Page 29 of Don't Remind Me
They were different from my usual anxiety nerves. Less of an unrelenting squeeze of my ribs and more of a restlessness, like a hamster running wild on its wheel beneath my sternum.
Almost like excitement.
To go to an art gallery, which I hadn’t done since leaving Chicago four years ago.
To potentially land a one-of-a-kind piece to include in the gala’s silent auction. Something that would make our event stand apart from the dozens of other fundraisers these donors likely attended, all offering some version of a spa package or a weekend getaway at a nice hotel.
To get a little dressed up and explore more of the city I’d lived in for six months and still barely knew.
To have fun like I did last night. To let my guard down a little and laugh, enjoy someone else’s company.
Jase’s company.
I liked Jase’s company.
He was confident like Alec in a way that put others at ease, but Jase’s was more of a quiet confidence. This bubble that slipped around you and lifted you up, bolstering you as it floated around the room. He never made me feel like I had to keep up, like I’d get left behind if I couldn’t match the energy in the room or the pace of the conversation. There was no competitive edge, no display to present. He was just there as himself, making space for others to do the same.
I’d never expected it to be that way with him, especially after the disastrous start to our acquaintance. What I’d thought would be us gritting our teeth through the awkwardness long enough to get done what we needed to had become something almost like a friendship. One I found myself hoping I wouldn’t have to give up once the symposium was over.
That was the thought I held on to as I got ready for the night.
I gave myself an hour, spending a little extra time curling my hair and applying a touch more makeup than usual. I tugged on a light pair of jeans and a strapless bodice, tying it together with a belt and sandals.
Nice, but still casual. This was technically a work meeting, after all, so I wanted to look presentable. But not like I was trying too hard.
Not like I thought this was a date.
I knew it wasn’t. Sure, Jase and I could be friends, but more than that was…ridiculous wasn’t a strong enough word. The only reason my heart was pounding was because I was eager to finalize the silent auction. And the only reason my palms were sweating was I’d started walking to the gallery Jase had texted me the address for, which turned out to only be a ten-minute walk from my apartment, and it was still hot out, the evening sun hanging low in the sky.
I was a block away when I spotted him. He leaned beneath the gallery sign, one heel propped on the wall behind him while he looked down at his phone. He wore dark jeans and a white button-down shirt, untucked, sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
My mouth went dry as I soaked him in. I always seemed to forget how attractive he was until he stood in front of me, making every cell of my body hum. It was like he was too much for my brain to process. Even the way he leaned was sexy—careless in his confidence as he waited like he had all the time in the world. And he’d waited for me to go in.
Alec wouldn’t have done that.
The thought struck me with a jolt so hard I nearly stumbled. Alec would have gone inside and talked with his friend, assuming I’d meet him in there. It wasn’t something about Alec that had bothered me when we dated, but in comparison, this was everything.
I didn’t have to linger outside and wait for him to respond to my text. Or wander inside by myself without knowing if he was there yet. Or worry about making my own awkward introduction to his friend if he wasn’t. There was nothing to overthink or second-guess. It loosened a layer of tension in my muscles as I approached.
“Hey,” I said.
Jase lifted his head and froze. His eyes tracked their way from the top of my head down to my feet and back up again until they landed on my face, his gaze like a physical touch that scorched my skin and sent my pulse racing. When his stare connected with mine, it was nearly too much to hold, his eyes churning waves of blue intense enough to drown in.
I almost wanted to.
He pushed away from the wall and cleared his throat. “Hey.” His deep tone sent a shiver across my collarbone and tugged at my core. “You look nice.”
I adjusted the strap of my purse on my shoulder and tried to calm the pounding of my heart. “Thanks. You too.”
He grabbed the handle to the gallery and pulled, holding the door open for me. “After you.”
I stepped inside, catching the subtle spice of his scent as I passed. I fought the urge to close my eyes and breathe deep.
A blast of cool air hit me, raising bumps along my arms as I continued into the space, and the moment I did, color flooded my vision.
The gallery was one large room that extended to the back wall of the building with ceilings so high it felt like they weren’t there. The floors were a polished wood, the walls simple white, but lining each of them were the most beautiful oil paintings, all in a similar style, probably done by a single artist. Additional paintings were displayed on dividers hung throughout the room.
I took it in with wide eyes until Jase placed his hand on my lower back, drawing all my attention to that point of contact and the warmth of his palm through my top. He guided me with gentle pressure toward a reception desk in the front corner.
