REFINED ROMANCE

I was impressed.

Chapter 7

1235 Word Update date:2023-08-11 10:15:18

Was the handsome .

So the entire process," Thomas took a seat next to the guys and faced Liam "of actually putting the magazine together. Everything needs your confirmation before it goes inside? Every advertisement, every page?"

Liam swallowed a small mouthful of beer and scrunched up his face. "Not quite." Choosing to rest the bottle onto the small table before him, I studied how gorgeous his hands were. "I have a team who collects bulk advertisements from companies who have contracts with Dazzle. On a monthly basis, work is sent in. And there is another team that assembles the best picked advertisements. Of course, I finalize the entire thing."

"So you can just flip through the final result, see an outfit you don't like and ask to change it," that was Peter.

"Yes." I couldn't stop staring at him eyelashes how they fluttered every single time he blinked. I just couldn't.

"What's the economy like for the magazine business?" Thomas leaned forward, obviously intrigued as he always was. In every class, asking the questions everyone was too shy to ask.

"For Dazzle, cyclical. Every season."

"Being the CEO must be pretty amazing," Thomas picked up his beer and took a mouthful. He swallowed. "Then again, a powerful man like you can obviously fill the chair with ease."

"Every frigging guy in the fashion industry is gay," Peter declared. He scoffed. "Every single one."

"I disagree," Liam said, "I know more than twenty men who aren't. Including my brother.

"So you're single then," obviously that was Peter because if there was a bold one among us, then that would be him. He smiled. "How could he let such a handsome man go?"

It was amazing. I was watching his face, watching every move and Liam a never even smiled. "I filed the divorce."

Neal smiled widely and fixated his eyes upon me. "Bet you hate all women now, don't you?"

He smartly chose to offer a small smile, eyes directed upon the New York scenery.

For most of the time, we listened to the guys debate on the economy as usual. Speaking of oil prices and the ridiculous college debts, the lack of the government's role in law making. Will also headed a conversation on unemployment and all the time, Liam just listened on without speaking. At certain times, they would try to involve him but he replied with short sentences that didn't provide much. Well, not enough for them to debate on further. So when the three of them formed a circle and a round table for arguing on politics, I was finally allowed to have him for myself.

I think I've told you numerous times before that he's smoking hot. So no more.

"How's the view?" it was a stupid question but that's all his eyes rested on.

I guess because something was finally said by me he turned to gaze into my eyes. But it was enough to melt me immediately.

"Breathtaking."

"So is mine," the gaze was held.

He blinked, "do you come up here often?" his voice was so husky.

"After work and yeah." I shrugged. "And on Wednesdays and Fridays when I have classes, we come up. It's a way for me to just breathe and let go."

I have other ways of...letting go," he said.

I smiled. "Drinking wine and throwing darts at a picture of your ex-wife ?"

"Yes," he hung his head and smiled. "I also binge on chocolates and soppy romance movies. Black and white ones."

My eyes widened. "You're seriously amazing." But catching myself, realizing that it was a little too much, my throat was cleared. "I mean," I waved a hand in front of me, "I love black and whites too. But horror ones. I also watch cat videos on YouTube. These compilations."

He bit his lips. I waited. "You're too cute."

My breath was held because I couldn't understand what that meant. Did he mean I was cute or the fact that I watched cat videos was a cute move?

"What's your story?" I was curious to know more, wondering how much more he would hand out to me if given the chance.

"Which chapter?" his lips were licked then bitten.

The guys began to argue louder but it's like they didn't exist anymore. It was just the two of us and especially when he turned slightly to face me, that was all it took. I felt my heart racing and knew that it was more than likely my big mouth would slip. Something would be said to hint to him what my true feelings were.

"Okay," this time, I hung my head just to avoid eye contact, "favorite TV personality. If you watch that much TV, that is."

"I'd have to admit that I don't get a lot of time to look at television. But if I was to choose one person then that would be Steve Harvey."

I was impressed. "He's also a powerful man like you. But in a different area."

"Even powerful men have their weaknesses, Sophie," he said with a bland expression. "Who's your choice?"

"Ellen DeGeneres."

He raised an eyebrow at me. "She is entertaining."

"But she's also open about who she is," I just couldn't put a lid on it. "And I like that. I like that she's not afraid to be who she is. She's bold and what everyone else says doesn't matter."

"Being an openly gay woman does have its challenges," Liam said and I looked up, studying his face intently. He wasn't looking at me but at the guys. "For her to embrace who she is, especially as a television personality. That's admirable. Not many women can gather that courage and face the truth."

Reading between the lines. Stop it, Sophie. I wanted to slap myself. "I guess if someone like you were gay, then you'd be open about it because after all, you've got courage and all that."

"Am not gay though, as I was previously married to a woman and have a kid .

"Of cause I was just saying generally ",

Our eyes met and I could not read him no matter how hard I tried. There was this look in those brown eyes that didn't give anything away. Nothing. So all that could be offered to rely on was words. His words. Nothing else.

"One might be surprised."

About what?" my eyes widened.

He smiled barely. "In regards to delving into courage and being severely open. Courage can also mean managing things internally. I find that boasting about one's self colors you as insecure. I gather you're composed enough to act quite modest in respect to yourself."

"I guess..."

"Perhaps a sketch of your character from my point of view seems oddly...intriguing. Although young you are quite...remarkable in managing things on your own. Great potential. And I detect a free spirit."

Words. By the time I managed to make sense of what was said, about a full minute had slipped by. You can laugh all you want. Laugh at me. But the thing is, people who speak like that, it's like reading a classic book probably written by Jane Austen. He sounded like a Darcy and my brain began to hurt after a few seconds. So I smiled. I loved Darcy. And if someone had me making this much effort on them, then he was totally worth it.