Page 59 of Loving You Always

“Where?” Kerris scanned the room, looking for the proud dark head and wide shoulders.

Jo nodded her head in the direction just over Kerris’s shoulder.

“He’s over there.”

Kerris started to turn around, only to have Jo grab her elbow.

“Don’t turn around. Don’t look.”

“Well, how am I going to—” Kerris stood perfectly still, as if one movement would shatter something fragile. “Tell me what to do.”

“Okay, he’s got company, and he won’t be able to get away for a while, if I’m guessing correctly.” Jo cast a discreet glance across the room. “He’s with the chairman of the Bennett board of directors, Paul Garrison. Sofie’s father, Ernest Baston, is over there, too. He’s Uncle Martin’s business partner. And Sofie’s with them. Sheisthe foundation’s goodwill ambassador, but I just didn’t think about her being here.”

Kerris’s blood congealed in her veins to a slow chug. This night was becoming a tape on rewind. Here she was again as the misfit Cinderella, dressed in unfamiliar finery, surrounded by a rarefied colony of people who had been reared to rule. And the queen of the ball was once again standing with the man she wanted.

“This is it, Kerris.”

“This is what?”

“I know these people look nice, and some of them are. But your man? He is the ultimate prize, honey, and you are swimming in a shark tank tonight. Be on the offensive. Don’t wait to defend your territory.”

“Are we still talking about me and Walsh?”

“Sweetie, we never stopped.” Jo mixed just enough compassion with the grit in her voice. “You are going to walk over there and show all these bitches why he chose you.”

But what if she still didn’t know why herself?

I want you to claim me.

Walsh had said it, and his words massaged the last knots from her composure, centering her. Reminding her of the peace she found when she was with him. Of the rightness no one could take from them, if she didn’t let them.

“Okay, I’ll tell you when to turn—”

Jo stopped mid-sentence because Kerris had already turned.

She said over her shoulder, “Thanks, Jo. I think I got it.”

She looked back at the beautiful girl, who reminded her of Kristeene the more time she spent with her. “Thanks for everything.”

Jo gave her a quick grin and a thumbs-up.

Kerris headed in the direction of the small group clustered around Walsh. She saw the two men Jo had mentioned. She could actually see traces of Sofie’s Nordic beauty in the tall man nursing a glass of champagne. The shorter gentleman must be the chairman of the board. And then there was Sofie. Her long red nails lay on Walsh’s arm. She reminded Kerris of a gorgeous python, trying to wrap any part of herself she could around Walsh, and Kerris watched as he kept discreetly pulling away. He turned, and Kerris walked toward his back. Sofie looked up at him and over his shoulder. She saw Kerris first, and her green eyes went glacial. The wide, soft mouth stiffened into a frozen line.

Kerris walked up behind Walsh and slowly, surely slipped her hand into his. He looked annoyed for a moment and her heart fell. Then she realized he thought it was Sofie again. As soon as he saw her, his face transformed.

“Hey. I was looking for you.” He didn’t kiss her, but his eyes went thermal as they scoured all the bare surfaces of her body, sending feathers floating in her belly. She wished they were alone and he could peel the jumpsuit right off her.

“I was with Jo and saw you come in.”

She squeezed his hand, then lifted up onto her toes until she could reach his mouth. And in front of all the sharks, and with her eyes wide open and holding his, settled a kiss on his mouth, soft and certain. Walsh’s grin widened and he wrapped an arm around her waist before turning to face the other two men. Kerris could feel their curiosity, along with everyone else’s in the immediate vicinity, pique.

“Paul, Ernest, I don’t believe you’ve met my girlfriend, Kerris Moreton.”

Kerris ignored Sofie, who was choking on her champagne, and extended her hands to both men.

“So nice to meet you.” Kerris said, leaning into Walsh’s side.

“Kerris came through the foundation’s scholarship program,” Walsh said, pride coloring his voice and warming his eyes when he looked at her.

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