Page 104 of Flaunt
She laughs, making Banks and I laugh along with her.
She clasps her hands in front of her. “I will let him know you’ve arrived. Please, enjoy yourselves. There are drinks and appetizers on the right.”
“Thank you, Jennifer,” I say.
With a final nod, she disappears into the throng of people.
Banks squeezes my hand. “You’ve impressed Myles Petterson. You’re obviously an amazing accounts rep, Sara.”
I smile.When was the last time someone simply praised my work ethic for what it is? For who I am?
“Let’s walk around a little bit and mingle. It’ll keep you from standing here and overthinking every word of that conversation.”
I laugh, letting him guide me through the room.
We acquire champagne from a friendly server named Ryan. He and Banks sparked a conversation about baseball that was both informative and entertaining.Typical Banks—making friends wherever he goes.
I sip my drink and watch him chatter away, easily charming a man who didn’t need to be charmed. I’m not sure Banks even meant to do it. But Ryan, our new friend, was a little anxious when he handed us our champagne, and Banks said something ridiculous to put him at ease. Now Ryan has been invited to Sunday dinner at Damaris’s.
I wonder how often that happens.
My gaze slides across the room, sweeping across architectural details that I add to my mental corkboard for future home ideas. But it all comes to a screeching halt when I land on a pair of dark eyes boring into me.
I turn casually like an annoyed, fiery pit didn’t just ignite in my stomach and slip my arm through Banks’s again. Not satisfied with that small amount of contact, he slips his arm behind me at my waist.
“Joshua is here,” I say once Ryan leaves.
He looks down at me. “I know.”
“How? I thought you didn’t know him.”
“It’s funny what you notice when you have a girl you care about.”
Slowly, my lips turn toward the ceiling. My insides are obliterated. I stare at him, unsure whether he’s kidding—playing the doting fiancé part—or if he’s serious.
Could he be serious?
I hold my breath and process the possibility.What would I feel like if he were?
Then it hits me like one of Banks’s awful jokes that has me bursting into a fit of laughter at two in the morning—it would feel a hell of a lot like this.
Adored. Protected. And so damn happy.
“When you have a girl you care about, huh?” I ask, turning in his arms so we’re facing one another. My heartbeat quickens. “What’s that mean?”
His grin is to die for. “It means that I care about you. A lot. And unless you’re completely oblivious, you already knew that.”
“Maybe I’m not oblivious,” I say, straightening his tie. “But maybe I thought you were just being silly.”
“Babe.”He chuckles. “I’d never joke about that.”
My knees weaken.
“Well, hello, Ms. Willis.” A silver-haired man with a grandfatherly smile stands beside us. “I’m Myles Petterson, and it’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person.”
I clear my throat and take his hand, giving it a gentle shake. “It’s so nice to meet you, Mr. Petterson. Thank you so much for the invitation. That was very kind of you.” I turn to Banks, ignoring the sharp glare directed at me from across the room. “This is my fiancé, Banks Carmichael.”
Mr. Petterson’s bushy eyebrows tug together. “Banks Carmichael? You must be related to Kixx. Are you one of his sons?”
