Page 52 of The Bourbon Bride

“Paige! What about your fiancé back in Savannah? What does he think of your new relationship with Hayes?”

Paige turns at that question, finding the reporter who asked it and smiles while I clench my jaw hard enough to crack teeth.

“You must be mistaken,” she says with a laugh. “I’ve never been engaged, and I assure you, there is no fiancé, nor anyone whose opinion matters, to object to my dating such a proper gentleman.” She turns away from the reporter and faces the others expectantly.

They eat it up, quickly calling more questions at her now that they know she’ll respond.

“Were you scared during the carjacking?”

“Of course. Anyone would be in that situation,” she answers, looking at me. “I’m safe today because of this man’s heroic actions. The world needs more people like Hayes Olsen, but this one’s mine. I’m keeping him.”

I don’t even hear the rest of the questions or bother to answer, fully in awe of this woman beside me. Paige is perfectly poised and at home selectively answering what she wants and redirecting those she doesn’t with ease. We pose for various photos and slowly make our way through the press and into the venue thirty minutes after our arrival.

“I’m making you head of the PR team for Underworld Spirits. What you just did was brilliant. You’re a natural.”

I could keep flattering her for hours because the list of her qualities is endless, but she stops me with a kiss.

“I just told the truth and made sure to mind my manners. Anyone can do it.”

“More people should, you mean.”

I absently run my thumb across my lips to check for lipstick and smile when it comes away clean.

“I was kind of hoping you’d cover me in red lip prints later, but whatever you used isn’t budging.”

“That was the point. I’ll paint on a sloppier option and mark you up anytime you want, though.”

She looks around at the party, full of people dressed to the nines holding glasses of our liquor.

“Y’all really know how to throw a party.”

I snag a couple of tumblers from a tray as a waiter passes and hand one to her.

“This should be the double barrel bourbon. It’s incredible.”

She takes a sip and closes her eyes. “It really is. There’s a candy flavor to this one.”

I smile proudly at her discerning palate.

“Come on, I want to introduce you to the leadership team.”

I lead Paige around the party, introducing her to the Underworld Spirits vice presidents and the executives who oversee the operations. I kept everyone on when I bought the company because I trust their vision and direction. They’ve proven a good investment and a loyal group who just want to see their brand of liquor become successful.

“Is this the belle everyone but you is talking about, big brother?”

I turn at the question to find Payton standing with his own glass in hand and a mischievous smile on his face. I sigh, knowing there is no avoiding my brothers now.

“Paige, I’d like you to meet Payton Olsen, every inch the middle child he is, and Chief Operating Officer of Olympus International. Brother, this is my beautiful Paige.” I place emphasis onmyand hope to God he doesn’t try to pull some bullshit that will need to be put down.

“Pleased to meet you,” Paige responds.

Payton holds his hand out and she takes it firmly. Instead of the handshake she was expecting, he raises her fingers to his lips and kisses them suavely.

“Oh,” she says in surprise, taking her hand back once he releases her fingers.

“I’ve heard so much about your adventures with my brother online that I had to meet you in person. God knows he won’t tell me anything himself.”

Payton gives me a look that I know means he’s been working overtime controlling the media with the carjacking last night. God, it feels like an eternity ago when barely twenty-four hours have passed.

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