded her fingers through Declan’s and curled close to his side. “I actually bid on it too, but Roxanne’s blew mine outta the water.” She chuckled. “Was the artist here?”
The artist. They had invited him. And he declined.
“He wasn’t able to make it.” Disappointingly.
Roxanne forced a smile, hoping that’d be the end of the conversation.
She could feel the weight of Declan’s stare, but she refused to look at him.
Evie may not have known the artist. But Declan does.
Roxanne hooked her thumb over her shoulder.
“I’m going to grab my things in the back and double-check the locks.
You guys get going. You have a long ride home. ”
Neither made a move to leave. Shit.
“Get your things. We’ll wait and walk out with you,” Declan said. It came out as an order rather than an offer.
Roxanne shook her head. “Always working, huh, Dec?” When he glared again, she burst out laughing. “Go, I’ll be fine. I’ll have security walk me to my car.”
Evie shared a look with Declan and bit her lip before facing Roxanne. “Are you sure, because we don’t mind waiting.”
“I’m positive. Now, go! And thanks again, Evie, for all your help.” She waved them on.
In a move she hadn’t seen coming, Declan swiped the wooden piece from her hands. “Mind if I take a closer look?”
Yes, I do mind!
Roxanne flattened her lips, watching his eyes scan the piece.
“Isn’t it amazing?” Evie asked.
“Yeah, it is.” He flipped it over, and Roxanne’s heart rate spiked when the corner of his mouth curled slightly. He gave her a sideways glance and smirked. “Highest bidder, huh?”
“Yeah, by almost two grand, and the lower bids were extremely generous,” Evie said.