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She walked me to the champagne bar. “So, how well do you know Xerses and Roman?”
Interesting. “I don’t know them, though rumor is, they’re buying my company.”
Kelly put her hand on hip. “Well, that would be good for you.”
I gazed at her. “Would it?”
She nodded. “Xerses and Roman invited us into their speedboat in Cancún next weekend.”
“That will be fun,” I said.
I didn’t know much about Kelly’s history. She never opened up, but I knew that she had no close family members. It was nice to see her so happy.
We clinked glasses, and she said, “So, I have to say, Xerses would be a fun boss to have.”
I glanced across the hall and noticed Kir talking to his brothers. My heart pounded. I returned my attention to my friend and whispered, “Do you like him, Kelly?”
She lowered her lashes and hid her face. “He’s different than I expected for a trillionaire.”
My eyes widened. Kelly was never shy. My heart lifted, but I winked and joked, “So you’ve thought about trillionaires before?”
She laughed, and her face pinkened as she stared at me. “Well, I already started to change my mind about them being evil overlords when I saw how Charlie was so nice to Hope, but Xerses just offered to restore the zoo in my hometown.”
I looked through the hall at Kir again. When I focused on him, the rest of the world disappeared. “That sounds nice.”
Kelly followed my gaze and tapped me on the shoulder. “There’s Kir if you’re looking to get him alone.”
“Thanks.” I did need to talk to him. I walked toward the hall and gazed around. Most of the women were circling the bride. I tugged on his arm. “Kir, come.”
I directed him back down the hall where no one could see us if they glanced over. “What’s going on?”
Earlier, I’d almost told Kelly to go for it with Xerses. That meant I needed to do the same. Now that I was near Kir, my skin buzzed.
I went on my tiptoes and said, “This,” and I pressed my lips to his.
His arms wrapped around my waist and held me closer to his muscular chest. My body zipped with awareness. As one kiss ended, another began, and I was lost. He was wonderful and perfect.
As the kiss ended, he asked, “What was that for?”
“Avril?” Kelly and Miley both said.
“Kir?” one of his brothers said.
I sighed, pressing my forehead to his. He probably had no idea I’d put myself out there. “We’re being called. We’ll talk after.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
My heart stirred. That kiss had been inevitable for a while. I hoped he felt the same. When we talked, I would find out.
Chapter Twelve
Avril
* * *
The bachelorette party ended when the bride went to put her son to bed. We played a game of truth or dare, and I learned that Clarissa and Elon’s son was eight. I had no idea how long they’d dated. I was just learning about Kir’s family.
The men had gone outside a few hours before, but when they filed in, I saw Kir near the groom, who kissed his bride. His parents also kissed. My heart thumped. He walked toward me, and those dark eyes of his captured my attention. Kir smiled. His arm went around my waist, and he kissed my cheeks.
