Chapter Fourty Six

"Hello," she said in a cheerful voice. "I'm so sorry I'm a bit late. Hope I didn't miss much"

"Oh not at all" Evan replied and gave her a hug, "You didn't miss much. I'm just glad you could make it. And oh, look who's here too... It's Bryce Collins. Timothy introduced us to each other after the last meeting we had"

"That's great. I'm glad you guys finally met each other" Chloe replied and smiled at Bryce who returned her smile and gave her one of his bear hugs.Chloe squealed as he finally let her go. "Hey watch it," she said to him. "You don't want to ruin my dress before the party begins, do you?"

Bryce chuckled. "Of course I don't," he said. "You know I'm glad that I did this. The people I have met are amazing and I think it's going to be productive for all of us. And it's all because of you. Thank you Chloe" He planted a kiss on her cheek and beamed at her again. "And now, I am going to... You know... Mingle... Meet some other nice people... Preferably the ladies"

Chloe shook her head as she watched him leave. Words couldn't explain just how happy she was either. She turned back to Evan and she could see that he was happy too, but she could also see that he was a bit worried too. He was sipping the wine from the glass he was holding, but she noticed his gaze on one of the guests who had his hand wrapped around his female companion's waist. They looked happy. The man whispered something into the woman's ear, and she laughed, almost as if he had just told her the funniest joke on the planet.

Chloe returned her gaze to Evan and touched his arm. He blinked sharply and turned to her.

"Hmmmm... Did you say something?" he asked. "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you"

Chloe smiled at him. "No I didn't say anything, but I was about to.... You seem lost in thought. Everything okay"

"Yup. Everything is fine" Evan replied quickly, but the expression on his face said otherwise.

Chloe immediately understood and gently put her hand on his arm. "Christina didn't come," she said simply.

Evan nodded sadly and turned to face her. "I tried, you know," he said. "She's getting better.. I know she is. But sometimes she recoils back into her shell and I don't know how to handle it when it happens. I asked her repeatedly, but she refused to come with me... And don't get me wrong, I'm happy about all this but it just doesn't feel right that she's not here with me, you know. She has always been with me... Even when I was losing hope about our agency. I just... I just wish that she was here too you know"

Chloe responded by squeezing his arm. "I'm so sorry to hear that, Evan. I'm sure she will come around.... Maybe she just needs more time. You should try to have a great time... Please don't worry about this. I know it's hard, but you have to try.

Evan forced a smile. He emptied the contents of his glass and put it on the tray carried by one of the waiters." I know. You are right. Well, why don't you enjoy the party while I go mingle. Who knows, another account might just be waiting for us. You look great by the way."

He planted a kiss on her cheek before he left and Chloe stood and watched him. Her heart went out to him. She knew that the situation was probably very painful for him and he was trying very hard to keep himself together. She knew how much he loved his wife and how close they had been. Being apart from her was obviously hurting him and she wished that she could do something to help him.

She almost laughed at the idea. She was having the same problems with her feelings for Timothy and she couldn't even think of a way to help herself, she thought. And speaking of Timothy, he was supposed to be at the party too. She looked around, but he was nowhere to be found and she had to try hard not to feel disappointed. If he wasn't at the party, it was a good thing. At least she didn't have to worry about any awkward situation with him.

"Chloe...." someone called, and she turned to see Matthew standing behind her. She was a bit surprised to see him as she did not know that he was attending the party.

Matthew had a welcoming smile on his face and a spark in his eye. They had spoken only once since the last time she saw him. He had not brought up the idea of the both of them going on a date, and she hadn't mentioned it either. Honestly, she was a bit relieved that he had not asked again, because this whole thing with Timothy was driving her nuts and she needed some time to think. At least it was easier for her when Timothy hadn't said all those things about wanting her... But now everything was different.

Chloe smiled back at him, and seconds later, she found her view blocked by his chest and shoulders encased in a white linen shirt. It was open at the neck and the sleeves had been rolled back to the elbow to reveal his brawny forearms and strong wrists. His silk tie had been pulled loose as if he had been wrestling with some intractable problem.

Chloe frowned. "Hi Matt, Are you alright?" she asked him.

Matthew wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before he replied. "Of course I'm fine," he said. "Why do you ask?"

Chloe let her eyes go from his face to his body before she let her eyes meet his again. "Well, you look a bit... I don't know... Messed up. I mean your tie is loose and your sleeves are rolled up... I don't think it should be that way. The party has barely begun. Have you been drinking?."

"Yes... Just a little bit" Matthew replied and then added when he saw the look on her face. "Oh relax. I'm not drunk. I just got tired of being all buttoned up. I still look fine, don't I? Come on... You are always so serious about everything... Honestly, I wish you would lighten up a little. You're much prettier that way"