Page 36 of Falling For My Best Friend's Brother

I finally looked at Sean and saw the excitement on his face. He didn’t need to speak to tell me what he was thinking.

Scowling at him, I gulped down the bubbly contents of the flute before giving it back to him. “Don’t even think about it.”

I didn’t wait for the response that was sure to come. My feet moved, carrying me across the expanse of the room toward Nina. I swept a hand over my hair—tied back into a bun—to smooth it, sucked in a breath and squared my shoulders. I caught a little of their exchange as I got closer.

“…. come on, Uncle Dean, you can’t tell me you’ve actually taken up golf,” Nina teased with a playful smirk. “That’s the equivalent of retiring early for you.”

She was looking up at him with easy familiarity, and Dean was smiling down at her as if she was the brightest thing in the room. I hated how natural it looked, the way they seemed to belong together in that polished, comfortable world of theirs.

Dean laughed, a warm, rich sound that turned a few heads nearby. “It’s called maintaining connections, sweetheart. Networking, if you will.” He raised an eyebrow at her. “And yes, I’ll admit, the idea of a decent tee shot has grown on me.”

She rolled her eyes, leaning in a little. “Sure, sure. You’re just finding an excuse to hang out with those old-money cronies of yours. Daddy included.”

He chuckled, unfazed. “Bullshit. Your father is the one dying to spend time with my genius, though I am guilty of the cronies accusation. But if it helps smooth out a few new deals, I won’t complain. Plus, someone has to keep an eye on you young ones.”

I was close enough now that Dean spotted me approaching, and his entire face lit up with a welcoming smile.

“Ah, Knox Coleman, wasn’t it?” he said, extending a hand. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you in person. I hear you’ve got quite the head for big ideas.”

Something must have happened between the time that we met earlier and now. Dean had not been this friendly just a short while ago.

I forced a steady smile, shaking his hand. “Mr. Dean Bishop, it’s great to finally meet you.”

Dean’s grip was firm, his presence effortlessly commanding. At over six feet with a build that told you he didn’t spend his free time lying about, he was a big, brawny man. He’d also been named inForbes“Richest and Most Powerful Men” of the decade. The man carried himself like someone who didn’t need to announce his power—everyone just knew.

He glanced back at Nina, and something about his gaze softened. “My goddaughter’s told me a lot about you,” he said with a slight nod, like he was letting me in on some secret. “And from what I’ve heard of your proposal, I can tell you’ve put a lot of thought into this project.”

I managed a tight nod, glancing at Nina, who looked calm as ever. Like she hadn’t been keeping this little fact about her godfather from me. She was watching me with a hint of thatsame playful look I’d seen when she was teasing Dean, like she was curious to see what I’d do with this revelation.

Dean didn’t miss a beat. “Your presentation was impressive, Knox. It’s rare that I see someone tackle an idea with that level of clarity and foresight. Tell me, how do you see our companies growing if we move forward?”

Caught slightly off guard, I straightened, settling into my pitch instinctively. “Well, Dean, I believe our agency’s expertise in crafting impactful narratives could be a powerful asset for both of us. By highlighting the unique value of your brand, we can expand your reach and solidify your presence in key markets. Our partnership wouldn’t just be beneficial but also transformative, and it would be about building a narrative that resonates with your audience on a deeper level.”

Dean listened intently, nodding along with genuine interest. I couldn’t believe it. The man hadn’t so much as given me a second glance about thirty minutes ago. As I finished, he turned to Nina, who gave me an approving nod.

Dean’s smile widened. “That’s what I like to hear. You’ve got an ambitious vision, Knox. We’ll definitely be talking more.”

I could barely breathe.

He looked back at Nina, giving her shoulder a light, almost fatherly squeeze. “You keep good company, Nina dear. I hope you know that.”

She just laughed softly, eyes dancing between us. “Oh, I try. It makes things… interesting.”

There it was again—that spark in her eye, like she was challenging me without even saying a word.

A gangly looking man suddenly leaned in to whisper something in Dean’s ear and he nodded curtly, meeting my eyes. “My attention has been called elsewhere. Enjoy the evening, everyone.” He threw this to the people that had gathered around him before turning to Nina. “Sweetheart, you’ll have to accept my invitation to dinner one of these days. We have a lot to catch up on.”

Nina smiled softly. “Sure thing, Uncle Dean. Have a great evening.”

He kissed her cheek. “You too, sweetheart.”

When he strode away, the crowd dispersed, leaving only Nina and me. There were still a few eyes on us, but I couldn't resist asking the question that had been on the tip of my tongue since we got here.

“You could have mentioned,” I bit out, voice low, “that the man I’ve been busting my ass to impress is your fucking godfather.”

The smile on Nina’s face didn’t falter, but it did become strained and did not quite reach her eyes. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did you want a list of everyone I’ve known since I was five?”

“That’s not the point.” I kept my voice calm, but it took every ounce of control. “I wanted to earn this. I don’t need favors from—”

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