Butterflies in Honey (Growing Pains #3)(7)

“I noticed you were quiet,” Krista said to Ben. “That’s a rare thing.”

He shrugged. “There was nothing I wanted to know more about. Nothing that sparked my interest. It was all a bit…weak.”

Krista figured as much. Ben and Marcus were treated like celebrities, too. Maybe they weren’t pampered as much, mostly because they weren’t as scary, and probably because they were guys and didn’t love presents as much; but accounts tried to angle their ideas to incite the creative genius that was Marcus and Ben. Especially Ben.

If Ben picked up an idea, leaned forward on the desk with clasped hands, and starting imaging ways to work with it, spin it, use it—well, Tory and his Circus got out their note pads. An excited Ben always meant great possibilities.

After Ben shaped the idea to how it would work best, he’d turn to Marcus and say a couple words to ignite Marcus’s creativity. If Marcus picked up what Ben put down, then the company made money—if Krista didn’t destroy their numerical foundation first, of course.

They were a helluva team. And Tory knew it. He didn’t fully realize what he had in the beginning—what Sean had found and put together—but as soon as he did figure it out, they remained a unit; the best unit in the entire, monstrous company. The three-pack made the company cash, as well as making themselves big bonuses. Ben might think of Krista as his lucky penny, but it was them as a unit that made the magic.

Just think what they could’ve been if Sean had gone with them.

“Where is dinner tonight?” Ben asked, cutting through Krista’s mental landmine.

“I want to see Kate and Jasmine. So, if you all want to head my way?” Krista said.

“We have dinner with John and friends.” Marcus turned to Krista as they rode the elevator down. “Your biggest fan, Monica, planned it.”

Krista rolled her eyes at Marcus’s sarcasm. If anyone hated Krista more than Monica, the girl that thought she beat Krista out to get in Sean’s pants, she didn’t know them. Thinking on the dinner, Krista’s stomach erupted in nervous waves again. Would Sean bring a date? If so, who?

They filed out of the elevator and Krista smelled that familiar smell—the sun heating up your skin as the ocean breeze rolled over you. Sean.

He didn’t spare her a glance as she walked by, Marcus laying a hand on his shoulder as a means of saying goodbye; but the dang Circus were all talking baseball or something stupid with him, so that was the end of that.

It was not so much interesting as horrifying how much her splintered heart hurt.

“Krista,” Tory said as she got into the car. He got in behind her.

“Hey Tory.”

“So, as you are probably aware, it is unlikely we will be working with them.”

“I figured.”

“I am impressed with how you handled yourself. I feel slightly sorry for their presenters.”

“Just doing my job.”

“Doing it well, yes. You still work well with Mr. McAdams, even if in opposition.”

“I give you leave to call him Sean,” Krista said with a laugh as she looked out the window. “Yes, I do, don’t I?”

“Yes. What are you planning to wear tonight?”

Krista was glad he changed the subject. “I have to buy something. I have a desire to look fabulous.”

“Yes, of course. I wondered if you wanted to call Emily? She longs for any excuse to shop.”

Krista laughed again and agreed. Emily, Tory’s wife, was always a good time.

Chapter Three

That night at dinner, Krista showed up with Marcus and Ben. Both were looking snazzy and conservative, as usual. Going out to top rate dinners was standard on these trips. In contrast, Krista was wearing a sleek, sexy number that was not standard for these trips. Curves and bust were on display in a fabulous deep red dress. Ben and Marcus both commented that she looked beautiful, but other than that, not a word was said about it. They weren’t dummies—they knew why she wanted to look good.

The three made their way to the bar, like they had a million other times. These trips were starting to all blend into one similar memory. Except this time, Marcus knew nearly everyone there. At first he introduced everyone, but then he just started leaving Ben and Krista for longer periods as he caught up with old friends. That guy was nothing if not social.

Krista stood at the bar waiting for her drink when she realized Ben was slowly melting away down the bar.

“Krista.”

Her stomach dropped out. She half turned to face Sean.

“Hi Sean.” A million emotions were going through her, but she kept her face clear and her demeanor calm.

“It’s been a long time.”

“Yes.” She looked into his eyes. How could she forget that brilliant green? Those bottomless depths? How could the years have detracted from the memories of this handsome man? But here he was, looking dashing and in charge, more handsome than she could’ve ever remembered. Nothing else existed but him.

“You look lovely. Would you care to sit down?” he asked politely.

“Uh, sure. Yeah.” Her eloquence in two years hadn’t improved, it seemed. She still sounded like a moron college grad. So, that was irritating.

He led her to a table out of the way. The whole side of the restaurant was designated for their use. Monica was a tramp, but she put on a good show.