Page 14 of Conner's Choice
Conner:No, I wasn’t. I’ll be here all night.
Elizabeth:I have to stay through the end of the event, of course, but I’ll try to slip away for a few minutes.
Conner:We shouldn’t be seen together.
Elizabeth:I’ll pretend I don’t know you.
Conner:Good enough.
When Conner shoved his phone in his back pocket, Christian asked, “What’s going on, Con?”
“I have a client who’s probably in danger,” he confessed as he tossed back a shot of Jack Daniels.
“Presumably a woman.” Christian took a swig of his Coke.
“Yes. A woman.”My woman. Christ! Conner’s heart palpitated from the forbidden thought.
Christian glanced at him and read his mind. “Damn, Con. You’re involved with her.”
“Yeah, maybe I am.” Conner signaled the bartender. “And you can save your lecture because I don’t want to hear it.”
“No lecture from me. What the hell do I know anyway? What’s her name?”
“Elizabeth Warner.”
Christian choked on his Coke, and his eyebrows shot up. “Shit, Conner.”
“Exactly what I was thinking.”
When he reached for another shot of whiskey, Christian stopped him. “No more, my friend. Believe me, it’s not going to help.” He paused. “So, Elizabeth is running the shindig in the ballroom.”
“Yep. Hughes and I are keeping our eyes on her.”
“All right, then, I’ll help you.”
Two hours later,while the engagement party was in full swing, Elizabeth entered the Grand’s bar. Approaching the bartender, she ordered a club soda with a twist of lime. Staring into the mirrored backdrop behind the bar, she met Conner’s reflection. Speaking softly, she said, “You two are hilarious. I haven’t seen hide nor hair of Hughes, but I spotted both of you a while ago.”
She looked gorgeous in her sky-blue dress, which caused her eyes to appear blue rather than gray. Conner opened his mouth to compliment her but shut it again, tongue-tied.
Christian chuckled, slapped Conner on the back, and took the lead in case anyone was watching them. “Elizabeth, it’s nice to see you again. This is my best friend Conner O’Donnell.”
Elizabeth offered her hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. O’Donnell.”
“Likewise, Mrs. Warner.” Conner held her hand, squeezing it with intimate familiarity which caused a bolt of electricity to shoot through him. Her faint intake of breath indicated that she felt the same. They stared at each other, engulfed in the heat that surrounded them.
Christian coughed discreetly, and Conner dropped Elizabeth’s hand.
Chapter Five
After a fewminutes of polite conversation, Elizabeth returned to her responsibilities as event planner, shaking her head and smiling. When Conner and Christian started to banter back and forth, they reminded her of her brothers whom she missed. Although unplanned, she couldn’t wait to see her parents later. She’d texted her mother to let her know what time to expect her, and Lydia assured her she’d be most welcome. The warm interest she perceived in Conner’s eyes sustained her through the evening as she hovered in the Grand Ballroom, ensuring the engagement party ran smoothly. When it ended at nine o’clock, Andrea Allen, her fiancé, and both sets of parents approached Elizabeth to offer their thanks.
Stepping forward, Mr. Allen said, “We want you to plan the wedding. It’s next year on June tenth.”
Elizabeth checked her calendar on her tablet and smiled. “I’m available that Saturday.”
“Wonderful.” He handed her an envelope.
“What’s this?” she asked.
