Boss and Holly were anxious to hear about how things were going at the office. I gave them a glowing report. I didn’t want to give them any reason to worry, especially not tonight. Boss was particularly pleased to hear about the meeting we had the day before. I noticed Luke listening intently; I’m sure he was still bitter his dad fired him, but he only had himself to blame. Thankfully, he decided our conversation wasn’t to his liking and he left. From there I enjoyed pictures of Cancun and playing with baby Camden. He was an adorable, curly haired redhead that had the most addicting giggle. I wanted one.
Before too long, guests began to arrive. I think I knew everyone, from clients, to employees, to the people we all went to church with. I was happy that Amanda and Zane showed up before my new boss. I wanted to make sure they were going to be on their best behavior and not embarrass me. They had been teasing me all week about what they were going to say to Mr. Greyson when they met him tonight. It ranged from the absurd all the way to the blush-worthy inappropriate.
As soon as they got there, I cornered them, but it did no good. They had evil glints in their eyes. I didn’t like it one bit. “Please don’t embarrass me. Remember what I told you yesterday. He’s in love with some other woman. And he’s my boss. And I don’t like him.” They weren’t buying it.
“I’m telling you, Kelli, the woman he was talking about at lunch is you,” Zane said.
My sister nodded in agreement.
“You both have lost your ever-loving minds.” I walked away from them and toward the patio, knowing it was a lost cause. I prayed the good Lord would have mercy on me and Mr. Greyson wouldn’t come. But just as I thought it, he appeared. It was eerie.
“Kelli.” He tapped my shoulder.
I sighed and turned around. “Mr. Greyson.”
He cocked his head to the side. “I almost think you call me that just for enjoyment now.”
“Now, Mr. Greyson, why would you think such a thing?”
He moved closer and lowered his voice. “I, too, can read people.”
“Oh really?” I placed my finger on my temple. “So, what am I thinking now then?”
He stepped even closer. “You’re thinking, ‘How come he hasn’t complimented me yet on how amazing I look.’”
My eyes popped and I dropped my hand.
He smiled.
“Um . . .” I bit my lip. “Not even close.”
“Oh, well I tried.”
Wow, was it getting warmer? It was then my sister and Zane decided to grace us with their presence.
“Kelli, who is this?” Amanda sing-songed. Oh my gosh, like she didn’t know. I was going to kill her later.
“Mr. Greyson, let me introduce my sister, Amanda, and my brother-in-law, Dr. Zane Culver.”
Ian shook both of their hands. “Please call me Ian.” His eyes pleaded with me to do the same.
I shook my head no.
My sister and brother-in-law looked to be enjoying the show by the way their heads ping-ponged between us.
“You’re a doctor? What is your field of medicine?” Mr. Greyson asked Zane.
“I can’t believe you didn’t mention already that I was the best dentist in Nashville,” Zane teased me.
I faux bowed. “My apologies, oh great one.”
“Bryant women are so sassy.” Zane nudged me.
“Tell me about it,” Mr. Greyson said.
My sister playfully smacked her husband, but I puffed out my chest proud of the characterization. Zane and Mr. Greyson seemed to hit it off immediately. I wasn’t sure what to make of that, or how to feel about it. While they chatted like old college buddies, my sister pulledme over to the side. “Whoa Kelli, how do you get any work done with him around?” she whispered.
“It’s easy, I ignore him.”
