Page 35 of Enchanted Hero
“No, it’s not.” He cupped her cheek. “Perhaps one day I can make up for it.”
She closed her eyes, shook her head. Opened them to the increasing danger that was Alexander Stone. The orchestra finished the song, then announced they’d be taking a short break. As festival organizers took the stage, one of them signaled Alexander.
He nodded. “I have to address the crowd.”
If she assumed he’d let her go, she should’ve remembered the man he was. He never released her as they approached the stage, as the audience watched them with curious smiles. “I think people might be getting the wrong idea,” she whispered.
“And what idea is that?”
“That you and I are…” She cleared her throat. “You know.” He was going to make her say it. “They may think you and I are… hey, wait.” They were no longer approaching the stage, they wereascendingit. “What are you doing?”
“Giving a speech.”
“If you haven’t noticed, you’re taking me along.”
“I noticed.”
Yet clearly he didn’t care as they reached the top of the stairs. The people examined them even closer now, their attention lingering on her and Alexander’s joined hands. Expressions reflected pleasure and excitement, surprise and, most of all, jealousy.
“What are you doing?” she hissed.
“Isn’t this what you wanted?”
“For you to drag me around like a caveman? No!”
His lips quirked up at the sides. “First, I’m the Big, Bad Wolf, and now I’m a caveman. I’m not sure whether it’s an improvement or not. In any case, I’m talking about publicity. Don’t you want exposure for New Age Treasures?”
“For New Age Treasures, yes. For me, no.”
He led her to the podium. “Consumers view you as one and the same. Believe me, a little exposure is good.”
She briefly considered leaping off the stage when he released her, but if she broke a limb, Alexander was likely to scoop her up and never put her down. Instead, she glared as he boomed into the microphone, “Welcome ladies and gentlemen.”
The crowd applauded, and Alexander launched into his speech. As all scrutiny turned to him, taut muscles relaxed, and her anxiety lessened. He spoke with passion and grace, focusing not on himself, but on the audience and their lives. The enraptured crowd remained silent during the entire ten-minute speech, which finished to loud applause. This time she was ready when he returned his attention to her. She held her hands away from him.
He raised an eyebrow, then placed a hand on the small of her back. She started, yet couldn’t get away as they descended into the voluminous crowd already forming. This time they noticed her as well. “Who is this lovely lady?” The mayor, a portly man with shiny teeth and an even shiner head grinned. Betty Stevens, a reporter from a leading local news channel, held out a recorder.
Everleigh opened her mouth to answer, but Alexander spoke first, “This is Everleigh Lacey, founder of New Age Treasures, a holistic company that sells unique and wonderous products. You’ll be hearing a lot more about them in the coming months.”
Everleigh smiled, as the heaviness in her chest eased. That was exactly the type of introduction she’d expected – professional, poised and rational.
“She’s also my date.”
Why that little–
Had Alexander Stone actually called her his date? Not business partner, not colleague, butdate? “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” The mayor shook her hand, as the reporter studied her like a specimen at a high school biology class.
“How long have you been together?” she asked.
“We’re not together!” Everleigh swiftly rebutted. “I mean, not together together.”
The reporter pushed the recorder closer. “Did you come with Mr. Stone?”
Well…“Yes.”
“Doesn’t that kind of make you together? Together together?”
“I say yes,” the mayor interjected. The group chuckled.
