“You don’t look so bad yourself,” I say with a cheeky grin, deflecting with humor as usual, but thankfully he chuckles. Meanwhile, I’m resisting the urge to face-palm.
“Glad to hear I pass the test.”
“Really though. Wow.” I run my hand down the front of his suit, then the other over his shoulder and biceps, relishing the hard muscles beneath. Now that I know what he looks like under those fine clothes, it’s a tough call to decide which view I prefer.
“Oh yeah?” Asher’s eyes darken as my hands roam and he takes a small step toward me, crowding my space.
“Mhm—”
“Okay you two! Pretty sure you have to be leaving now. Like, ASAP, before you start groping each other in the hallway.” Zuri’s unwelcome voice cuts through the lust-filled haze.
Asher quirks a smile at my expression.
“She’s right. My lady?” He holds his arm out and I snort.
“Since when are you such a gentleman?”
He makes a good impression of being affronted, but I know better.
“Bye!” Zuri pushes me out and closes the door on us.
“Don’t wait up!” I call through the door, hearing an answering call from Reverie who then shrieks at Zuri for closing the door before she got to talk to Asher.
The event is heldat a local ballroom, which I didn’t even know was a thing. I gasp when we walk in and are surrounded with opulence. The hardwood floor gleams, there are gildedcrown moldings, floor to ceiling windows along one wall and a mirrored bar along the other, with two massive chandeliers glittering overhead. There’s also a small stage on one side, and round tables set for a meal fill the floor.
“Wow,” I say, and Asher hums in response.
I glance up to see his brow scrunched.
“What is it?”
“Oh, nothing.” Asher looks down at me and clears his face. “It’s always a nice event, but they’ve never gone this all out before.”
We wander around the room as we make our way to the open bar, running into some friends along the way.
“How amazing is this?” Alex says, their eyes alight with excitement.
“Bit much, I’d say,” Kendall replies, seemingly unimpressed with the grandeur.
I laugh. “It’s really something. I’ve never seen anything like it before. I mean, look at those chandeliers!”
“Right? I wonder if they’re real crystal,” Alex says.
“Probably.” Kendall’s voice is a low drawl.
“We’re making our way over to the bar, but save us seats!” I tell them and Alex raises their glass in response.
Asher’s palm is warm and strong on my lower back as he keeps me tucked close to his body while we order drinks and then find our seats.
The event proceeds as expected, with plenty of networking and catching up between colleagues and friends. The emcee provides an outline of the evening’s itinerary, and a catered dinner is served, complete with appetizers and dessert.
When I’ve eaten my fill and have to resist finishing off Asher’s serving of lava cake, the emcee takes to the stage again.
“And now, ladies and gentlemen, I’m pleased to welcome to the stage your CEO, Mark Trowlen.” With a wave, theemcee gestures as he backs off the stage and the PNCG CEO takes the spotlight as everyone applauds.
“Good evening, everyone,” he says. “I know you’ve all been looking forward to this event for some time, and we are so pleased to have you all here tonight. As I’m sure you’ve heard, we have a big announcement to share, which is why we’ve gone a little over the top with this year’s company event.”
There are some scattered chuckles as everyone waits for him to continue.
