Chapter 342
Chapter 348
Madison
We circulated through the room, stopping occasionally to chat with colleagues I knew. Everyone seemed surprised by my appearance, their double takes both flattering and slightly embarrassing,
“Have you seen the birthday boy?” asked Tim from Accounting, his eyes lingering a bit too long on my neckline
“Not yet,” I replied, subtly adjusting my posture to block his view. “Is he here p>
“Haven’t seen him,” Tim shrugged. “Rumor has it he’s making a grand entrance later p>
After extracting ourselves from Tim’s increasingly obvious ogling, Hazel and I found a relatively quiet spot near a massive ice sculpture of the Knight Industries logo.
“No sign of Alexander,” Hazel observed, finishing her champagne. “Think he’s avoiding his own party p>
“Maybe he’s getting ready,” I suggested, checking the time on my phone. It was nearly nine. “Or dealing with some last–minute crisis p>
“Or making out with Katherine in a supply closet,” Hazel muttered.
I shot her a withering look. “Not helpful p>
“Sorry,” she grimaced. “Filter malfunction. Need more champagne to recalibrate p>
She flagged down a passing server, exchanging our empty glasses for full ones.
“Madison Harper,” a familiar voice called from behind me. “I almost didn’t recognize you p>
I turned to find Anthony Williams approaching, looking dapper in a tailored tuxedo.
“Dr. Williams,” I smiled genuinely. “It’s good to see you p>
‘Anthony, please,” he insisted, kissing my cheek in greeting. “We’re well past formalities, especially after everything with your mother p>
“Anthony,” I amended. “This is my friend Hazel Foster p>
“Enchanted,” Anthony said, taking Hazel’s hand, pressing a kiss to her knuckles with old–world charm that made her giggle.
“Are you a doctor–doctor or a Ph.D. doctor?” Hazel asked, clearly intrigued.
“Medical doctor,” he clarified, amused.
“Fancy,” Hazel nodded approvingly.
Anthony turned back to me. “How is your mother doing p>
“She’s doing well,” I affirmed, touched by his sincere concern.
1/3
“Excellent news.” His expression shifted to something more mischievous. “And speaking of Alexander, he’s going to lose his mind when he sees you in that dress p>
I blushed, taking a sip of champagne to hide my reaction. “I doubt he’ll notice what I’m wearing. ”
Anthony laughed outright. “Madison, I’ve known Alexander since childhood. Trust me, he’ll notice. ”
“Where is he, anyway?” Hazel asked, looking around. “Isn’t this supposed to be his party p>
“Fashionably late to his own celebration,” Anthony explained. “It’s tradition. His father started it years ago. The guest of honor arrives once everyone else is settled in p>
“Dramatic,” Hazel commented.
“The Knights have always had a flair for the theatrical,” Anthony agreed with a wink. “Just wait until you see Alexander’s entrance. It’s usually quite the spectacle p>
A server passed with a tray of hors d’oeuvres, and Anthony snagged one with practiced ease. “Ladies, if you’ll excuse me, I see a colleague I need to catch. Madison, save me a dance later p>
“I don’t dance,” I protested.
“Everyone dances at Knight events,” he replied with a cryptic smile. “Trust me p>
As Anthony disappeared into the crowd, Hazel nudged me with her elbow. “He’s cute p>
“Stop it,” I muttered, taking another sip of champagne.
“What? I’m just saying, if Alexander is being an idiot, there are other fish in the sea. Speaking of which…” Hazel pulled out her phone, tapping quickly. “You should send Alexander a message p>
“What? No p>
“Just a little something to let him know you’re here. Looking amazing. Without him p>
I shook my head firmly. “Absolutely not. There’s nothing between us now. We’re just boss and employee p>
“Boss and employee,” Hazel repeated skeptically.
“I’m serious,” I insisted, smoothing nonexistent wrinkles from my dress.
“God, he’s such an asshole,” Hazel declared, downing the rest of her champagne. “Losing you was the dumbest thing he’s ever done. And I bet he’s done a lot of dumb things p>
I didn’t respond, my eyes scanning the room for any sign of Alexander’s arrival. The string quartet had stopped playing, which seemed significant.
