Page 137 of Yellow
Adam
I saw Chloe the minute she walked through the doors to the elegant foyer with the beautiful chandeliers hanging from above. I stood in the background and watched the whole theater buzz with excitement the moment her ride pulled up; the journalists were all lined up outside to get her picture and her fans shouting for autographs.
I’ve never met a royal in my life but Chloe’s arrival made me think of one. She looked regal in the way she walked and held her head high. Her snobbish British accent was worthy of a queen and she looked perfect, of course, in a dress that would make any virile man drool.
From a distance I watched the circus of Chloe and Faith walking into the large theater to sit in the first row, where seats had been reserved for them and Logan.
Onava had reserved a seat for me next to Chloe, but I had spotted that before they arrived and swapped my name with someone on the other side of the aisle. Onava couldn’t possibly know how awkward it would have been for us to sit together.
When everyone was seated I walked up onstage and took the microphone, nervous as hell because I knew Chloe was watching me.
“My name is Adam Black and I’m part of the Pride in Being Native Foundation. We’re very honored to have so many of you join us tonight to bring attention to one of the biggest issues that our community is facing. We never thought we could attract so many or fill a theater like this. So thank you to the nine hundred and sixty-five of you who bought a ticket tonight.” I paused and looked down at the script I’d written.
“As you know, alcohol and drug abuse is causing tremendous suffering among the addicts themselves, but also to the people who love them, their children in particular.
“I know, because I used to be one of those children growing up with an alcoholic parent.” I paused and took a second. “What you see behind me are the sad statistics of abuse and its devastating effects on our community.”
A slide was projected showing data about poverty, homelessness, unemployment, and suicide rates.
“Traditional treatments have been tried for decades without much effect, and only recently have we found a way that shows promising results.
“I’m proud to introduce my mentor, Onava, who is not only a tireless advocate for our community, but also a fierce protector of the environment. You may know her from some of the six books she’s written or the many seminars she teaches around the country. But if not, you’ll get a unique chance tonight to learn why hundreds of thousands of people around the world call her one of the wisest and most inspirational people alive. Please welcome Onava.”
Applause broke out and when Onava came smiling toward me, I gave her a hug and handed her the microphone before I hurried off the stage. Not once did I look in Chloe’s direction.
Get a fucking grip,I scolded myself.She’s going to know I’m still hung up on her if I can’t even look at her. How hard can it be to just act cool and approach her as if I’m completely over her?
?∞?
Chloe
He’s completely over me, I concluded as I saw Adam standing on the stage without as much as a single glance in my direction.
My heart was hammering and I was deeply grateful that I didn’t have to make a speech, because I would have sounded out of breath with that jackhammer pulse Adam caused in me.
The first time I saw Adam in that bar last year, he had made me shy and flustered, and the whole scene had been awkward from beginning to end.
Seeing him today was a flashback to that night. He looked hot in his dark suit and white shirt tight enough to reveal his broad shoulders and defined chest muscles. God, he was a sight, and my nostrils flared in a deep intake of air, as I closed my eyes to reduce the effect Adam’s good looks had on me.
I didn’t want to think about his dark eyes that I knew radiated such confidence and strength. During our time together, he had looked at me with everything from disdain to desire, and I was afraid I was going to meet his eyes and find complete disinterest. That would hurt more than anything.
Slowly I opened my eyes again and of course, all I could see was him and his sexy full lips, defined jawline, thick long black hair, and delicious caramel-colored skin. Officially I was dating one of the hottest men in Hollywood, but I would pick a man like Adam over Liam any day.
Liam and I had been officially dating since Valentine’s Day, and in those two months we had talked over dinner and while driving to and from our houses, and yet he hardly knew who I was. He asked me about my connections and my opinion about other celebrities, and he was good at making our dates look romantic, but he never asked me about my childhood dreams or what I would do if I weren’t an actor.
Adam had asked me all sorts of crazy questions that had made me reflect upon myself. And he had remembered my answers and followed up with more interesting questions, as if he genuinely wanted to get to know me. Not Cleo, but me!
He didn’t look comfortable in the spotlight, but he had a strong masculine presence in the room that made me feel molten from my waist down.
I couldn’t take my eyes off him, but not once did he look at me.
He’s completely disinterested,I concluded and squeezed my hands into fists in my lap.
A little thank-you for the money would have been nice. Or a “Sorry I ditched you like that.”
Who the hell does he think he is?
How dare he ignore me like that?
