The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 176

"There's potential," Charley replied.

"Really?" Lavinia looked at him, thinking to herself that Jocelyn was clearly in love with him.

"After the concert the other night, I think she finally understood where I stand. Jocelyn isn't the type to obsess over a lost cause," Charley explained.

He paused for a moment. "Besides, when we all had dinner together, I could tell she had a pretty good impression of Saul."

The thought of Saul finally breaking his lifelong single streak made Lavinia excited. "Let's go back and see how they're doing."

Charley caught her wrist. "Let's sit out here for half an hour first."

Lavinia realized he was right. If she, the ultimate third wheel, went back, they'd probably clam up.

She sat back down.

The two of them sat side by side on the bench in the pavilion, quietly gazing at the moonlit bridge and the flowing water.

They didn't force a conversation, just letting the words flow naturally whenever a thought popped up.

Lavinia found the feeling incredibly strange but wonderful. The familiarity and easy chemistry made it feel as though she had known him for years.

***

Back in the venue, Garnett was suffocating. There was an endless stream of people to schmooze.

Normally, he didn't mind navigating the social politics of these events, but tonight, a restless, burning irritation clawed at his chest.

He had lost sight of Lavinia half an hour ago.

His eyes kept scanning the crowd, intentionally or otherwise. He spotted Saul chatting with Lavinia's boss, but there was no sign of Lavinia or Charley.

Without realizing it, Garnett started walking toward the exit. Sigrid quickly grabbed his arm. "Garnett, the award ceremony is about to start. Where are you going?"

"I'm going outside for a smoke."

Before Sigrid could try to stop him, a female CEO walked over to greet them. "Ms. Sloan, you look absolutely stunning tonight. Isn't that the set you wore for the magazine shoot?"

"Work has just been so overwhelming, I haven't had time to pick anything else out. I just threw this on," Sigrid replied with a modest smile.

"Your family is spread all over the world."

"A lot of big international families are like that."

Listening to their exchange, Garnett's jaw clamped tight.

What was this? Running a background check? Planning the wedding already?

"Is Mrs. Harper planning her next marriage?" Garnett demanded coldly.

Lavinia and Charley both froze. They turned their heads simultaneously, looking at him with mild indifference.

Perhaps her inner savage had fully awakened, because Lavinia shot back instinctively, "Of course I'm getting remarried after the divorce. Did you expect me to act like your widow?"

Garnett's face darkened instantly.

Charley's eyes flickered. He looked at Lavinia's side profile, noticing how her normally heavy, shadowed eyes suddenly looked remarkably bright.