Chapter 80

Tasha's POV 

The charming toasts and stale jokes of the awards dinner began and I found it hard to concentrate on anything. 

I had somehow sat so I had to either turn towards the podium or sit staring straight ahead at Rainer. 

Through a few shifting gaps of other people, his smiling face would appear and give me a little jolt. 

He chatted with people at his table, laughed in support of whoever was at the podium, and lounged in his chair looking completely at ease. 

"Ms. Nichols, is there anything I can get you?" Topher asked in a hushed tone. 

"No, I'm fine. And you can stop asking," I told my assistant. He shook his head. 

"You look unhappy. They're about to take a break if you'd like to switch tables. Maybe something with an easier view?" Topher meant of the stage, but he had no idea how apt his suggestion was for me. 

I couldn't help but stare at Rainer, and the more I did, the more I felt th