Page 23 of Falling for Mr. Wright

Melanie closed out the ceremony by telling the crowd to enjoy their desserts, continue to support the silent auction going on in the next room, and to get ready to hit the dance floor. She returned to her seat and turned her attention to Ryan. “Good job, Ryan. I’m sorry Logan wasn’t here to hear your kind words.”

“Thanks.” Ryan nodded and dug into his strawberry cheesecake. “I’m proud of him.”

“I always knew you’d be working for him one day,” Melanie said.

What the hell was that supposed to mean?Sarah set down her flute. She knew a slight when she heard one. “As a matter of fact, Logan all but begged Ryan to come work for him. Ryan is the right man—theonlyman—to put NPH Designs on the map as the leading eco-friendly architectural design firm in North America. There’s no other architect in this country that can do it, and Logan knew it when he hired him.”

She went on because someone needed to put this snob in her place. “Ryan’s designs are not only breathtaking but are going to revolutionize best practices for sustainable office space, reducing the commercial carbon footprint.”

Melanie lifted her chin. “I’m sure he’s made a huge contribution to NPH Designs.”

“He has,” Sarah continued, feeling an overwhelming need to stand up for her friend. “Maybe one day, he’ll be kind enough to consult private school administration on ways to green their lavish cafeterias and classrooms without compromising tradition. I’m sure the dead men in these halls would agree that it’s high time to be responsible.”

As if on cue, a loud song boomed from the DJ’s speakers. Ryan stood. “Sarah, would you like to dance?”

“Yes. I’d love to.”

Sarah took Ryan’s hand, flashing a phony smile in Melanie’s direction. No ex was going to make her favorite architect feel second to his best friend—not on her watch.

---