Page 97 of Surprisingly Us

“Diem!” Corinne exclaims with matched enthusiasm.

“Oh my goodness. I heard about your engagement.” Diem hugs Corinne tightly while bouncing on her toes. “Let me see that ring!”

When Diem pulls back from their embrace, Corinne extends her left hand.

“It’s breathtaking.” Diem pats Jerrod on the arm. “You did good.”

A satisfied smile spreads across Jerrod’s face. “I did, didn’t I?”

“It’s so big. And look at that clarity.” Diem examines it.

Jerrod’s gaze flits to mine. He’s loving this moment. I have the urge to whip out the engagement ring in my pocket and show him up, but I refrain.

“Peter, good to see you.” Jerrod shakes the guy’s hand.

“You two are having one hell of a year,” the guy who must be Peter says. “Corinne’s promotion. Now an engagement.”

“Things always come in threes,” Diem proclaims, her enthusiasm building. “Oh! I bet Jerrod will get the board president position. That’s number three!”

Diem must feel my hard stare on her because it’s after this declaration that she finally shifts her gaze from Corinne and Jerrod to Ramsey, then me. Her eyes widen when they meet mine and I think she’s just realized who I am, yet she doesn’t look regretful that I heard what she said about the board position.

“Diem, Peter, this is my cousin, Rhys Spencer.” Jerrod nods in my direction. “And his assistant, Ramsey.”

“Peter Archer.” The guy shakes my hand, then Ramsey’s.

“Diem Vega.” She extends her hand. “I’m sure you know my mother, Aditi. She’s on The Spencer Foundation board.”

“Yes, I know her.” That’s all I can say because other than our brief conversation at Jerrod and Corinne’s dinner party lastnight, I don’t know much. I certainly didn’t know she had a daughter that is good friends with Corinne and Jerrod.

I’d say I could attempt to make a good impression with Diem and it might get back to her mother, but Diem’s body language is telling me everything I need to know. She’s the female version of Jerrod. Before she even opens her mouth, I know that she’s going to tell me everything that makes her great.

“I’m on the fundraising committee for Leg-Up. I worked closely with Colette Davenport on putting the performance showcase together for tonight.”

I’m not sure if she’s name-dropping Colette right now, but it’s odd she’s using Lettie’s last name as if I don’t know who she is.

“Colette is my girlfriend.”

“Oh.” She looks taken aback for a moment but then recovers. “How long have you and Colette been together?” Diem asks.

“It’s only been a few weeks. But for Rhys, that’s a record. Right, bud?” Jerrod’s patronizing tone lights the short fuse that I was already working with.

“We grew up together. We’ve known each other forever,” I respond.

“That’s nice.” Those are her words, but her face looks like she sucked on something sour. She’s likely disappointed to hear about Colette’s association with me.

I need to keep my shit together. Diem is Aditi’s daughter and works with Colette through Leg-Up, so before I say something I regret, I quickly excuse myself. I need a drink.

Ramsey and I make our way out to the lobby, a red and gold carpeted space filled with high-top tables draped in black linens. On one side of the room is the silent auction, while the other side has tables filled with light appetizers and desserts. A small bar is set up on either side of the room to prevent congestion.

“She’s talking out of her ass. She’s not on the board. Her mother is. And you said you made good headway getting to know the board members last night.”

“I did.” I order a whiskey neat from the bar. Ramsey’s brows lift as I down it in one gulp, then order another. “But that was before Corinne and Jerrod got engaged.”

“There’s still time, and all this hype about their engagement will die down. Besides, the tides will turn when you propose to Lettie. You think you two dating has garnered interest, just wait until you’re engaged.”

“Fake engaged,” I correct.

“Sure.” He takes a sip of his white wine. “Oh, I see Sebastian.” He lifts his arm above his head and waves his fingers fervently.

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