Undoubtedly Yours

Chapter 4

Hope

Oh god! Why is this happening? Why, out of all the people in the world, why did it end up being him? Why did I not listen to Katie and just Google his pictures? I am asking myself all these questions as I pack my bag to head out. Mr. Charles didn't really give me an option when he decided I was going for dinner. It sucks that I cannot say no since I am leading this project. Everyone knows, when a client is this huge, you do what it takes. It is not something new, which is why I silently accepted my fate and asked about the restaurant where we are meeting. When Dean asked if I wanted to go with them, I almost yelled NO, but keeping my cool, I told him I will drive since I have my car before exiting the room.

He must know I don't want to go to this dinner. He could always sense what I was thinking, which is both amazing and annoying at the same time. I wonder if it is still the same. He knows this project is important for NEXT ON and I bet he knew Mr. Charles would agree to his request. I don't know what he thinks of this situation. He probably wants to punish me for hurting him. But, he did look happy to see me or maybe it was just my imagination. I am so confused about everything. My mind is spinning with all these thoughts when I see Katie walking towards my office with my laptop and files. "Here you go. I will put them away after I finish in the conference room. You don't have to worry about it. You were amazing and I am glad that I got to work with you. I promise I will do my best to help Mr. Spencer handle your workload."

"I am sure you will. Thank you Katie, you did amazingly well too and so did Josh. The only reason we are here now is because we worked together as a team. I am happy to have you guys. If you have any questions or anything for me, I can go over that with you guys tomorrow." I tell her while I close my iPad case. She smiles and nods at me. Wishing her good night, I walk towards the elevator to this dreaded dinner meeting. I know he is in the parking lot, and the thought of meeting him without Mr. Charles and Scott around gives me a funny feeling. Some would say it feels like butterflies, but I ignore it and press the button for the parking lot.

As soon as I step out of the elevator, my eyes find him. He has always left the female population craving his attention. He is the hottest guy I have ever known and, if possible, he has become even more dashing in the last four years. I somehow always knew he would look amazing in a suit. The way he carries himself has become so much more refined in the years that have passed. He looks over at the same time as I see him and those butterflies come rushing back. Pretending to look in my purse for my car keys to avoid eye contact, I start walking towards my car, which is parked right across from his car. Great!

I hear someone calling my name. Taking a deep breath, I look up to see Mark waving at me. Smiling, I wave back and start walking towards them. The funny feeling in my tummy is back with a vengence. As soon as I get close enough, Mark pulls me into a bear hug, surprising me. "Oh my god! Hope, I can't believe it's you. I am so sorry I did not recognize you before. I feel so dumb. Anyways, how have you been?" He releases me but is still holding my shoulders and I can't help but smile at his enthusiasm. "You have nothing to be sorry about. I have been doing well. How are you? How's Sarah? You guys still together, right?

"Hell yeah! We actually got married. You think I would have let her go. She is too good for me and I feel lucky she chose to stay with me willingly, otherwise I would have had to kidnap her and lock her somewhere until she said yes." He says while trying to open something on his phone. He hands me the phone with his wedding pictures and I can't help but smile at how happy they both look. "You guys look adorable. She is as stunning as ever. Please say hello to her from my side." I tell him, handing him his phone back. I try to keep my eyes on Mark as we talk about their wedding, but I feel eyes on me the whole time.

"Good to know that you didn't loose your memory." Dean says chuckling while looking at me. Although he says it as a joke, I know the truth. He has every right to be bitter towards me. If I wasn't a coward, I would have actually said something to him before I left, but I was too heartbroken to talk to him. I look at him and I see the pain lurking in his eyes. "Yeah, thank God for that. It is really good to see you Dean. Good to see you making a big name out there. Congratulations!" I tell him sincerely, hoping it is enough to somehow make it less awkward.

For a second I think he is going to just snap, but I am beyond shocked when he comes close and bends down to kiss my cheek. "It is really good to see you too.", he says in a soft voice. I look at him and he just smirks and then winks at me shocking me even more. My mouth turns dry and I am unable to say anything. Mark, bless his soul, comes to the rescue and says, "Let's go guys. I am starving. Hope, you are still good to follow us, right?" I nod at Mark and tell them I will meet them there. I walk towards my car and as I go to sit in the car I look over and he is still looking at me with that stupid smirk on his face.

As we all drive towards the restaurant, I realize that this project is more crucial for me than it is for my career. Dean's actions have confused the heck out of me. He seemed like he was angry, but then suddenly he was kissing my cheek and smirking at me. I am so out of it, because I don't know what to expect anymore. I thought he will be mean and would not leave any chance to hurt me but this Dean, this mature Dean, is throwing me off. I don't really know how I am going to work for him.

My head is spinning with everything that has happened today as I reach the restaurant. Grabbing my purse and iPad, I get out of the car and lock it. When I turn I see Dean getting out of his car but I don't see Mark anywhere. s**t. I hope he is still around. Praying silently, I walk towards him. As I get close enough, I ask, "Hey! Are we waiting for Mark?" He looks at me and shaking his head he says, "Sarah called while we were on the way. Her mom met with an accident and he had to go. It's just you and me."

Oh god! Kill me now.This is not good. Dinner with both of them was fine, but dinner with him, alone, is, I don't even know what it is anymore. "Oh! I hope everything is okay." I say thinking about Sarah and Mark. "Yeah." He does this every time he is thinking something. His answers turn into single words. "Shall we? Or would you rather not go?" he asks raising one eyebrow. Jerk. He knows this will get to me. Well, I have never been one to back down. "Well, if you don't know what you need without Mark, then I would rather not waste any time.", I challenge.

I don't know what I am expecting, but it is certainly not what happens next. He invades my space and puts an arm around my waist and jerks me forward towards himself, pressing our chests together. A gasp escapes me at the sudden movement and before I can react he bends to whisper in my ear. "I know exactly what I want and I will make sure I get it. Question is, will you be able to handle it this time?" He gently blows at my ear, causing my whole body to jerk with shock. I put my hand on his chest to try to put some distance between us. He looks at my hand and then looks at me with fire in his eyes and I know one thing for sure. WRONG f*****g MOVE.