The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 392

He offered a warm, charming smile, extending his bent left arm toward her.

Chester had already noticed the way passing men were eyeing her.

Even if they hadn't approached yet, their gazes lingered far too long, some even turning their heads to look back as they walked away.

Once the opening speeches ended and the networking portion of the evening began, he knew they would swarm her.

Suzie simply stared at his arm, making no move to take it.

He decided to play on her fears. "Take it, and you'll buy yourself a peaceful evening. Otherwise..."

He tipped his head toward a group of men hovering nearby, and she immediately caught his meaning.

If she looked taken, she'd be left alone.

Slowly, she slipped her slender, pale arm through his. In that moment, Chester was absolutely thrilled, though he kept his triumph carefully hidden.

At her request, they found a discreet table near the back.

Soon after, the host took the stage and invited the guest of honor to speak.

A hush fell over the room.

Suzie scanned the venue, recognizing several faces she'd seen on television.

After deciding to attend the gala yesterday, she had tried calling her old upperclassman, Sienna Garcia, to see if she wanted to come along, but Sienna was out of town on a business trip.

Her gaze was still wandering through the crowd when a deep, familiar male voice echoed from the microphone, making her freeze.

Slowly, she turned her eyes toward the center stage...

Standing under the brilliant spotlight was a tall, strikingly handsome man.

A perfectly tailored black suit clung to his athletic frame, emphasizing his broad shoulders and lean waist.

Stella's voice snapped her out of her daze.

"I'm fine..." she murmured.

Seeing that Chester had wandered off with a drink to mingle, Suzie quickly pulled Stella aside and filled her in on exactly who he was.

Stella's eyes went wide, not with shock, but with absolute delight.

"Oh, yes! Suzie, this is genius! Top-tier strategy! If that Baylor guy still has any feelings for you, seeing you with him is going to make him cough up blood!"

Suzie frowned, puzzled.

"I haven't even explained my plan, and you already know?"

Stella rolled her eyes. "Please, it's me. We practically share a brain. I know exactly how you think. You wouldn't be caught dead hanging out with a guy like that unless you were using him. He looks like a total playboy anyway. If you wanted a real date, you would've brought Oliver, not him!"