Page 13 of Savannah Sweethearts

“Ashley, I—” My mother stammered.

We stopped in front of them, and I puffed my chest a little. “Mom, Dad, you remember Tyrell Harris, don’t you?”

While my mother was at a loss for words, my father absolutely was not. “Hello, Ashley. Mr. Harris. It’s certainly been a long time. I didn’t realize you were still in our fair city.” He spoke through clenched teeth, and his voice was not warm in any way.

My father did not offer his hand, and neither did Tyrell. Instead, my date wrapped his right hand around my own as it rested on his arm. “Mr. Gloss. Mrs. Gloss, it’s a pleasure. I am, indeed, still here in Savannah. I’m actually a producer at Action News.”

Voice finally found, my mother scoffed. “A producer?”

“Managing producer, actually. I run the show.” He looked at me as he said that and tightened his grip on my hand.

I could have swooned right then and there with how sexy Tyrell was in that moment. He had overcome whatever obstacles my parents projected him to have. Growing up, his family had been lower-middle class. He never went without food and necessities, but he did have to do without most of life’s niceties. Whereas, I grew up with nothing but niceties and excess. Mrs. Harris had worked exceptionally hard to make ends meet, and I had nothing but the utmost respect for her and Tyrell for their successes.

“So, you made something of yourself after all. How did you find him again, Ashley?” My father appraised Tyrell, looking him up and down.

If I knew my father, he was assessing the cost of Tyrell’s suit and trying to figure out what income bracket to now place him. Ire rose in my throat.

I stepped even closer to Tyrell, and I could feel the heat coming off his body. “We ran into each other a few weeks ago, Dad, at your event. And when Mom said I needed to find a date for this lovely function, I immediately knew who to ask.” I looked at my date with complete adoration. I had started off doing it for effect, but I realized I truly did adore him. I always had.

My mother stepped toward us. “Ashley, darling, might I speak with you in private for a moment?” She held out her hand for me to take and walk away with her.

Instead, I drew back even more into Tyrell. I knew the game she was playing. “I’m sorry, Mom. It will have to wait a bit. I know Tyrell is eager to introduce me to his co-workers, and I see Karry just ahead.” My head was swimming as I blatantly defied my mother. Usually, it was more subvert. “Shall we?”

Knowing his cue, Tyrell nodded to my parents. “Mr. and Mrs. Gloss, excuse us. We’ll have to catch up more later.” He held me tightly as he turned me away from my parents and led me over to the table of Action News crew carefully munching on hors d’oeuvres and sipping wine.

Exhaling, I flexed my fingers so the feeling would return after having been dug into Tyrell’s arm. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize I was gripping so tight.” I rubbed his arm. “But that was amazing.”

He stopped and lifted my hand to his lips, kissing it lightly. “I am so proud of you, Ashley.”

I beamed. “Thank you. I’m proud of you, too. Look at us growing up.”

As we approached his coworkers, a man with a mass of wild curls on top of his head called out, “Tyrell! Hey, man!” I recognized him from the last event.

After a round of introductions, I noticed the room becoming more crowded. I couldn’t see my parents any longer, and I was grateful. My entire body began to relax, and I rolled my shoulders back.

A voice behind me caused me to spin on my heel. “Ashley Gloss, I thought that was you.”

Evan Browning—the thorn in my side my parents had set me up with. Apparently, my giving him the slip at the last function didn’t get the message across that I wasn’t interested in him. There was no doubt in my mind that my parents had found him and sent him after me to try to get me away from Tyrell.

Evan’s hand extended toward me. “Might I steal you from your party for a dance?” I backed away on instinct.

Before I could speak, Tyrell pushed between us. “I’m sorry, but this next song is spoken for.”

The smug smile on Evan’s face fell as he eyed Tyrell. “Oh, well, perhaps a little later then.” He fiddled with his diamond-encrusted Rolex.

Without expensive jewelry to show off, Tyrell rolled his shoulders back and cracked his neck as if he was a prize fighter. “I’m afraid her whole night is booked.”

I could feel someone step up behind me. I heard knuckles crack, and Evan looked over my shoulder. He put his hands up and nodded, backing away slowly.

A gush of air rushed from my lungs. “Oh my gosh, thank you so much.” I put my arms are Tyrell.

Reaching behind me, Tyrell shook hands with the man who had shown up to back him. “That's why you're the man, AO. Thanks.”

Turning toward AO, I smiled. “Thank you, too.”

“What a creep.” AO went back to the table and picked up his plate as if nothing had happened.

Tyrell put his finger on my chin and tilted my gaze up to him. “How about that dance?”

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