The warning flare transformed into full-blown alarm. Nothing good ever started with the phrase “Now that we’re alone.”

“I really should get back to the gallery,” I interrupted, taking a step toward the door.

“Just a second,” he said, catching me by the arm.

I looked uneasily at his hand. It was resting lightly on my forearm, an ostensibly friendly touch, and yet it felt vaguely threatening. Lecherous Larry. I shook his hand off me.

“Not now, Lawrence.”

“I need to talk to you about something,” he continued as though I hadn’t spoken, still making extreme eye contact. I fervently wished we weren’t alone in this space, out of earshot from everyone else.

“Later,” I said firmly. “I’m busy right now.”

“Come on, Audrey,” he said softly, reaching out to touch my hair. “Let’s stop dancing around the obvious. I’ve seen the way you look at me.”

“Excuse me?” I recoiled, wincing in pain as some strands tangled in his fingers and were yanked free from my scalp.

“There’s no point in denying it,” he said, closing the short distance between us and breathing heavily on my face.

“I haven’t been looking at you like anything,” I snapped, rubbing the sore spot on my head and taking a step backward. Annoyed, I added, “Except maybe with ridicule because that bow tie looks like some sort of bad joke.”

His expression flickered through irritation, anger, and finally settled into amusement. “I’ve always liked that you’re not afraid to say what’s on your mind.”

“This conversation is over,” I said, and moved to step around him. He shifted his body to block mine, and even though he wasn’t a particularly large man, the motion forced me backward. I stumbled, surprised when my shoulders hit the wall behind me.

I’m literally cornered, I thought. A glimmer of fear ran through me before it gave way to anger. There was no way I was letting some grabby jerk ruin one of the most important nights of my career.

“Back off!” I ordered, planting my hands on his tangerine-colored shirt and shoving him away from me.

Lawrence recovered quickly, laughing as he grabbed my bare upper arms tightly. “Come on, Audrey—”

I jerked my arms from his grasp and brandished my cell phone. “Don’t touch me again or I stream this live.”

He smiled playfully as though this was all one big joke. “Audrey—”

“I’m serious,” I said. “Get out of my way, or I go live in three … two …”

His grin faded and he straightened his bow tie. “What’s gotten into you? I was just messing around.”

“Ha ha,” I said sarcastically before stomping around him and out the door.

I WAS STILL trembling with anger as I pushed my way through the crowded gallery, searching for Cat. Sequins scratched at my bare arms and I caught elbows to my collarbone, but I pressed on, muttering apologies as I stepped on people’s feet. I needed Cat. Where was she? For the ten millionth time in my life, I wished I were just a few inches taller so I would have a better vantage point.