Page 58 of Savage in the Sheets
“Hello, everyone,” I begin, smiling for the room. I really was made for this.
I start with a small excerpt from a trashy romance novel to work the crowd, then pretend to have accidentally picked up the wrong book and pull a book of poems from my purse.
Jenna is laughing so hard, tears are streaming down her face. I’m thankful she left her makeup to someone I trust, who uses the best products.
I start in on the poem, which is short, sweet, and everything that Jenna and Weston deserve. Women are sighing, and there’s barely a dry eye in the room.
I finish to applause, toasts, and calls for dancing.
Finally! Time to introduce myself to that brother she’s been hiding.
I snake around the room until we’re face to face.
Wow—he’s even more perfect up close.
“Hello, handsome,” I say with a waggle of my brow.
Craner gives a polite smile but quickly looks away.
If Craner is anything like Jenna, he’s predictable. Not too wild. Well measured.
Let’s see how he likes a little spice added to his life.
“Jenna never told me she had such a handsome brother,” I purr, taking a step closer until my body is nearly pressed against his. “Aside from being sexy, what do you do for a living?”
Craner faces me again, his jaw gaping adorably. I bet he’s not used to forward women. I bet he’d like more.
Finally, he says, “I work for Alden Ellez Bank.”
“Oh, do you write bank loans? Because you certainly have my interest.”
Jenna interrupts, embracing me and planting a kiss on my cheek.
“I see you’ve met my brother!” she enthuses.
“Yeah, I saw him checking me out like a library book from across the room,” I give Craner a wink, “and so I came over to tell him our meeting was long overdue.”
Both Weston and Jenna don confused faces. When did they get so lame?
“I’ll have you know,” Craner interjects. “I’m super gay, and being around you, makes me want to be more gay. It validates my major life decision in a way no attractive man ever has.”
Oh…didn’t see that coming…
Jenna and Weston break out into laughter and I join in, because even I can admit my epic humiliation is freakin’ hilarious.
“Sorry, Greg is late. Surgery,” Craner says.
Jenna’s face falls. “I understand. How could I be mad at that?”
Craner goes off with a hot piece I assume is his date, and I’m left thinking of how good it would feel to be sandwiched in-between the two.
“You really couldn’t take a day off, could you?” Jenna asks.
“I was planning to, but you never told me your brother was hot!”
Jenna’s pulled away, and I’m asked to dance by her adorable eight-year-old cousin.
After an hour of nonstop footwork, I finally take a moment to myself, sitting and hydrating with my first nonalcoholic drink of the evening.
