He Thought I Loved Him, I Only Loved His Face Chapter 14

He Thought I Loved Him, I Only Loved His Face Chapter 14

Maya stumbled back from the sudden blast, hand flying to her belly on instinct.

Nora stood there grinning. Maya shot her a look.

Colleagues surrounded her. Friendly faces. Maya pulled on a polite smile, a little stiff at the edges.

Nora didn’t notice. She grabbed Maya’s arm and dragged her through introductions.

“These are the project team members. This is Avery. Brielle. Kennedy.”

Maya greeted each one. Fluent. Warm. She made a solid impression fast.

When they reached Dawson Reed, both of them froze.

“What? You two know each other?” Nora teased. “Or did you have an airport meet-cute?”

“No,” Maya said, shooting Nora a warning glare.

Dawson’s voice carried a hint of wounded pride.

“We crossed paths twice at the airport. I wanted to say hello. But I think Maya had me pegged as a threat.”

He looked straight at her.

Maya flushed with embarrassment.

“You’re Dawson Reed? Nora mentioned you. I genuinely didn’t recognize you.”

“So do we officially know each other now?”

Dawson extended his hand first.

“Of course.”

Maya took it.

His hand was cool. When he clasped hers, she felt a strange, unexpected flutter.

“You two definitely have a story.” Nora winked at Maya and walked off with her drink. “You two chat.”

Maya had no choice but to stay.

Eventually, someone pulled Dawson away to dance. Maya grabbed her chance and retreated.

The first few minutes were awkward. Then the music filled the room. People talked. Danced. Laughed. She felt herself unwinding, the weight on her chest easing bit by bit.

But she was still tired. She set down her untouched champagne and slipped out to the balcony.

The night breeze was perfect. Calm. Steadying.

Footsteps approached behind her. Slow.

“What are you doing out here alone? Nora’s looking for you.”

Dawson handed her a glass of juice.

Maya started to refuse, then noticed it was room temperature. She paused, surprised.

“Thank you.”

“I saw you weren’t drinking alcohol. Figured maybe it wasn’t convenient. So I got you juice.”

“Thank you. Mr. Reed.”

Maya silently noted his attentiveness. It didn’t match Nora’s description.

Nora said Dawson was cold. Unapproachable. Demanded perfection. Everyone around him was terrified.

Maya had thought that sounded like an excellent professional standard. She kept that opinion to herself, given Nora’s aggrieved expression at the time.

The juice loosened something between them. They fell into conversation about her design drafts.

Dawson was genuinely impressed. He offered a few concrete suggestions.

Maya’s eyes lit up. The conversation flowed effortlessly.

Before the party ended, Nora called everyone for a group photo.

The two from the balcony got pushed to the front.

Dawson stood beside Maya. He smiled. Rare.