Page 66 of Emergency Engagement
“I have this philosophy I cling to when shit starts flying.”
“What’s that?”
“Things might just work out.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Savannah stood in the crowded gallery, smiling and nodding appreciatively as a prominent art critic held court for a handful of local collectors and discussed her work. Normally she loved the energy and buzz of a showing, but tonight the bustle of people and hum of conversation made it hard for her to concentrate on anything. Instead, her attention kept drifting to the milling guests.
Stop looking for him. Why would he come?
And yet she couldn’t prevent her eyes from searching the crowd. Midnight loomed, but the showcase remained in full swing. She’d sold several pieces, which meant she ought to be ecstatic. At least one aspect of her life was finally going according to plan.
The critic said something that coaxed a laugh out of the group of people around her. Savannah managed a lackluster chuckle that got lost in the noise of the room. A man in a suit entered the gallery, and her gaze snagged on him. A flare of recognition subsided into disappointment as their eyes locked. His lit up and familiar lips curved into a fast smile.
Mitch. Not the man from her past she’d been hoping to see tonight. Apparently her disappointment didn’t show, because he made his way over. She excused herself from the group and headed toward him, thinking to intercept him as close to the door as possible. He appeared to be alone, on New Year’s Eve, which seemed like an odd state for a newly engaged man.
“Hello, Savannah,” he said when he drew near enough to be heard. “It’s good to see you.”
He reached for her hands, but she kept them at her sides. “Mitch. What are you doing here?”
“I saw your name on a gallery mailing about the spotlight, and decided to stop by and congratulate you.”
“I would have thought you’d have other plans for New Year’s Eve. With your fiancée.”
A pained frown momentarily marred his handsome face. “She, uh…turned me down.”
Ah. Now the reason for his presence became clearer. “Sorry to hear that. Don’t worry. I’m sure the right girl will come along.”
“I was thinking maybe she had, and I failed to recognize her. I mean, look at you. You’ve scored a showing with a premier gallery. I heard they’re offering to represent you. You’re back on track. I think we’d make a great couple—a successful lawyer and a successful artist. Unconventional, but in an interesting way.”
Wow. The right connections and suddenly she’d been upgraded to marriage material. “I don’t know, Mitch. I think I may still be too unconventional for you.”
He took the statement as a challenge and smiled his confident lawyer smile. “Try me.”
“I’m pregnant.”
The smile disappeared. He paled and backed up a step. “That’s impossible. You were on the pill, and we always used a condom.”
Jeez.“It’s not yours.”
“Oh.” For a moment she thought he might pass out from relief, but he pulled himself together. “Okay, well, then—” He trailed off awkwardly. “I guess you’re involved with someone else.”
“Guess again.” Now she was just being mean, but some wicked part of her wanted to watch him squirm out of this hole he’d dug for himself with his version of a romantic,When Harry Met SallyNew Year’s Eve grand gesture. She stepped closer to him,crowding him a bit. “Still up for being part of an unconventional, yet interesting couple?”
“We should take some time to think this through. I mean, it’s New Year’s Eve, and we…I…got swept up in the excitement, but—”
“Relax, Mitch. I’m not interested. Nothing’s changed for me. If anything, this baby cemented everything I always believed about love. I’m not after a relationship that makes sense on paper, or one that qualifies as unconventional, yet interesting. I want a soul mate, partner, and friend. I want a man who loves me for who I am, as I am. Who appreciates my strengths, and accepts my weaknesses…and…and…”
Oh my God.
She’d failed her own test. Beau had scars—weak points in his otherwise formidable strength. He’d shared them with her right from the start, and she’d claimed to understand, but when they got right down to it, she hadn’t accepted him scars and all. She’d rejected his love as too damaged, and demanded he fix it. He’d asked her to stay, but she’d walked away because he hadn’t been able to ignore his fears and paste a smile on his face. She needed to find him, talk to him, right now.
“I have to go,” she mumbled, already in motion, fighting her way through the shifting kaleidoscope of shapes and colors to find the exit. She had it in view when the door opened and a man walked in.
Savannah skidded to a halt and let her greedy eyes feast on Beau for a moment while he scanned the room. For her?
He still wore his uniform, and stood out in rugged contrast to the polished suits and dresses surrounding him. He held something in his hands. People parted to let him through, all the while looking around to see who needed his attention.
