8 The Encounter

She could hear her brain screaming at her in desperation. “Stop staring Sarah! Stop! Stop it! Get it together!!!” It felt like an eternity before Sarah looked away, they had not said a word to each other and the air was charged, electric. But before long, she had managed to snap out of it, neutralize her expression, and simply continue where he’d left off, “Welcome Mr. Wilkins. Becca! Please use the staff elevator and personally see to it that Mr. Wilkins reaches Everly’s suite.” The entire time, she had the fakest smile plastered on her face and both she and Zane knew that she was just pretending to be pleasant. He surprisingly didn’t try to comment on it, and looked on with an amused expression. As Becca came to escort him, all he did was nod at her with a smile and left with one simple phrase. “ I will see you up there Ms. Stone.” Her thoughts were racing, as they tended to these days, but this time it was different. This man infuriated her, there was this condescending air to him that bothered her to no end, and she didn’t like the way it made her feel when he called her ‘darling’. Plus why did he talk to her as if they knew each other or something? Is she forgetting something? While all of this might be super annoying, there was no denying the way her breath hitched and her heart sped up when she looked at him. Tan skin, black unruly curls, and that tailored black suit…… one really couldn’t blame her for how her body reacted. She was running on autopilot for the rest of the time as guests flooded in, she was zoned out for the most part. An hour later, 95% of the guests had been let in and it was time for the couple's entrance. She sent Becca upstairs to make sure everything was in order and that the DJ was ready with the entrance song while she made her way to the suite to call the couple and their families. She knocked on the suite’s door, and of course, since the universe just loves her so much, he was the one who opened the door. “Hello Mr. Wilkins, can I please come in?” she asked in her most professional, people-pleasing voice, her hands clasped together in front of her. “Please do Ms. Stone,” he said as he stepped aside with a bow. “You know, you never told me how you liked my changes.” He said as Sarah stepped inside and he closed the door. She turned to look at him and all she noticed was that he had the most dangerous smile she had ever seen. She felt her heart drop as she took in his dimples, this time though, she didn’t stare, thank God for small mercies. Although her brain did go blank, they ended up just standing in the hallway with very little distance between them. As he continued to smile at her, she blinked at him trying to string together a few words. Perhaps the heavens above couldn’t bear to see the awkward scene play out and before Sarah decided to crawl in a corner and die, Everly came around the corner. “Oh Sarah you’re here! Is it time for the entrance?” Sarah took the chance to get some room between her and Zane and made her way over to Everly. “Yes, everything is ready upstairs, most of the guests have arrived and settled, and the DJ is on standby,” she reported. After that, a frenzy of activity started around her. People rushed around the room to put on the last touches and then slowly they all made their way out of the room. Everly had a whole dance number planned for the entrance with cousins and friends from both sides. It would be a lie to say that Sarah was not increasingly aware of Zane’s presence in her surroundings, particularly right behind her during that elevator ride. She could feel his gaze on her and she couldn’t lie and say that she hated it. However once they reached the roof, things took a pause as she slipped away to check on everything else, it was one thing after another, first it was getting everything in order for the ceremony, after that she had to get the drinks and appetizers out while simultaneously preparing everything for dinner. It was only after the dinner was over that she managed to relax and retreat to a corner of the roof to look at the festivities from afar. She was sipping on wine when he finally slid into the seat beside her. “I have a feeling you aren’t fond of me.” he declared matter of factly. “Hmmmm.. I wonder where you got that idea, Mr. Wilkins.” she retorted, playfully rolling her eyes. “I really don’t know what I have done to gain this unwarranted aggression.” he hmphed, crossing his arms like an upset child. “Umm let’s start with the fact that you changed the entire theme only days before the event?” she said turning to look at him with raised brows. He looked at her shocked before speaking up “But look how gorgeous it turned out! I am a genius.” he declared, spreading his hands out towards the rest of the roof. She shook her head before making a move to get up “Oh I think I should check on the cake.” She hadn’t even taken a step away before his hand circled around her wrist. “Okay, I am sorry I am sorry, we started on the wrong foot. Let’s start again?” Not waiting for her to say anything else, his hand released her wrist, leaving a burning imprint behind. He offered his hand for a handshake as he spoke up “ Hello, I am Zane Wilkins, the bride's slightly stubborn brother. And you are?” she eyed him skeptically for a second before shaking his hand. “ Sarah Stone, the event manager.” His smile widened and those dimples came out to play with Sarah’s heart again. With her hand still clasped in his, he slightly bowed before speaking up “Well, will the beautiful Sarah Stone spare me a dance?” he questioned, looking up at her. It was then that she felt that perhaps she now knew what they meant when people said dancing eyes. So, taken by his twinkling eyes, she playfully rolled her eyes and let him take her to the dance floor. This felt weird, this felt exciting and in that moment….her mind was mute. Like she had turned off the voice of reason.