Misunderstood: In Love with the Nerd (The Miss Series Book 2) (19 page)

They had just entered the room when a huge man with a flushed balding head approached them with a hand outstretched to greet Daniel.  In the other hand, he held a tumbler precariously.  “Daniel, old boy, glad you made it.”

“Frank.”  He smiled and took the man’s hand. 

“Thought you might make a show.”  He pivoted his large head around as if looking for someone.  “I brought my daughter, Aimee.  You remember her, she graduated from her program and landed a job down at the Institute you work at.  Was hoping you could help her settle in and provide a friendly face?”

“I would be happy to assist her in any way I can.”  He sounded professional before he turned around and slipped an arm around Sonya’s waist and propelled her forward.  “I would like to introduce my fiancée.”

She froze.  Fiancée?  They never said anything about that.  Oh Lord, she suddenly felt very queasy.

The big man turned around in surprise and eyed Sonya standing beside Daniel.  “Fiancée?  I didn’t realize you were getting married.”

“We haven’t set a date yet.”  Daniel lied so easily she was surprised at how sincere he sounded.

Then as if remembering his manners, the big man broke out into a smile and extended his hand to her.  “Nice to meet you.  What did you say the name was?”

“Sonya Elliott.”  Daniel provided, for which she was relieved since her throat had a huge frog stuck in it.

Again the man examined her.  This time from head to toe in an open and brass manner.  “Well, she certainly is a looker.” Then giving the younger man a playful punch in the arm, added, “Where’d you go and find someone like that?”

Sonya’s insides coiled and she thought the nausea she felt earlier would come hurling from her stomach.  Her worst fears were realized.  The man knew her for the fraud she was and knew she didn’t belong.

“We’re also neighbors,” Daniel supplied.

“I see.”  The man continued to study her with scrutiny and she was only too happy when Daniel turned her aside.

“If you’ll excuse us, Frank, I think we’ll mingle a little more since we’ve just arrived.”

“Of course.”  The big man bowed his head in farewell and watched as they walked away.

Daniel kept his arm about her waist, which Sonya was grateful.  Her thin dress provided little coverage in the cool room and the warmth of his body was heaven sent.  Now if only she had something cool to place across her forehead.

“Daniel.”  Another man greeted them with zest and looked on Sonya with open admiration.  “And who is this lovely creature you have brought tonight?”

“Sonya Elliott.”  Daniel made the introduction, however, this time omitting the fiancée part.

This bit of information led Sonya to believe it was the bigger man and the daughter he subtly referred to was the reason Daniel had dragged her along.  These more important men he didn’t attempt to imply that he had any kind of relationship with her.

The man broke into a grin and held out his hand to Sonya.  She accepted it and was taken aback when the older gentleman turned it around and pressed a kiss on the top of her hand.  “Such beauty.  To be in such presence is humbling.”

“Thank you.”  Flabbergasted, she simply looked on his bent head.

Then straightening he said, “Daniel is a remarkable young man.  He’s done wonders for the Institute.”

She shot Daniel an arched brow and waited for the introductions.  “This is Professor Webster.  He’s the head dean at the Institute I’m working at, and a past lecturer in my university days.”

Her mouth dropped in surprise.  She had no idea Daniel was a consultant at the very Institute in which he received his honors program.  More and more she was discovering things about Daniel she had never known before.  But that was dangerous.  The more she got to know him, the harder it would be when they parted.

Sonya felt her insides twist, for she knew it was already too late.  Leaving Daniel would be the hardest thing she did.

A live orchestra began to play at one end of the banquet hall and caught Professor Webster’s attention.  Turning to Sonya, he implored, “Would you do me the honors and share a dance with me.  It would look so good to my peers if they saw a beautiful woman in my arms.”

The smile that formed on her lips was the first natural one of the evening.  “Such charm.”

“Ah, she talks.”  The professor beamed and held out her hand.  “And such sweet music to the ears.”

