Not everything in life goes the way we plan and Lena knows that more than most, but maybe it's time her luck changed.
Unfortunately for her, the new boss isn't as easily forgiving as the last and it seems like all he wants to do is make her life ha...
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▶️ Now playing Sebastian Paul - On Some High
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Mel glanced at me, full of sympathy and a little frustration, but she didn't need to bother. Was I disappointed I didn't win? Sure. Did it take a blow to my confidence? Yeah, you could say that. But it didn't matter, the fact Luke fought my corner and kept me as a nominee was enough for me.
So I smiled wider, clapped harder and made the most of the open bar. Maybe it was his little speech earlier that instilled some renewed fight in me, or maybe I was tired of being angry with the world, whatever it was worked and I wasn't going to waste a gorgeous dress and night off with misery.
And the dress was gorgeous—black with off the shoulder ruffles and loose skirt—but the heels were definitely a bad decision. As was not running away as soon as I spotted Luke approaching from the corner of my eye.
"Mel, Lena. You both look nice tonight. Sorry it's taken me so long to check in, I keep getting stopped every two seconds." He leant against the bar and was swiftly attended to, rich guy privilege right there. "I trust you've both had a nice evening?"
"It's been wonderful. Oh, looks like Terry's looking for me." Mel nudged me and I frowned as she pulled away and disappeared into the crowd. So subtle.
And now I was left alone to awkwardly converse with the boss, no doubt disappointed I didn't win but I'm sure he was riding his own high with three awards pocketed. "I hope you're not too disheartened by the results, I think you deserved to win out of all the nominees."
His admission caught me off guard and I strained a smile. "It's fine, I didn't expect to win but it was nice to be nominated. Congratulations by the way, though I'm surprised you didn't thank Dave in your speech." I taunted, as confident as the man was someone needed to write his speeches in future to stop the rambling. I'm pretty sure he thanked his high school teacher in there too.
"Did I really go on that long? I didn't have time to write anything down, clearly going with the flow is not a strong skill of mine." He laughed and lit up his whole face, brown eyes twinkling with warmth.
"It wasn't that bad, maybe let your editor take the reins next time though." I continued sipping wine as an awkward silence settled over us and I scrambled for an excuse to leave.
"Speaking of editors, I'm in need of one for my latest book and I wondered if you'd—"
"You want me to edit your book?!" I spluttered, cheeks growing an angry shade of red. "But you always use the same editor, why change all of a sudden?"
"George is retiring and I need someone I can trust. Does that mean you don't want to?"
"No, no of course I do. But are you sure? I don't really do much crime or thriller, there are others that are probably better suited." I smoothed down my dress with clammy hands, this is more responsibility than the usual editing gigs. One that could easily make or break my career and I didn't want to get it wrong.
"That's the thing, I've decided to go in a different direction with this book. You'll see what I mean, that is if you want the job?" He looked nervous, it was odd to see someone so composed look uncomfortable but maybe he was more human than I thought.
"I mean, I'll have to look over the manuscript but sure. I think I can squeeze you in to my busy schedule."
I smirked and he raised a brow, "I'll make sure the boss gives you plenty of space to give it your full attention."
My phone buzzed in my clutch and I quickly fished it out, anxiety rising as I saw 'Mum' light up the screen. "Sorry, I have to take this." I apologetically excused myself and walked through the maze of tables as I strained to hear over the din.
"Mum, I can't hear you. One sec." I finally reached the already open grand doors leading to the gardens and could hear her already deep in conversation with herself. "What's wrong? Is Mia hurt?" I tried not to panic over her babbling but she finally took a breath.
"No, of course not. I know you're busy tonight but since she got back to me so last minute I had to let you know about tomorrow. Had me on the phone nearly an hour prattling on about her husband taking up golf and you should've heard what—"
"Mum! What are you talking about?!"
She sighed and continued, "Antonia's nephew, Lena. I told you about setting up a date the other day and he is free tomorrow. I figured you wouldn't want to leave Mia two evenings in a row so lunchtime at Carvelle's, though dinner would've been much more romantic. I can still call and change the time if you want."
I pinched my brow and sighed in relief. Mia was fine. Everyone was fine. "I keep telling you I don't need you to set me up on these blind dates. They never end well."
"Don't be silly, Antonia's nephew is lovely and they know all about Mia so he wouldn't agree to a date if he wasn't okay with it. Oh, what's that honey? Yes, she's here." There was a scuffling and Mia's excited voice shouted down the other end.
"Mummy! When are you coming home?" I smiled and relaxed into a nearby bench.
"Soon, I'm almost finished here. Are you having fun at granny and grandads?"
"Yes, but Granny was on the phone for a long, loooong time and Grandad said..." I listened to her latest story as something rustled behind me and Luke walked into view looking concerned.
'Everything okay?' He mouthed and I nodded with a smile, covering the microphone with my hand.
"Dragons in the garden." He laughed and waited as I finished up the call and promised to be home as quick as possible. "Sorry about that, my mum has no boundaries."
"Your mum sees dragons in the garden?"
"Noo, I thought it was an emergency but turns out she isn't satisfied unless she's meddling in my dating life. Then Mia insisted I come see the dragons in the garden. It's a long story." Why I was rambling on to a man a barely knew I didn't know, but he seemed to take it in his stride regardless.
"Sounds like you have a lot of people that care about you." He said wistfully, I'm sure he had stories of his own behind those sad eyes. "Do you need a ride home?"
"It's fine, I'll take the train. You stay and enjoy your night." I stood and fully intended on making a break for it when a strong hand gently wrapped around my wrist and I was transfixed for a moment, the warmth spreading through me like wildfire.
"I can't possible let a beautiful woman walk home alone at night, and you'd be doing me favour. The sooner I can get out of this tux, the better." He pulled at the collar, but I was still painfully aware of his soft touch on my arm. "Come on, let's get you back to slay those dragons."
His laugh was infectious and I couldn't help but stare up at him curiously, my heart skipping a beat before I shook myself out of it. Get rid of those thoughts immediately. "We don't slay the dragons, we keep them as pets."
"Of course, how thoughtless of me." He entwined my arm against his and I don't think I let out a single breath the whole way to the car.
