The Last-Minute Date

Sarah checks her watch again, silently begging it to be wrong.

He’s not late.
Not this time.
He can’t be.

He knew how much tonight meant to her—her biggest career moment yet. She was giving a speech, for God’s sake. Months of sleepless nights, migraines, blisters, and busted heels had led her here.

She couldn’t wait any longer for her soon-to-be ex-boyfriend. Not this time. This was too important to her.

“You’re late. Again. I’m done waiting for you. Don’t bother showing up—I’m done.”
She leaves the voicemail with an eyeroll and a heavy heart.
The car the company sent comes to a still in front of the hotel. A young man opens the door and helps her from the vehicle. Her stunningly long, tan legs shakily touch the ground. She stands, her Vera Wang falls elegantly over her Louboutins as the door slams closed behind her.

Sarah takes a long, deep, cleansing breath as she moves quickly through the hotel toward the event. She hadn’t thought she’d be alone tonight. If that bastard had just admitted he didn’t want to come instead of standing me up, she would have at least had Fabian come. At least his fruity ass would have given her the confidence in herself to be the center of attention.

She should be used to the spotlight by now. Her job demanded it—networking events, industry parties, always performing. That sultry laugh, those amber eyes, and a smile that could weaken the knees of even the most faithful man.
She stops cold in her tracks. The mahogany doors tower over her, shrinking her to the floor under the pressure.

“Alone again, huh?” The masculine voice behind her makes her heart jump out of her throat.

The voice belongs to her department manager, Ryan. He’s young for a manager, but he busted ass to get to his position. He’s tall, handsome, and oh-so charming.
He keeps to himself at work, not going out of his way to make friends—or enemies. He does exactly what is expected of him. Attending only mandatory events, keeping conversations steered toward work and work-related topics, and hiding away in his office with a neutral frown on his face.

Sarah is fascinated by her boss. He’s everything she admires in a co-worker. She loves how closely she gets to work with him, being his second in command. They may not talk about much besides work, but she admires him for that.

Sometimes, she wonders what he’s like when he’s at home. When the lights are dim and there’s no one around, what is he doing? Is he just as boring? Eating a plain dinner in front of the television before going off to bed. Or is his life more interesting than that? Does he get home from work and change into his riding leathers before hopping on his sports bike and speeding through the city? Does he stop off at his favorite dive bar, filling up on beer and peanuts until closing time?
These are the things she thinks about most when she watches him from her desk. Is he handsome? Sure. But part of her wished she knew more.

“Yeah…” Her voice is shaky as she replies, keeping her head down in embarrassment.
It wasn’t the first time she arrived at an event alone after RSVPing a plus one. And this time wasn’t any less embarrassing.

“Come on.” Ryan sticks out his elbow for her to grab, and her heart skips a beat.
She takes the offering hesitantly as the doors open before them. The room roars with the cacophony of conversation and then quiets down almost instantly as the two enter the crowd together, their shoulders bouncing off each other with each step.

Her chest tightens when a blindingly white light shines upon them. A disembodied voice says something she honestly didn’t listen to— her heart was pounding too loudly in her ears.

When the room resumes its usual myriad of noise, her shoulders finally relax. “Thank you.” She gives a weak smile as Ryan pulls her chair out for her.

“Relax. You’ll be going up soon, and we don’t want you messing up this very important speech you’ve prepared.” He gives her a cheeky wink, and her skin prickles under his gaze. He’d never acted this way before, but honestly, it was refreshing. It takes her mind off her ex and gives her the extra wind she needs to go up on stage.

When her introduction concludes, she saunters onto the stage and pulls her note cards out of her handbag. She takes a deep breath and pulls that signature toothy grin over her lips. “Thank you, everyone, for this opportunity…”

Her speech goes swimmingly with minimal stuttering. The room erupts in a standing ovation, and the heaviness of the evening floats off her shoulders. Ryan approaches the stage steps, and she takes his hand as he helps her down.

Ryan approaches the stage and offers his hand. She accepts, her heart still hammering.

His grin is wide, eyes sparkling.

As the next speaker takes the mic, Sarah feels the brush of his lips on her cheek.
“I’m proud of you,” he whispers.

And just like that, the night feels a little less lonely.

©️T.L. Ryan 2025. All rights reserved.