One thing Will had enjoyed when Dominic’s family came to visit them. Dominic was the oldest and his baby sister followed them around. Will, never having had a younger sister, found her charming. If Alisha thought Dominic needed to change things, she was probably right.
“In other words, the town thinks you’re stuck-up.” It couldn’t have been further than the truth, but Will understood how Dominic might give the wrong impression. Maybe if his frat brother showed off more of his tattoos, the people would find him down-to-earth. “So, which one did you sponsor?”
“The winner, Miss Restoration, as in Crowne’s Restoration.”
Will raked his hands over his head. Blood pounded in his ears. “I didn’t even put two and two together.”
Dominic’s girl had won; meanwhile, his lost. Jesus, what had he done?
* * *
From Zoe’s vantage point on the stage she watched Will and his best friend shake hands. She tried to focus on the girls wanting to take a picture with her, but her mind was spinning. If what she’d overheard was true, she’d just lost her opportunity for the position she most desired. Titus, clearly knowing what was at stake, hugged his winning contestant and gave Zoe a smug wink. Through it all, Zoe kept a smile on her face. She had to. Everyone kept asking for a photograph.
With each picture her mind wandered. How did this happen? She had no Plan B. After the last of the girls and their mothers finished taking pictures, a man dressed in a suit approached her. She’d seen him before. There was something familiar about him. His features were very Ravens-esque and then it hit her. This was Charles, whom she’d spied on through the weeping willow leaves.
“Miss Baldwin,” the man said, with his hand outstretched. “Allow me to introduce myself.”
The badge around his neck already told her who he was. “Mr. Ravens.”
“Charles Ravens,” he replied. “We haven’t had the pleasure to meet.”
“No, we haven’t.” Zoe tried. She wanted to be friendly, but this man’s vendetta against his cousin had cost her a job. Her dream job.
“I’ve been a fan of yours for a while now.” Charles held on to Zoe’s hand for a few seconds too long.
Zoe pulled her arm back and shoved her hands into the front of her smock. She fiddled with the tube of lipstick from the beauty box. Her downfall. Maybe she should have used it like Titus had.
“I wanted to come over here and let you know that we at Ravens Cosmetics appreciate you applying to our company and we’ll keep your name on file,” Charles went on.
“That’s kind of you.” Zoe glanced over at Will. Electricity jolted her body when their eyes locked. He stopped his conversation with Dominic and made his way toward her, not caring who he bumped into. “I appreciate the opportunity.”
What else was she supposed to say? What else was she supposed to do? Fall on the ground like one of the younger contestants who hadn’t gotten the trophy she wanted? The redeeming factor in all of this was Will. Her heart swelled with…love. Love? The room spun. How had this happened? It was too fast, right? She couldn’t believe it. All the noise around her ceased. The only thing she heard was the beating of her heart…the beating of her heart and Will’s footsteps as he neared her. She needed to tell him. She loved him.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” Will reached Zoe with arms outstretched. He took hold of her forearm, then wrapped her against his frame.
Zoe blinked him into focus. “Not at all.”
Charles’s eyes darted toward the tender touch. His lips pressed together and Zoe was sure he hmmed under his breath. “I was telling Miss Baldwin about her wonderful work and how we’ll keep her résumé on file.”
The grip around her waist tightened and Will cleared his throat. He wasn’t letting her go. “Once again, thanks, Charles, for doing my job for me.”
“Well, you were busy with your frat brother. Ah, here he comes now.”
In the brief moment when Charles lifted his head above Will’s shoulder, Will leaned over. “Zoe, I need to explain something.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Swallowing past the lump in her throat, Zoe shrugged her shoulders. “I second-guessed myself and Titus was better today when it counted.”