Page 148 of His Surrender

Five minutes later, another guest smiles at her while we’re talking to Walker.

Perfectly harmless, until his eyes drift down her body. He has no idea that I notice.

Apparently, that’s all I do tonight—notice. I notice the way heads turn when she laughs and the second glance from a man across the room.

My jealousy is irrational. I know that.

She’s with me.

She’s holding my hand.

She chose me.

Yet some primitive part of my brain seems determined to catalog every man who realizes exactly how beautiful my girlfriend is.

“So,” Sawyer says, pulling me back into the conversation, “we’re thinking of expanding the foundation next year⁠—”

I nod automatically. “What?”

He laughs. “You have absolutely no idea what I just said.”

“I do,” I lie.

His chin falls as he chuckles. “You don’t.”

“I heard … foundation.”

Walker snorts into his drink. “He’s distracted.”

I straighten my back. “I’m listening.”

“No,” Sawyer says with a grin. “You’re monitoring traffic.”

I frown. “What traffic?”

Sawyer follows my line of sight toward a group of men across the ballroom who have been eyeing Aubrey before looking back at me. His grin widens.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Riiight.” He takes a sip of bourbon. “Then unclench your fists.”

An hour later, I’m talking to several department managers I haven’t seen in months. Aubrey stands beside me, effortlessly charming everyone she meets.

One of our regional directors shakes my hand, and then he smiles politely at Aubrey.

His eyes travel along Aubrey’s body. But this time, it isn’t quickly or subtly. They go down and then slowly back up.

He catches himself immediately, but I’ve already seen it.

We continue talking.

He’s discussing quarterly projections, but I don’t hear a single word.

His gaze flickers toward Aubrey before snapping back to me.

My jaw tightens. Aubrey lightly rests her hand against my forearm, oblivious to the silent war happening inside my head.

The conversation finally ends, and I breathe a sigh of relief.