Shelaughed, too. “I’llbe sure to send him a thank you card.”Shelooked at the things they had drawn in the sand. “Wantto take pictures?”
ParkerusedKelli’sphone to take a picture of her standing just above herChristmasgreeting, in a mid-air leap, arms thrown into the sky.Thenhe stood next to his, doing his best impression of the animated character inGraham’sslide show that announced the prizes, andKellitook a picture with his phone.
Hewas happy with the scene he had created.Evenif it did make him missChristmasat home.
Asthey headed back along the beach toward the mansion and the shoes they had both left behind, they texted their pictures toGrahamandMeritas proof that they had completed the challenge.
“Ican’t believe we are texting the owners ofZentCubelike they’re ourBFFs.Inever thoughtI’dbe doing this.”
Parkerlooked over atKellias they walked along a beach, fifteen hundred miles from home, with the sun low in the sky, casting her in golden light. “Inever thoughtIwould, either.”
Nine
Kelli
Kelliloved dressing fancy.Shehad packed three elegant dresses when she saw it on the packing list, but she knew the one she was going to go for all along.Itwas the perfect shade ofChristmasred, it was shimmery, and she always felt on fire when she wore it.Likeshe could do anything.Shepaired it with some equally fabulous red shoes.
Thenshe pulled her curled hair up in a loose bun that was speedy to do but looked all fancy, which made the dangly silver earrings she wore stand out even more.
Valeriatexted to ask how things were going, so she texted back a picture of her in her dress, taken in the full-length mirror in the room.
VALERIA:Wow!Youare going to knock the socks off all the guys there!
ImeanMYsocks just jumped off my feet.
Kellismiled and texted the emoji with a girl dancing in a red dress.Andthen added lasers to it before sending it, laughing to herself.
VALERIA:Isee you chose the red dress.Doesthat mean you met an interesting, single guy?
Parkercame to mind first, which shouldn’t have surprised her, since she’d just spent an hour on the beach with him.Butshe reminded herself that a relationship withanyonewasn’t a good idea right now, and a casual one withParkerwould only make working on the same floor with him even more awkward than it had been after the last time they had dated.Davis.Thinkonly ofDavis.
KELLI:Idid, actually!
Hisname isDavis, and he works inDevelopment.
And, because she knewValeriawould ask for details, she added a text that said,Andhe has nice eyes.
Valeriaresponded with the surprised emoji.Thenthe gasping emoji.Thenthe heart-eyes emoji.
VALERIA:Wow.Thisis huge.Dippinga toe in the dating pool after so long.I’mso proud.
Okay,I’llstop distracting you.Youjust go get your flirt on, girl!
Butdon’t you dare forget to text me the details later.
KELLI:Iwon’t.
Sheslipped her phone into her handbag, took one last look in the mirror, and then headed out her door.Shewas sure she wasn’t heading down late at all, but as she walked down the curved staircase, she saw all six of the men already standing in the lobby, waiting.Andshe didn’t miss their appreciative expressions.Itwas a little confirmation that she hit the mark with her outfit.
Hereyes were onDavisas she walked down the stairs.Helooked nice dressed up so fancy.Hissuit was well fitted, his hair looked good, and those kind eyes were like an accessory that made the outfit.
Butas much as she tried to keep her eyes only onDavis, they went toParkeranyway, and she forgot how to breathe.Hisdark suit looked on him like suits had been designed for the express purpose of makingParkerBrockbankirresistible.Itwas a deep, warm gray that brought out colors in his eyes that she hadn’t seen before.Thoseeyes looked captivating.Intoxicating.Likethey were reaching out to capture her.
Hishair, which had looked beautifully windblown on the beach, now looked tame enough to be respectable, while still having a hint of wildness.Hisscruff was trimmed short and neat and she wanted to run her hands along that strong jawline of his.IfDaviswas a ten out of ten,Parkerwas an easy nine hundred and fifty-seven.
Shewas in so much trouble.Sheneeded blinders tonight, like the kind they put on horses.Thenshe could just keep her eyes onDavisand not seeParkerat all.Daviswas attractive.Heseemed like a good guy, and from what she knew ofGrahamandMerit, they wouldn’t have invited him if he wasn’t.
Davis, she told herself.Then, a little more firmly, she repeatedDavis.Keepyour eyes onDavis.
