Unveiling Love

Chapter Eight

I barely slept at all Thursday night, so when Friday morning finally rolled around, I was tired, grumpy, anxious, excited, and in serious need of sleep. Which was the exact thing I refused to do on the way there! 

I was dressed, packed, and waiting on the front porch when Sandro pulled out of his garage and drove over to pick me up. He waved at Ivy, who was very obviously standing in the window, watching us. All I could do was stare at his truck. It had to be well over thirty years old. 

I put my bags in the back with his and climbed into the passenger's side. "Are you sure this thing is going to make it to New Mexico?" I asked. 

"Absolutely," he said with conviction. "I take care of my vehicles, so there's nothing to worry about."

"I wasn't doubting that you take care of things, but I mean, this thing looks older than I am!"

"That's because it is," he said stiffly. What he didn't have to say, but what I heard in the silence anyway, was, "Just like me."

"Can you tell me anything about the event we're working at?" I asked to try to get rid of the tension. 

"The job is for Calvin Greenworth."

"From CG Corp?" I asked, shocked. 

"You've heard of him?"

"Who hasn't? He's one of the youngest billionaires in the world!"

"Right. Well, all day today he's holding a charity auction where he's going to triple the funds raised for a Feed the World project, followed by dinner. I have to be there at three o'clock and you'll need to be there at six-thirty."

"That seems late."

"It's the way these things go sometimes."

"It's at the hotel?"  I asked, suddenly worried about how I'd get there without him.

"They have a conference hall big enough to seat an entire football stadium, so it works out for Mr. Greenworth to host it all in the same place. Plus, he can call in however people he needs to staff this event and they'll all have a place to stay for the night."

"Successful, handsome, and kind?" 

Sandro's head swiveled in my direction, allowing me to catch the annoyed expression before he clenched his teeth. 

"What?" I asked. 

"Nothing," he answered. I hid my smile behind my hand. I had a feeling he was jealous and the thought made me so happy I could have cried. 

"This'll be good for me," I said, deciding to see how far I could push him. "I haven't been out on a date in almost a year."

"What's that supposed to mean?" he demanded.

"Maybe I'll meet someone."

"No, you won't. You're going there to work, not act like a child."

My eyes widened but I was still smiling inside. "Whatever you say."

Sandro let out what sounded like a growl. I screamed as he swerved across the lanes on the highway and came to a screeching halt on the shoulder. He opened his door and got out, slamming it shut behind him. I watched as he walked behind the vehicle and ran his hands through his hair. He stood there for a few minutes, hands resting on top of his head, as he looked up at the sky. 

"What the heck just happened? I asked the empty truck.