“Hey, where’s Jackson?” I asked, eager to change the subject. “Wasn’t he supposed to meet us here p>
Hazel checked her phone. “He texted that he’s running late. Work stuff. Said he’ll be here in a few minutes.” She waggled her eyebrows suggestively. “Probably wanted to make an entrance when Alexander is here to see you two together p>
2/3
“It’s not like that,” I protested, thoup
“Friends who went to dinner alone, Friends who text each other constantly,” Hazel smirked. “Those kinds of friends? ”
“Stop,” I warned, but couldn’t help smiling. “He’s nice, that’s all p>
“Nice?” Hazel rolled her eyes dramatically. “Madison, men aren’t ‘nice‘ unless they want something. And based on how he looked at you during coffee, what he wants is pretty obvious p>
I glanced around, lowering my voice. “Can we not discuss this in the middle of Alexander’s birthday party p>
“Fine, but this conversation isn’t over.” Hazel waggled her finger at me. “Just temporarily postponed until I get another drink p>
I laughed, shaking my head at her persistence. “You never change p>
“Why would I? I’m perfect.” She straightened her red dress with theatrical flair.
My eyes drifted to the entrance, scanning the constant flow of arrivals. There was still no sign of Alexander or Jackson. The champagne bubbled pleasantly in my system, making me feel lighter than I had in weeks.
“Looking for someone?” Hazel nudged my side. “Ten bucks says Jackson will walk in looking like he stepped out of a magazine.” Hazel took another sip of champagne. “Men always dress better when they’re trying to impress someone p>
“He’s not trying to impress me.” I adjusted my dress, suddenly self–conscious. “We’re just friends p>
“Right, and I’m just casually wearing a dress that costs half my rent.” She snorted. “And where’s the birthday boy? Fashionably late is one thing, but this is getting ridiculous p>
I glanced at my watch. “Anthony said it’s tradition p>
A ripple of movement near the entrance caught my attention. My heart jumped, but it was just another group executives arriving.
of
“Do you think Jackson will actually come?” I asked, surprising myself with how much I cared about the answer.
“Why wouldn’t he p>
I hesitated. “I just… I don’t know what I was thinking inviting him to this. For him, or for me p>
Hazel laid a reassuring hand on my arm. “You deserve to be around people who actually see how amazing you are. Besides,” she added with a wicked grin, “maybe it’ll give Alexander the nudge he desperately needs p>
I managed a small smile, scanning the entrance as another couple arrived. Would Jackson feel out of place here? Would Alexander even care enough to feel jealous if he saw Jackson with me?
3/3
“It’s not like that,” I protested, though not as firmly as I should have. “Jackson and I are just friends.
“Friends who went to dinner alone. Friends who text each other constantly.” Hazel smirked. “Those kinds of friends p>
“Stop,” I warned, but couldn’t help smiling. “He’s nice, that’s all p>
“Nice?” Hazel rolled her eyes dramatically. “Madison, men aren’t ‘nice‘ unless they want something. And based on how he looked at you during coffee, what he wants is pretty obvious p>
I glanced around, lowering my voice. “Can we not discuss this in the middle of Alexander’s birthday party p>
“Fine, but this conversation isn’t over.” Hazel waggled her finger at me. “Just temporarily postponed until I get another drink p>
I laughed, shaking my head at her persistence. “You never change p>
“Why would I? I’m perfect.” She straightened her red dress with theatrical flair.
My eyes drifted to the entrance, scanning the constant flow of arrivals. There was still no sign of Alexander or Jackson. The champagne bubbled pleasantly in my system, making me feel lighter than I had in weeks.
“Looking for someone?” Hazel nudged my side. “Ten bucks says Jackson will walk in looking like he stepped out of a magazine.” Hazel took another sip of champagne. “Men always dress better when they’re trying to impress someone p>
“He’s not trying to impress me.” I adjusted my dress, suddenly self–conscious. “We’re just friends p>
“Right, and I’m just casually wearing a dress that costs half my rent.” She snorted. “And where’s the birthday boy? Fashionably late is one thing, but this is getting ridiculous p>
I glanced at my watch. “Anthony said it’s tradition p>
A ripple of movement near the entrance caught my attention. My heart jumped, but it was just another group of executives arriving.
“Do you think Jackson will actually come?” I asked, surprising myself with how much I cared about the answer.
“Why wouldn’t he p>
I hesitated. “I just… I don’t know what I was thinking inviting him to this. For him, or for me p>
Hazel laid a reassuring hand on my arm. “You deserve to be around people who actually see how amazing you are. Besides,” she added with a wicked grin, “maybe it’ll give Alexander the nudge he desperately needs p>
I managed a small smile, scanning the entrance as another couple arrived. Would Jackson feel out of place here? Would Alexander even care enough to feel jealous if he saw Jackson with me?
3/3
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.