Overcoming Fear (Growing Pains #2)(84)

Which was good, because Krista rarely thought of those things herself. The person put out would have been Emily.

“I have a sword, but definitely strive for more.”

“Yes, Tory was tickled with his chat with you. He was expecting a dull evening, and instead he was entertained by an enthralling young lady.”

“Enthralling?” Krista said with a laugh, “Wow. I don’t know about that. He was probably flabbergasted that someone like me was allowed to go.”

Emily leaned in, “I think he was flabbergasted, as you say, that someone like you was left to the corners of the event.”

“He was probably the only one,” Krista laughed.

“Apparently you are quite ahead of things for being so young.”

“Oh, I don’t know about ahead of things exactly. I think I just present a younger point of view.”

“Yes, I figured it was something like that. If you were a young man, you would be called ambitious. Because you are a woman, you are an anomaly.”

“Better an anomaly then ignored completely.”

Emily laughed and nodded in a knowing way.

It was at that moment that Sean walked in, looking as dapper and gorgeous as ever. And while he was stunning in his tailored suits, you just couldn’t beat him in a pair of threadbare, faded blue jeans, and a snug-fitting shirt. Krista missed that.

“That must be the illustrious Sean McAdams I hear all the women talking about,” Emily said, following Krista’s gaze.

Sean saw Krista and smiled. He started in her direction immediately, but didn’t make it far before John nearly barreled into him with limitless energy. It was either drugs, or mass quantities of Red Bull.

“Yeah, that’s Sean.”

“And how is working with him?”

“You mean, does he hit on me constantly?” Emily smiled guiltily. “He isn’t the womanizer I once thought. Or maybe, he isn’t if you get to know him, which probably very few women actually do.”

“But you did.” It wasn’t a question.

Krista smiled into her probing gaze. “Get to know him, yes. He’s great to work for and a good friend of mine. It took me a second to figure that out, but life is in the journey, right?”

“I think you may be old beyond your years.”

“Oh no. Only in the ways of men. I’ve lived a long life in that arena. With all other things, I am definitely still a twenty-something.”

“Well, your dress is fabulous!”

When in doubt, talk fashion. Emily was exactly Krista’s speed of woman!

“Thank you! It’s new. Great find, too. Sale rack!”

It was then that Sean finally joined them. Both women turned, and even though his eyes were delving into Krista with an intensity hard to ignore, she still made the introduction like a champ. “Sean, this is Emily Hartling. Emily, this is our Team Lead, or Captain as we call him, Sean McAdams.”

Sean pleasantly shook her hand in greeting with a dazzling smile. “I know you by reputation, of course, Mrs. Hartling. It is a pleasure to meet the prettier half.”

She laughed and looked at Krista, her eyes twinkling. “Scoundrel, this one.”

Sean smiled.

Mr. Hartling joined them again, having shaken off the overeager young businessman. “Mr. McAdams, good to have you.”

“Please, call me Sean,” he shook Mr. Hartling’s hand.

“And call me Tory. Your team delivered today.”

“Thank you, Tory. I think our Krista here saved the day,” Sean said, looking down on her with eyes that glowed.

“Yes, she was the bulb to shed light on the presentation. Once I knew what angle you were taking, though, it all made sense. Insightful marketing strategies.”

“Yes, that’s Marcus. He’s brilliant, but until now no one has really been able to...find his angle, as you said.”

“And that angle was uncovered by Mr. Simmons, correct? He produced some truly ingenious imagery.”

“Ben, yes. He and Krista worked on bringing Marcus’s idea to life. Krista was the numbers, Ben was the graphic design, and together—well, you saw the finished product.”

“Yes,” Tory said, thinking. “And where is Mr. Simmons tonight?”

“He got a free pass to stay home.” Krista laughed. “He’s not really into these types of things. He got duped into helping us—he’s my roommate—then beguiled into joining the team.”

“He’s your roommate?” Tory said, a sparkle in his eyes. “And how did you dupe him?”

Emily excused herself, probably bored with talking shop. Krista waited for Emily’s graceful exit before she said, “I know his favorite takeout place. And also do his budget.”

“They are good friends,” Sean said. “And Ben is always willing to help. He’s currently finishing up an art degree in graphic design, but he is also an exceptional painter.”

“You seem to have found many exceptional people for your team,” Tory remarked, looking at Sean.

“I merely gave an opportunity to those who had previously been passed over or hadn’t yet received a chance.”

People were starting to take their seats for dinner. Krista still had no idea what the dinner was for, but if the cattle call was sounding, she needed to get to her trough.