Love's Second Chance (Second Chances #1)(6)
He quickly acknowledged me, but then turned his face back to the road. “Yeah,” he replied.
“Jenna here wouldn’t tell me where we’re going. Would you be so kind as to tell me?” I said, giving Jenna a sideways glance. He and Jenna looked at each other and it seemed like a silent conversation took place between them. When Jenna gave the final glare, Brady threw his hands up and sighed.
“I guess we can’t keep it a secret for long,” he announced. “Why do you always leave the hard parts for me?” he asked Jenna, giving her a glare. Directing the conversation to me, he casually explained, “My brother invited us to a cocktail party that his company has every so often in appreciation to the employees. Ever since he took over, he does this for everyone. It’s his way of giving back to them for working so hard.”
“You can’t be serious,” I shrieked, astounded and scared all in one. “Did I just hear you right? We are talking about Galen, am I correct?”
“Yes.” Brady grinned sheepishly.
My heart began beating rapidly and my jittery nerves had me shaking. I hadn’t seen Galen since Jenna and Brady’s wedding, and I remembered being nervous about it because he was going to be seeing me with Carson. He had moved on to another woman, who I met at the wedding. She was a snooty looking brunette who gave me the evil eye the whole time, and I couldn’t stop wondering why Galen would’ve gotten mixed up with a bitch like that.
“Does he know I’m coming?” I asked nervously.
Brady nodded. “Yes, he does. I talked to him about it yesterday. I think he’s happy he gets to see you again.”
What the hell am I going to say to him when I see him? I thought to myself. I slowly sat back against the seat as we approached downtown Charlotte. When I got my degree in interior design, I had always thought I would one day work for this area’s lead architectural firm. It just so happened that it’s Galen’s family business. His dad had brought it up from nothing to the giant success it is now. I always anticipated a call from them, but it never happened.
We pulled up outside of the huge high-rise building of M&M Architectural Building and Design. The valet attendants were in abundance that night, and were eagerly awaiting the guests. Every time I see valets, I have a Ferris Bueller moment. Like for instance, the part in the movie where the two men took the nice, red sports car out for a ride while Ferris and his friends enjoyed a day downtown. Sometimes I wondered if that stuff actually happened in real life.
“All right, ladies, let’s go!” Brady called out.
The lobby we entered had me frozen in place the moment we walked in. If there was a heaven in the designing world, it would be here. I had never seen anything so immaculate in all my years of decorating, but what caught my attention were the various paintings. Jenna’s artwork was splayed everywhere, and I knew it was hers because I had seen her work on many occasions. How come she never told me about any of this? I wondered.
“Kori, stop gawking and come on,” Jenna snapped playfully.
I narrowed my eyes at her. “You have a lot of explaining to do.”
“I know, and I’ll tell you all about it later, but we’re already running late.”
Pointing my eyes in Brady’s direction, I stated adamantly, “Yeah, and we all know why we’re running late.”
Jenna laughed as I followed them to the elevators. It didn’t surprise me when I saw Brady push the top level button. When the doors shut, we made our way up the dozens of floors until the elevator finally opened. I was amazed to see that there were hundreds of people milling about in the wide open expanse of the room beyond. It was an open-style room with tables lined up everywhere, drinks and food decorating every single surface. It almost looked too good to eat. All sides of the room were nothing but glass windows, and I bet if I were to go to them I would see all of downtown and then some. I bet I could see my condo development from there as well.
“Ladies, have fun and mingle. I’m going to find my brother,” Brady said before snagging a glass of champagne from the table. Jenna and I both grabbed one as well, and I welcomed it. I was probably going to need more than one to cool my anxious nerves.
“Let’s get something to eat. The food looks amazing!” Jenna exclaimed.
We ate a few bites of food from the many tables, and I had to say the party was impressive. I’d been to a few designing conventions, but never to anything as grand. It had to be hard to find employers that would do this kind of thing for their employees. I bet they all loved Galen. I know I did years ago.
Gazing at the beautiful lights of downtown, Jenna and I stood there with our wine and admired the view.
“Are you nervous about seeing him again?” Jenna asked.
I laughed. “You have no idea. It’s been so long since I’ve seen him.”
Jenna rubbed my shoulder and smiled. “I’m sure you two will be just fine.”
“You’re not trying to set me up with him again, are you?” I wondered.
Jenna avoided any and all eye contact with me, and that was answer enough. Before I was able to protest, I saw Brady’s reflection in the window. Walking alongside of him was his brother, Galen. A chill ran down my spine, making me shiver, and it wasn’t the temperature in the room. Galen’s gaze never left mine as he moved closer and closer. The world began to move in slow motion as I stood there frozen and locked in his powerful trance.