“I’m so glad you’re here!” she squealed. She took me by the arms and smiled benevolently down at me–the perfect image of a bride. Radiant. So freaking pretty you almost wanted to shield your eyes and maybe even say a few Hail Marys, and I had no idea how to say those, but she made me want to.

“Yep,” I said. “Anyway, happy wedding!” I winced internally, especially when I saw the bosses and their squad were drifting over. A few of the important looking people they’d been speaking with wandered off, but I had all three Pollard brothers looming over us now. Jonas, the handsome one who was almost as perfect as Lizzie. Maxwell, the oldest vulture-like one who was tall, bent, and balding. Then there was Alec, the middle brother, who would’ve been handsome except for a scar that ran down his face and screamed “bad guy from a 90’s action movie”.

Lizzie’s smile faltered for just a moment, but she replaced it quickly. “Thank you.” She dipped her chin, locking her big baby blue eyes on mine. “I heard I finally get to meet your mystery man. He’s one of the speakers. I bet you’re so excited.”

“Oh, definitely,” I said. So much for nobody noticing he was here.

“Dean should be arriving soon,” Jonas said. “Lizzie has been telling me about the two of you. I wouldn’t normally encourage inter-office dating, but since Dean is just a consultant, I went ahead and booked you two a room together.”

My throat went dry. I tried to swallow, but just made a clicking noise. “You did?”

Jonas beamed, showing a row of gleaming white teeth. He had mistaken my shock and horror for stunned gratitude. “It’s no problem, really. I want you to enjoy your week here. I know this is a work conference, but it kind of feels like the prelude to the wedding, doesn’t it? We can’t wait!” He put his arm around Lizzie’s waist and pulled her into him. Like the perfect bride she was, my sister planted a kiss on his neck, smiling up at him and batting those long lashes.

I stole a look toward Marley, who was shamelessly standing just a few yards away with her leopard print suitcase at one side and her coat dangling over her arm. She tilted at the waist to twinkle the fingers beneath her coat at me and gave me a shit-eating smile. I glared, and then I gaped.

Because that was when I saw him.

Dean Slater was striding into the lobby like he owned the place, and he’d already spotted me. His eyes were locked on mine and his smile was broadening with every step he took in my direction.

For a few fleeting moments, I considered dropping my things and running. I could just sprint for the elevator and think up an excuse later. Bad airport food? I had an important call to take? An ingrown toenail that required immediate attention? Whatever it was, it surely couldn’t be as bad as standing here and waiting to see whatever that man was planning to do when he reached me.