Then turning to Daniel, asked, “You don’t mind if I take this lovely vision away from you for a short time?”

“By all means.”  He held up his hand to allow them to proceed and if Sonya wasn’t mistaken, glowed with pride.

She glided onto the dance floor and enjoyed her waltz with Professor Webster.  It was a classic dance that she had taught herself years ago in the privacy of her bathroom mirror.  There was something about the dance that was mysterious and romantic and she had been determined to learn it even if she never had the opportunity to use it.

Her partner was a smooth dancer as well as talker and Sonya was pleased to discover the older man had a disposition to equal her own.  His sense of humor was sharp and witty, and she found herself laughing in spite of herself.  With every spin she felt her muscles relax and nerves unwind. 

The music ended far too soon to Sonya’s disappointment and so too, apparently, her partner who persuaded her to join him for another dance.  She glanced to where she had left Daniel, and upon not seeing him, gave a nod.  She was not given much chance to ponder his whereabouts before her partner swung her around and back on the dance floor.

From his corner in the room Daniel watched as Sonya smiled and laughed at something the professor said.  He knew the old educator’s dry sense of humor and could appreciate her laughter.  More than likely the professor was saying something quick and witty.

He turned his attention away and searched the room of faces and saw some recognizable and some not.  At the back near an elaborate display of orchards was a man of tall height and slim frame.  His dark head grayed to white over the years.  Daniel headed in his direction.

He greeted Daniel cordially and congratulated him on his design, then asked, “When is the earliest you can begin installing the new networks?”

“That all depends.”  He told him as his eyes sought Sonya out once again.  “I’ll be done down at the institute at the latest in November.”

The man gave a thoughtful sigh and crossed his arms over his chest.  “Can I persuade you to make it any sooner?”

He shook his head without taking his eyes off the dance floor.  “I don’t leave until I’m happy the program is running to my satisfaction and under the care of trained professionals.”

Finally, the man looked at the dance floor and saw the beautiful brunette waltzing amongst the dancers.  “Am I keeping you from something, Daniel?”

Startled he drew his eyes away and shook his head.  Then on second thought, said, “Yes, as a matter-of-fact.  If you’ll excuse me.”

He wove his way between dancers until he reached Sonya and the professor.  He tapped on the older man’s shoulder, but couldn’t take his eyes off the emeralds glittering in her eyes.

The professor turned around in surprise, then drooped his shoulders at seeing Daniel.  “I was wondering how long I was granted before you came and claimed her.  Well, go off you two youngsters and enjoy yourself but be warned Daniel, I may make another claim before the night is through.”

“I would be honored.”  Sonya said, smiling with sincerity at the gentleman.

He planted the broadest grin on his face then gave a short nod and slammed his hand on Daniel’s shoulder.  “She’s a keeper young man.  Don’t let her get away.”

His words rang so close to home that Daniel felt a jolt in the vicinity of his heart.  The professor was right.  He didn’t want to let her go.  Ever.  He had been a coward to sit back all these months and hope she did not rid of him when she tired.  What was he afraid of?  He knew the answer even as she slipped her hand into his and they began swaying across the floor to the orchestra.  That he wouldn’t be able to stop her.

“You’re a good dancer,” he said into her ear.

She sighed.  “Good.  Fine.  Pretty.  Your adjectives are anything but flattering.”

His only response to this last remark was a smirk.  “You enjoyed the professor’s company, I take it?”

“Yes, he’s very charming.”  Then deliberately added, “He has a way with flattery.”

He opened his mouth to respond there was a great number of flowery words he’d love to shower her with but doubted she’d appreciate hearing, when she cut him off by suddenly nodding toward a point just past his shoulder.  “Do you know that woman, Daniel?”

He moved his head in the direction she gestured and saw Aimee Smith standing alone in a gathering of tuxedos and gowns.  She appeared uncomfortable and lonely.  Out of politeness, he raised his hand and saluted.  She immediately relaxed and responded in the same manner along with a large bright smile.

