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I nod, preferring her to think my nerves have more to do with the large gathering of influential businesspeople than the truth that I’m about to seduce my father’s best friend.
Dad looks up from his phone that he’s been texting on ever since I got into the vehicle. “Your instincts were correct. It was a shell game they were playing with the acquisitions team.”
“Perhaps we could take a moment to be present,” Katie suggests, giving his phone a pointed glance.
Dad pockets his device, and the three of us drift into an awkward silence.
“There was something you were going to tell her,” she prompts.
I don’t like the feeling that I’m being left out of the loop. “Tell me what?”
He pulls an imaginary piece of lint from his suit while refusing to make eye contact. “I had three of the men attending bring their sons for you to meet.”
“Dad! What happened to letting me find someone on my own?” I can’t believe he’s doing this to me. Instead of flirting with Eric all night, I’ll be dodging spoiled frat guys.
“They’re all nice, single boys around your age. I had Eric do some background checks and look at their social media. He approved of them.” He nods decisively as if Eric’s seal of approval should be the only thing I need.
I scoff. “Oh, well, there you go. If Eric says it, that should be enough for me. Do you and Eric get to pick the honeymoon destination too? Or am I allowed to make some decisions on my own?”
He sends Katie a look as if pleading for help.
She crosses her arms over ample chest and shakes her head. Her posture makes it clear she wasn’t on board with this idea. I feel better to realize she’s in my corner.
“You don’t have to marry them. Just make small talk. Put yourself out there for once instead of being wrapped up in your laptop.”
It feels surreal to be hearing those words from my dad whose picture would be in the dictionary if I searched for workaholic. “When was the last time you went on a date?”
“That’s different.” He glances out the window.
For a second, I feel like a total bitch. Even if the wound was unintentional, I still pressed on a part of my father’s heart that aches. “I didn’t mean—”
He holds up a hand. “Do as you wish tonight.”
The limo pulls to a stop and I take a deep breath. Mom said to make Dad happy and really, talking to a couple of guys for a few minutes can’t be all bad. Once I do that, I’ll find a place to transform into Miss Karma and get focused on my mission.
* * *
Eric
Sitting at the bar, I scan the crowd of people. I’m looking for my boss. Hell, it’s not him I really want to see.
It damn near killed me today when I saw Atlas in those cute little panties, ass cheeks winking at me. I wanted to sink my teeth into that juicy flesh, then spin her around and drag my tongue across that little triangle between her creamy thighs.
Movement catches my eye, interrupting my wicked thoughts.
Michael enters the hotel ballroom with Katie on one arm, and Atlas on the other. She’s dressed in a pink flowing gown that makes me wonder if she’s still wearing the same panties from earlier. Is she wearing panties at all?
I shift on the barstool, reminding myself that a business event is not the place to be getting a hard-on for the boss’s daughter.
She brushes her long, blonde curls away from her face, a gesture I’ve seen her do a thousand times. There’s a small freckle on the side of her hand. Seeing it always makes me wonder where else she has freckles.
Meanwhile, Michael is beaming at everyone. He greets dozens of people without missing a single name.
When the Abernathy family approaches him, I take a long swallow of my scotch and try to ignore the burning in my gut.
As I suspected, the oldest boy likes what he sees when he looks at Atlas. Too bad she’ll be bored to tears within five minutes of meeting him. Dear old Charlie might be perfect on paper but he’s about as interesting as a rock with dung on it.
He leans close to her, whispering something in her ear and she laughs. She fuckin’ laughs at his joke. He can’t be that funny.
