24 1/2 Kisses (A Bashir Family Romance) Read Online Free PDF

space, maybe a sea of fifty or a hundred guests—all eager to see him —and separating the two of us from each other.
    From my vantage point in the corner of the room, I watched him meander through his throngs of admirers, shaking his hand, patting his back, giving him their best smiles from the best sides of their faces—his employees, associates, and the wealthiest and most admired of New York society. And I also noticed more than a few long-legged, carefully coiffed vixens stand up straighter, arching their backs slightly, so to better present their own particular goods to the Brad Pitt of the banking world.
    He was taller than most men in the room and dressed impeccably in a perfectly-tailored charcoal gray suit, his hair slicked back in dark waves, and his face—the same handsome lines and strong bone structure I knew so well—was slightly older; I detected a new line or two around his eyes when he smiled, but on him, it only added an aura of sophistication.
    I watched him work the room like a pro, giving each person what they perceived to be his undivided attention and then skillfully segueing into the next conversation with someone else. He was a pro.
    Then he saw me.
    Like being hit by two dark darts, his eyes shot through the crowd and landed on mine. In an instant, I was overwhelmed.
    I can’t do this.
    I tore myself away from his heavy gaze and quickly extricated myself from James or John or whatever his name was. I found Eric peering out the window at the back of the room—probably wishing he was scaling a mountain somewhere in Colorado instead of wearing a stuffy suit.
    “I decided I’m not doing the story, Eric. I’ll just go back to Seattle. Can we go—like, right now?”
    He looked a little taken back. I suppose he thought I was spineless.
    “Don’t be intimidated by these people, Scarlett. Just imagine them naked. That’s what I do…with the exception of that bald fat guy in the blue suit.” He smiled as he rubbed my arm in consolation. “It’s just a few questions. You can do it.”
    I couldn’t see Dev, but I could feel him coming for me. My body startle to tingle and my hair stand on edge—like just before you get hit by lightening.
    “I need some air. I’ll be right back.”
    I took a deep breath, feeling like I would soon hyperventilate, and walked away trying to find an exit or a corner or somewhere to hide. I discovered a long hallway that dead-ended in front of an ornately framed gilded mirror hanging over a massive arrangement of blood red tulips. Cell phone in hand, I punched in my editor’s number with a plan to get out of the interview.
    As I walked quickly down the hallway, my black high heels clicking on the white marble, the call went to his voice mail.
    “Bill, this is Scarlett. I don’t think I can do this. I’m…I’m really sick. And, uh, it feels serious. So…I have to go home and rest. Sorry.”
    As I replaced the phone in my black purse, I heard footsteps behind me.
    I knew that sure gait, that confident footfall.
    Dev.
    I froze, forcing my gaze on the vase of fresh red tulips. I didn’t dare look up into the mirror lest I see him emerging behind me; like Dracula trapping his latest victim, I knew the terror of his image would overtake me.
    “Scarlett.”
    I didn’t realize until that moment how much I missed how he said my name, with his slight English accent. He was standing so close to my back, I could almost feel his breath on my neck.
    Pull yourself together, Scarlett.
    I bit my lower lip hard hoping to gain some courage, and then whipped around, forcing my shoulders back, my chin up, and painting the widest grin on my face I could manage given my current state of terror. I was a professional after all.
    “Dev, hi. How are you?”
    I extended my hand.
    He didn’t take it. He just stared at me with an intensity that made me feel naked…like I suddenly needed to cover up.
    I pulled my hand back. If it was possible, he had become even more handsome and