“Is she the reason I’m here tonight?”

Daniel looked down into her face and studied her reaction to the other woman’s presence.  Aimee Smith was the excuse he had given her.  Frank had made it obvious that he would love to add him to their family addition, but his daughter did not appear to feel as inclined.  However, it made a perfect pretext for convincing Sonya to accompany him.  He purely just wanted her there with him.

“Yes.”

She nodded in understanding.  “She certainly looks jealous.  I see your problem.”

He raised a single brow at her.  Really?  Interested?  He may be naive when it came to identifying the interest of a woman, but he was pretty certain Aimee Smith was merely being friendly.

Sonya turned to study the woman once again and noticed the flattering but simple dress she wore and the severe ponytail she had fastened her bleach blonde hair into at the back of her head.  Though she wore minimal makeup, it was obvious she was a rather attractive girl.  “So explain to me first why you’re not interested?  She seems perfect for you.”

This caused him to frown heavy and spin her around a bit too harsh.  “Do me a favor and don’t try and guess who is right for me.  That woman is as right for me as—”

“I am for you.”  Sonya finished the sentence for him, knowing what he was thinking but too nice to say.

Daniel’s eyes narrowed down at her.  “Right.  Like mud and oil.”

Sonya looked away unable to meet his eyes in fear that he would read the hurt within them.  If only oil wasn’t such a thick and non-absorbent substance.

Her view fell on Aimee Smith once again to discover the woman headed their way.  Sonya’s insides clenched in irritation.  “Well, don’t look now, but she’s headed our way.”

He gave a weary sigh but turned to look just as Aimee reached them on the dance floor.

“Good evening, Daniel.”  She offered him a far too bright of a smile in Sonya’s opinion.

They stopped dancing to greet the woman and for reassurance sake, Sonya slipped her arm through Daniel’s.  Aimee Smith’s quick glance duly took note of the action.

“Hello, Aimee,” he said.

“Don’t you just hate these stuffy events?  I always feel so uncomfortable at them.”

“Everyone does look like a bunch of stuffed penguins,” Sonya quipped but immediately wished she’d bitten her tongue.  That was the old Sonya.  The new one had more class.  “But there is nothing hotter than a man in tux.”

Oh geez, if that wasn’t any better.  She shot Daniel an apologetic look but found him smirking down at her pleased.

Aimee shifted her glance toward Sonya for the first time.  “Hello.”

“Ditto.”  Sonya hadn’t meant for the word to come out so harsh, but it somehow did.

Aimee’s smile faltered slightly, but she composed it quickly when she returned her attention back to Daniel.  “Father said you were here and with your fiancée.”

He nodded in Sonya’s direction.  “Sonya Elliott, Aimee Smith.”

Aimee acknowledged Sonya’s more than stunning appearance with an uncomfortable glance, tucking a self-conscious strand of hair behind her ear before saying.  “What a wonderful surprise.  Father didn’t think anyone could snare the talented Daniel Keller.”

“Your father is too generous.”  He responded with a polite smile.  “I’m afraid it is quite the opposite.  I didn’t think I could ever snare anyone so beautiful.”

Sonya nearly dropped right there on the floor.  He called her beautiful.  Even if it was for the excuse of fending off the unwanted advances of this woman who evidently had her thorns embedded possessively in Daniel.  She tried to push the wonderful sensation that suddenly yearned to engulf her and concentrate on her task at hand.  She was there for a purpose.  It was high time she put her services to work.

Eyes shimmering, she smiled up at him and wrapped her arms around his waist with zeal.  “Beautiful, Daniel?  You are too generous but I think a little bias.”

Her act must have caught him off guard, for he looked down at her startled.

“Am I not the luckiest woman in the world to have captured such a wonderful man?  I am so proud of him.”

“Yes,” Aimee agreed and shifted on her flat heels at Sonya’s brazen show of affection.  “He is a genius.”