Page 145 of The Silver Fox Brother

"Well, that's great," I say flatly. I turn to Winter.

"We should probably go."

Winter raises one eyebrow at me.

"Okay. Well, I'm finishing up here—"

I interject. "Yeah. But I really want you to meet the client for the development we're working on. It's important you meet him."

Winter pauses. "Okay." She turns to Tom.

"I'll catch up with you a little later."

Tom smiles, that same stupid grin still plastered on his face.

"Sure. You'll owe me a drink and a dance perhaps."

I glare at him, disgust barely contained. Heat rises from my neck as I motion Winter toward our table, my hand on her lower back nudging her forward. Forcefully.

I can feel myself almost breaking a sweat.

"I'm coming," Winter says, and I can hear the irritation in her voice.

I guide her to our table and sit her down in front of her nameplate. Then I take the seat beside her as the last of the attendees make their way into the ballroom. The event host steps up to the microphone at the front of the room and begins welcoming everyone.

Winter leans over to me, her voice low.

"Well, where is the client you wanted me to meet so urgently?"

I look at her, my expression blank.

"What?" I say.

Winter's eyes go wide.

"You interrupted my conversation because you said I had to meet a client for the development." She motions with her hands, looking around the table.

"You made it sound like it was so urgent. So where are they?"

I deflect. "Not right now."

The hostess at the front of the room begins speaking over the microphone.

"Welcome everyone to this evening's banquet..."

Her voice fades into background noise as I lean in toward Winter, my chest heaving with rage I can barely contain.

"So was that an old flame or something?" I ask, the words pouring out of my mouth like a jealous boyfriend.

"He seemed rather smitten with you."

Winter glares at me. "No. We worked together on a renovation design. As I already said."

I nod, still heated, still perturbed. I lean in closer, lowering my voice but not enough.

"Oh, and what about the guy you were out with yesterday? Was he also someone you worked with?"

Winter's eyes lock on mine fiercely.