Free Come Together by Jessica Hawkins Page A

us?”
    “Certainly,” he said, rolling his eyes behind her back. I was aware the two weren’t particularly friendly – something to do with Brian turning down Gretchen’s advances – but it surprised me that they still weren’t over it.
    “How’s it going?” Gretchen whispered once she had me alone.
    Bill’s e-mail was fresh in my thoughts, but it was easy to refocus my attention on my day with David. “Sort of amazing,” I gushed with a big smile.
    “You look fucking amazing. You’re, like, glowing in this dress. Tell me everything.”
    “You might flip out,” I said.
    “Tell me.”
    “He took me shopping and pretty much bought out the whole store.”
    “Shut up. Who?”
    “The dress is Versace,” I said, waving a hand over myself. “But there was Prada, Chloé, McQueen – just come over, and I’ll show you everything.”
    She made a noise from the back of her throat and closed one eye as if to brace herself. “Shoes, too?”
    “Yep.”
    “Please tell me the sex is bad.”
    “We haven’t done it yet as a couple. He wants to wait until we get back tonight so it’s special or something.”
    “Oh, God,” Gretchen said as her eyes rolled up into her head. “He’s perfect.”
    “What’s that?” Greg asked, handing her a drink.
    “You. You’re perfect, sweetie,” Gretchen said, pecking him on the lips.
    “Where’s David?” Greg asked.
    “We came in separately because of the photographers. I’m sure he’s circulating.”
    “I’m going to check in with work,” Gretchen said, leaving us at the bar.
    “How are you?” Greg asked, rubbing my back. “Gretchen told me everything.”
    “All things considered, I could be a lot worse. How about you? Work it all out with Gretchen?”
    “Hope so, Livvy. I told her that once we’re more settled, I want us to move in together.”
    “How does that make you feel?”
    “Great,” he said, exhaling audibly.
    “It’s okay to be nervous about that, Greg.”
    “I’m not.”
    “All right, just don’t make promises you can’t keep,” I warned.
    “Greg.” I heard David’s deep voice just as his arm rested across my shoulders. He stuck out his other hand to shake Greg’s hand.
    “Hey, man,” Greg said, grinning. “Welcome to the family.”
    David was also grinning, but it was directed down at me. “Right,” he said. His hand slid under my hair, lifted it and let it fall onto my back. “I missed you out there. Next time I want you by my side.”
    He repeated the motion, and his touch felt so nice, so reassuring, that I closed my eyes and nodded. “Next time, yes.”
    I felt his next words near my ear. “You have any idea how incredible you look in that dress? Every man in here is drooling over you.”
    I opened my eyes and smiled slyly. “They are not.”
    “They are.”
    “If they were, would it bother you?” I asked.
    “Not so long as they keep their distance.”
    I gave him a teasing smile, but he didn’t seem to think it was funny. He continued playing with my hair until we were interrupted by a client of his from the New York project. David kept me close with an arm around my shoulders as they chatted.
    I looked around for Gretchen or Greg, who had disappeared at some point. When I didn’t see either of them, I turned my attention back and joined the conversation David was now having with multiple people. The wives in the group couldn’t tear their eyes from him, but neither could I. As he relayed details about the development of the hotel, most of which was over my head, I admired his easy confidence. It took a great deal of effort not to stop him for an impromptu make out session, or at least place a kiss on his square jaw.
    While we made our way around the party, I was no longer walking by his side; I was floating. He never lost contact with me, either holding my hand, my shoulders or touching my hair. When women inevitably flirted with him, I linked my arm around his waist, and he answered by squeezing me