Page 418 of How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother
She grumbles as she adjusts the front of her dress. “Seriously. They haven’t been the same since the pregnancy.”
I step up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist, and press a kiss to her collarbone. “You’re perfect. Your body is perfect.”
“But is it the right balance? I want to look professional, but also like…I don’t know. A woman.”
I turn her to face me, keeping my hands on her arms. “Audrey. You’re going to be the most beautiful woman in the room. You always are.” I give her shoulders a tiny squeeze. “More importantly, you’re going to be the mostbrilliantperson in the room.”
“You really think so?”
“You’re the one they’re giving the award to, aren’t they?”
She leans up and presses a quick kiss to my lips. “I still think it’s silly we’re here. If anything goes wrong with our travel, we might miss—”
I kiss her again, cutting off her protests. “We aren’t going to miss anything. Besides, we already know youwonyour award. If we had to choose between your thing and mine, I’d rather be at yours.”
She rolls her eyes. “That’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever said.”
“It isn’t dumb. It’s the truth. Now come on. Your fancy luncheon awaits.”
The annual luncheon for the Weston Science Foundation is happening at a luxurious lakeside hotel just outside of Asheville. They only give one outstanding achievement award each year, and this year, it’s going to Audrey for her research on biodiversity in intentional green spaces to counteract the negative impacts of urbanization.
It took me three tries to memorize that sentence.
Have I mentioned how sexy my wife’s brain is?
We make our way to the elevator, then ride down to the banquet hall on the first floor. Nate is hovering near the door when we arrive, and he nods as we pass into the room. “Congrats, Audrey,” he whispers, and she smiles wide.
We move toward our table, and I bristle at the eyes swiveling to watch us. Audrey has grown pretty used to the way people stare whenever we’re out in public. But today, I’m the one whois uncomfortable. This is Audrey’s moment. Nobody should be looking at me.
“You have to stop frowning, Flint,” Audrey says. “You look miserable.”
“What? I’m not! I’m so happy to be here.”
She chuckles as she sits down, and I scoot her chair under her. “Then smile and lean down here to kiss me.”
I do as I’m told, and she hooks her hand around my tie, holding me close long enough to say, “I don’t care that they’re staring at you, baby. Just sit down and relax.”
Fortunately, our tablemates are much more enthusiastic about Audrey’s presence than mine. They pepper her with question after question about her work, and she fields them like a pro. She is gracious and charming and funny and brilliant, and I am so in love with her, I don’t think we need a plane to get us to Los Angeles tonight. I’ll fly us there myself.
After lunch, the foundation president shares a few remarks, then gives the stage to Audrey so she can present her latest findings and recommendations. I reach over and squeeze her hand just before she stands. “You’ve got this,” I whisper.
There’s a slight tremble in her exhale, but she squares her shoulders and smiles. “I’m going to be so boring,” she says. “Don’t fall asleep.”
She isn’t boring. Not even a little bit. By the time she finishes, the foundation president who presents her with her award looks so enamored, I think he might propose.
Across the room, Nate lifts his head, then pointedly looks at his watch.
I resist the impulse to do the same thing. We’ll be fine. And I’m not about to rush Audrey out of here on my account.
Another round of applause breaks out as Audrey leaves the stage and makes a beeline straight for me. “Okay, done,” she whispers, grabbing my hand. “Let’s get out of here.”
Nate escorts us out of the hotel to a waiting car, which whisks us to the airport where we climb onto the private jet we hiredjustfor today—our only hope if we’re going to make it Los Angeles in time.
Captain Salano, the same pilot who flew Audrey to New York, greets us at the door. “Busy day?” he jokes as he shakes my hand.
I grin. “It’s up to you, now.”
“Hey, is Blake single?” Audrey asks as we settle into our seats.
