Chapter 25 The passing executives gave me knowing smiles . " Good morning , Mrs. Holcomb , " they greeted respectfully . " Good morning ," I responded with warm professionalism . Tracy's face fell . Pressing her lips into a thin line , she hurried toward the conference room . Just as I reached my office , Jared emerged from his . His brows furrowed at my outfit - that familiar disapproval flashing across his face . I ignored him. After last night , I had every right to be cold . " I'm heading to a meeting ," he said , still making time to ask , " Want to do lunch later ? " I barely glanced back . " No , thanks . I'm having lunch with Melissa ." Jared wasn't accustomed to rejection , and my constant refusals clearly irritated him , though he could do little about it . " Fine , " Jared said curtly before walking away . I spent the morning handing over duties to the hotel managers , and then met Melissa for an early lunch at eleven . Melissa kept eyeing every attractive guy in the place , desperately seeking that storybook - perfect romance . I understood her panic , but kept advising patience . " Victoria ," she fretted , " I'm 28 now , two years older than you . You've got a six - year - old daughter , while I've never even held hands . Seriously , what's kissing like ? " I nearly choked on my coffee . Why was she asking me of all people about kissing ? " Bland and forgettable , " I remarked , lifting my cup . Just as I finished speaking , a deep male laugh came from the table behind me . I turned to see a man in a black shirt casually drinking coffee , looking like he was waiting for someone . My pulse jumped - that was the same man Lloyd had fallen all over himself to impress at the reunion . What was he doing here ? Melissa spotted him too . " Damn , he's hot , " she mouthed at me . I couldn't tell if he was laughing at me or at some private thought . Right then , another good - looking guy walked in and joined him . " Hot guys always travel in packs , " Melissa whispered . " Just like us gorgeous girls ." I choked back a laugh at her ridiculous self - praise . My laughter must have caught his attention . He turned and fixed me with an intense stare . Our eyes locked by accident , sending a strange flutter through my chest , like the first note of my favorite song catching me off guard . 1/3 Chapter 25 Melissa was playing the delicate eater today - tiny bites , perfect posture . No question she'd noticed one of the guys behind us . Too bad she couldn't work up the nerve to talk to him . When Melissa nudged me to intervene , I shook my head . " I'm retired from men , " I said . " If you want him , go get him . " Melissa got that my failed marriage had turned me off men completely . But she - never having been with anyone - still clung to her romantic fantasies . The challenge was getting his digits . I excused myself to the restroom , settling the bill on the way . Coming out , I nearly collided with someone , sending their phone clattering to the floor . That sickening crack hit me first . I grabbed the phone , stomach dropping at the spiderwebbed screen . " Damn it , " I hissed . A deep voice above me said , " Don't worry . My fault for dropping it . " I knew that voice . Looking up , I found myself staring at our mystery guy from earlier - now glasses - less and unfairly attractive . " I'm Nathan Hallman , " he said unexpectedly . I paused - I hadn't asked his name . He held my gaze with those piercing eyes after saying his name , waiting . " Let me pay for your cracked screen , " I said , focusing more on making things right . " That's not necessary , " he said quietly . " I'll take care of it ." " Yes , it is , " I said , turning back toward our table . A moment later , I pressed all the cash I had - about a thousand dollars - into his hand . " For a new one . " He'd been waiting silently in the hallway . When I gave him the money , he caught my hand instead . " I'm Nathan . " I stared at him . " You already told me that ." His expression fell . " Victoria , don't you recognize me ? I'm the one you helped with 250 thousand for university ." My eyes widened as realization dawned . " That was you ? " Nathan nodded . " That's me . " I remembered that night - his luxury Mercedes - Benz and the way Lloyd had groveled . He didn't look like someone who couldn't afford school . As I hesitated , he pressed the one thousand back into my palm . " You've done enough . It's just a cracked screen . I'll handle it . " I stared at the cash , then at him . " So you're the one who reached out to the charity about having lunch with me ? " Nathan ducked his head with a laugh . When he looked up , pink tinted his ears . " Yes . " " Had I known you were this hot , I might've said yes , " I teased , enjoying how his blush deepened . " Seriously ? " His voice dropped . " Let me take you out tonight . " 9/2 Chapter 25 " Just kidding . Your success is reward enough . " I smiled before adding , " But do you have a card ? " He quickly pulled a business card from his trouser pocket and handed it to me . I glanced at the card and smiled . " My friend is really interested in you . You two should get together sometime . " Nathan just stared at me without a word . As I turned to leave , Nathan suddenly grabbed my wrist . " I'm not interested in your friend , " he said , his voice tense . His bluntness caught me off guard . His gaze darkened as he looked at me . " It's you I'm interested in . " My breath hitched as I realized this joke had gone too far . I pulled my arm back gently . " You'll be disappointed then . I'm married . " I automatically lifted my hand to show my wedding ring , but then remembered I'd removed it days earlier . Nathan's expression turned grim . " I know Jared's your husband , " he said hoarsely . " But word is your marriage isn't exactly thriving . "