An alarm pings on my phone, reminding me I need to leave for the event I’m scheduled to attend in twenty minutes if I want to make it on time. I need to make it on time; the man I’m accompanying is giving a welcome speech at a gala along with a nice donation to charity.

Grabbing the long garment bag hanging on the back of my door, I head into the bathroom and lock the door behind me. I peel off my business attire and unhook my bra, letting it fall to floor. Shimmying the emerald green dress I’m wearing down my body, I attempt to zip it up. It stops halfway, snagging on an unidentifiable roadblock. I bend and twist my arms and shoulders awkwardly, attempting to become a contortionist and fix the problem I’ve caused. I’m not coordinated enough to be successful, but I don’t have time to fix it.

My phone buzzes on the counter and I pick it up, seeing my P.I. has texted me.

Shelia: Wanted to follow up about the potential inquiry you sent my way.

Shelia: I read all the info he provided, and everything checked out.

Shelia: I’m not going to lie, he sounds like a real catch!

Shelia: Nothing to worry about with this one!

I grin, excited to hear the positive news about JD. Next up will be sending him an official email tomorrow with the good news. Taking one last look at myself in the mirror, I grab my things off the counter and hurry back toward my office. Distracted while looking at my phone, my path gets halted by running headfirst into a firm barrier in the middle of the hallway. I bounce back, almost stumbling to the floor.

A large hand reaches out, catching me under my upper arm and preventing an inevitable face-plant into the carpet. A jolt of electricity whooshes up my spine with the touch, and I let out a gasp of surprise. It starts in my lower back, creeping up stealthily until it reaches my neck, causing me to burn, a heat encompassing every inch of my skin.

Steadying myself, I pull away, breaking the physical contact and the overwhelming pleasantness washing over me.

“Emma? What are you still doing here?”

I blink, looking up to find Henry staring at me, a perplexed expression on his face. His eyebrows furrow and the corner of his mouth turns down, something akin to a frown taking over the spot of his usual grin.

I open and close my mouth, mimicking a blubbering fish, unable to vocalize a coherent string of words while my heart rate speeds up, spiking as I glance at his hand hovering in the air, the apparent hero saving me from tripping over the hem of my dress.

Henry… touched me.

And it felt… incredible.

Swallowing thickly, I realize I haven’t answered him yet. “I’m, uh, leaving. Right now. Yes. Leaving.”