them exactly the same. He gained everyone’s respect by being the first one in the morning and one of the last to leave at night. This wasn’t a drop-in case to him. He cared, and that made all the difference.
But it was him as a man that truly haunted her.
She watched him now, his hand unconsciously funneling through his thick hair, suit slightly rumpled, tie a bit askew. He spoke on the phone, his deep voice vibrating with authority. When he caught her staring, he shot her a lopsided grin, acknowledging her presence in a familiar way that had always charmed her. He’d always managed to make her feel seen, even when he was involved in another task.
Owen treated her like a priority. She’d dated many men who sprinkled attention like gifts, as if she’d been blessed to command their full focus. But Chloe had never been comfortable with playing games like hard-to-get. She craved a deep connection within relationships, and though she was able to excel in the role of happy socialite, flitting from crowd to crowd with ease, there wasn’t true fulfillment.
Unfortunately, it was another thing she worried about with Drew.
During their phone conversations, he seemed more focused on shallow subjects rather than her inner passions. Then again, maybe it was too short of a time to judge him. They were still figuring each other out. She planned to attend his financial dinner tomorrow night, so hopefully they’d either grow closer or she’d have to make a hard decision.
Because she couldn’t stop thinking about Owen and the kiss.
The office line rang, and she grabbed it, relieved for the distraction. “Advocates for Animals.”
“Chloe? It’s Viv. I need a favor.”
She frowned. “You sound terrible, are you sick?”
A round of coughing echoed over the phone. “Hell, yes. I got the crud so I’m bed bound. Is Owen there?”
“Yeah. Can I come over and help? Bring you soup? Who’s helping?”
“No, don’t worry, I got my sister being my bitch right now.” Chloe heard a faint curse in the background, then a weak laugh. “Let’s just say I’m gaining some revenge while she picks up my used tissues. Listen, I need you to take my place at the Sidewalk Angels party tonight. Bring Owen.”
She shook her head, thoughts battering together. She’d been looking forward to an evening to catch up on some rest with a pizza delivery box and some serious Netflix bingeing. Now she’d be squeezing into heels, a bra, and dealing with her confusing feelings for her ex. “I can handle it, Viv. Probably no reason to bother Owen—he’s only involved with legal, right?”
“That’s exactly why I need his presence. Can you put him on speaker?”
Chloe glanced over and found him watching her, head cocked from overhearing his name mentioned. He’d hung up from his phone call. “Need me?”
She swallowed and nodded. “Yeah, Viv needs you to come with me to a function for Sidewalk Angels tonight. Here, she wants to talk to you.” Chloe hit the button.
“Owen! I need you to save my life tonight. I’m stuck in bed, looking like death, and I need you to go with Chloe to this function. I know you’re just a loaner from the Animal Defense Fund, but you’d be doing me a favor. I heard there’s going to be some big sponsors and donors who want to help us fight more legal cases. Having you by Chloe’s side to answer questions, charm them, and show we really care about prosecuting the bastards—not just saving the animals—is important.”
“Sure, Vivian, I can attend tonight. Is it formal dress?”
“Cocktail appropriate, so a suit and tie is all you need. Thanks for saving my ass. You, too, Chloe.”
“No problem,” Chloe said. “Send me the invite with the deets.”
“Done. Air hugs—talk later.”
Viv hung up.
Chloe swiveled her head around. Owen stared back with a gleam of pleasure in his eyes, even as his lips twitched. “Guess I get another date.”
She blew out a breath and tried not to smile back. This upcoming weekend was turning out to be more work than she’d intended—and with two different men. “It’s a business function,” she corrected. “No kissing.”
Oh, God. She shouldn’t have said it. Her skin turned warm, and she watched his gaze narrow with interest, satisfaction carving out the lines of his face. “Glad to know you can’t get it out of your mind, either,” he murmured.
“I can’t! I mean, I can. Stop trying to distract me. We have a ton to do before we have to leave.”
“You mentioned the