That's How it Happens

3. Somebody that I used to know

Leo stared through the open doors as someone else entered the event's room, back down at his watch, and began pacing again.

Ainsley was late.

Cursing himself under his breath, he knew he shouldn't have agreed to meet her here, but she had made a promise and always kept them.

Usually.

He frowned. Looking at his phone, he hit the call button and listened as it went straight to voicemail, as it had the first several times before. With a curse under his breath, he pocketed his phone. She hadn't wanted to be here tonight, and she knew he had been lying about the auction; he was sure of that. He huffed an annoyed sigh, his eyes watching the opened doors, and turned to face the party. What was he going to do if she didn't show?

Last year, Ainsley raised more than any of the other girls, and he was invited to return with her. He wanted to maintain that status because getting in good with Smith and Nelson was great for business. It looked great to the board, especially for their future. It was for charity, after all.

Unfortunately, Eugene had won the bid last year, but that wasn't his fault. Leo tagged along on their bizarre date to ensure the man kept his hands to himself. That memory made him smile. Besides, it allowed Ainsley to leave her comfort zone, which meant her apartment and office. She needed to be out meeting new people. He worried for her, especially after this breakup with Chris. She was one more bad relationship away from losing her sanity. If the mannequin would stay out of her business, he wouldn't have to worry about her dating idiots. Ugh...the mannequin. He despised her. What was it about that ridiculous woman that Ainsley liked? There was also Eugene to contend with. The man didn't understand rejection, not that Ainsley had spoken up about how she felt. She'd much rather hide and pretend the guy didn't exist.

A lot like most things she didn't like doing, as in...

That's it. He was going to go after her. Yet there was no need.

"Were you looking for me?" Ainsley tapped his back, amused.

His shoulders dropped with relief, and she bit her tongue so as not to say anything sarcastic. It served him right to feel a little uncomfortable. She had known about tonight since last week but waited until he asked; she certainly wasn't going to volunteer herself, which is why she had gone shopping at his expense. It wasn't her fault the hair appointment had run late; the shop had squeezed her in last minute when she called a few days ago. It had been years since she had done something with her hair, and she had gone far out of her comfort zone, though she didn't understand why she had done it. That wasn't true either. She wanted to make a statement for her mother, who was hundreds of miles away: she had her life together even if she didn't feel like it. The idea that she might find a potential candidate to take with her crossed her mind, even if it was just a funny thought. Who would be willing to meet her family after one date?

"You took long..." He stopped as he turned to face her. She raised her eyebrows, waiting for the rest of the sentence, but the words were lost. His mouth hung open in silence. He realized this and shook his head to clear it. "What is that?"

The words had come out more accusatory than what he was sure he meant.

Brows furrowed, she looked down and back up at him.

"Does it look bad?"

He almost laughed out loud. The idea that she could look bad looking like that was hilarious. He blinked at the thought, cursed himself for being rude, and smiled. He had to force it because something strange was happening to him. He hadn't been this befuddled since...well, honestly, never, not with a woman, and this made twice in one day. This wasn't a woman, though; this was Ainsley.