Chapter Seven: A Slip, a Catch, and a Heart

Rosa dragged her feet along the hall, her heels feeling like torture devices after a long day. Her boss, Nate, was a real pain. She couldn’t tell if he just disliked her for no reason or if she’d tortured him in her past life and this was payback.

She hated events like charity fundraisers. The room was filled with fake smiles and silent competition about who was richer, more influential, or more popular. The forced greetings and small talk wore her out, but she had to play along for Valtara’s sake.

As she walked closer, she spotted Nate near the entrance, looking as composed as ever. He wore a perfectly tailored dark suit that showed off his athletic build, broad shoulders, and trim waist. His black hair was neatly styled, and his cool blue eyes were sharp, catching everything around him. There was no denying he was handsome, the kind of guy who drew attention the moment he walked into a room.

But for Rosa, his good looks were hard to appreciate when she remembered how much he overworked her. The attraction was there, sure, but it was mixed with the frustration she felt every time he piled more onto her plate.

Tonight, she was dressed to impress too. Her burgundy dress fit her well, with a neckline that was just daring enough and a slit that gave her some relief from the tightness of her heels. The shoes looked great but felt awful, and she couldn’t wait to get out of them.

As Nate’s plus-one, her job was to help make connections and represent the company. But as she watched him smile and charm the guests, she felt a wave of irritation. He was so good at this, making it all look easy, while she was just trying to keep up.

Nate caught her eye and gave her a nod, his smile softening a bit when he saw her. Something fluttered inside her—maybe a bit of attraction, maybe a bit of annoyance, probably both. She forced a smile and walked up to him.

“Ready to work the room?” Nate asked, his voice smooth and confident.

Rosa faked a grin, her feet still aching. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

They moved through the crowd together, looking like a polished pair among the elites, but all Rosa could think about was how much she disliked these events—and how frustratingly attractive Nate was, even when he drove her crazy.

Or maybe Kat was right? Maybe he liked her or was it that she liked him?

Rosa could barely feel her legs anymore. The heels she’d been wearing all day were torture, each step sending a sharp pain through her sore feet. Her toes felt cramped, and the back of her feet throbbed with every movement. Even her calves were burning, making it almost unbearable to keep going.

She forced a smile as Nate greeted another couple, the usual pleasantries exchanged. Rosa tried to stay focused, but the dull ache in her legs was impossible to ignore. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, hoping to find some relief, but it only made things worse.

“Are you okay?” Nate’s voice cut through her thoughts, and she looked up to see genuine concern in his eyes.

“Yeah,” Rosa lied, biting back the pain. She didn’t want to seem weak, especially not here.

Nate didn’t seem convinced. He gently took her hand, his touch warm and reassuring. “We can take a seat if you want.”

Rosa hesitated, glancing around the room. They still had a few more people to meet. “Nah, I’m fine,” she said, trying to sound upbeat. “Just three more people to meet. I’ll be fine.”

But as she walked behind him, she couldn’t help dragging her feet, each step feeling heavier than the last. She kept telling herself she just needed to make it through the next hour, but it felt like an eternity.

Nate slowed his pace, clearly aware of her discomfort. His concern for her made her feel both grateful and frustrated. She didn’t want to hold him back, but she was reaching her limit.

Rosa tried to focus on the task at hand, but the exhaustion was too much. She just wanted to sit down, kick off her heels, and forget about the fundraiser altogether.

One more step, and Rosa felt like she had hit her breaking point. Everything seemed to blur together. Was the room spinning, or was it just her? She couldn’t tell. It felt like the world was collapsing around her, and for a second, she thought she might faint.

Rosa felt her legs give way, the exhaustion from wearing those heels finally catching up with her. It was like everything around her was collapsing, or maybe she was the one falling? Her thoughts spun in confusion.

People were staring at her. She could feel their eyes on her, and the awkwardness gnawed at her nerves. Panic flashed through her mind — had the slit in her dress torn?

Was she naked?

Oh fuck, why did I even wear this dress? Her thoughts were racing.

But that wasn’t it. It wasn’t her dress, and it wasn’t her imagination.

She was actually falling.

Before she could fully process what was happening, strong arms wrapped around her, stopping her descent. Nate had caught her. Her breath hitched as she looked up, their eyes locking. For a brief moment, everything else faded away. The room, the people, the noise—all of it disappeared, leaving just the two of them.

Rosa's heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing in her ears. She could hardly breathe as she realized how close he was. His face was just inches from hers, and for a moment, everything else faded away.

She hadn't noticed him this closely before.

Nate's breathtaking handsomeness was impossible to ignore. His blue eyes were intense, framed by thick, dark lashes that any woman would envy. Up close, his jawline looked even sharper, and his smooth black hair was perfectly styled, giving him an effortlessly suave look. The scent of his cologne—a mix of something fresh and slightly musky—washed over her, making her momentarily forget how much she hated him for overworking her.

For a split second, Rosa felt her cheeks flush. Was this a romantic moment? It sure felt like one. She could almost laugh at the absurdity of it—just a few minutes ago, she was cursing his name, and now her heart was racing like a schoolgirl’s.

But then, as quickly as it came, the moment passed. She remembered where they were, and the rush of emotions started to fade. Rosa pulled herself together, trying to mask the flutter in her chest with a light laugh.

Rosa’s cheeks flushed a deep red as he swept her off her feet, sending a quick rush of warmth through her. Nate’s hold was firm yet gentle, his concern evident as he steadied her.

"You okay?" he asked softly, his voice filled with worry.

"Well, at least I didn’t hit the floor," she joked, but the lingering warmth in her cheeks betrayed her attempt at casualness.

Rosa nodded quickly after, though her heart was still racing from the fall—and maybe something more.

Her vision blurred as every word sounded like mumbles.

“Rosa!”