Rhett’s compliment echoed in my ears. I wanted to believe him, but I’d heard those kinds of words before, and they’d meant nothing. He seemed sincere. Could I trust him? The last time I’d trusted a guy, he’d used me, humiliated me in front of his friends, then tossed me aside.

I needed to chill. Those kinds of negative thoughts led down a path I no longer wanted to travel. They reinforced my anxieties when I needed to remain positive. A lot had changed since high school. I wasn’t the fat, awkward girl anymore. These people didn’t know or care who I’d been back then. College and my new job had provided me with a clean slate.

“Rhett, Bronte, you’re here. I’m so glad to see you.” Dakota patted Rhett’s arm then pulled me into a hug. I didn’t usually like being touched by a stranger, but the gesture was so unassuming and genuine that I couldn’t complain.

“Hi.” I managed to squeak out a greeting despite the dryness of my throat. “You’ve got a lovely home.”

“Thanks. I grew up in a trailer park, so this is quite the change for me.” Her honesty took me by surprise. I’d assumed she was born into wealth, like the Seaforths. She motioned to the cluster of men around the bar. “Rhett, make yourself at home. I’m going to steal your girl for a minute, if you don’t mind.”

He studied my face. “Is that okay with you?”

“Sure. Go ahead. I’ll be fine,” I said, although I wasn’t so sure.

“I’ll take excellent care of her,” Dakota said.

I watched Rhett cross the room with long, easy strides. He made an impressive figure in his charcoal suit, black tie, and black dress shirt. The other men greeted him with claps on the back and lots of hand shaking.

“You look amazing. I love your dress.” Dakota brought my attention back to her.

“Thank you.” I relaxed a little under her warm smile. “I wasn’t sure what to wear. I’ve never been to a cocktail party before.”

“You’re perfect.” She hooked her arm through mine and leaned into my ear. “Between you and me, I hate these parties, but Sam says we have to do it for the business.” Sam stood a few feet away, a highball glass in one hand and the other in his pants pocket. He cocked an eyebrow at his wife. “If it were up to me, we’d have beer and burgers on the grill.”

“Are you taking my name in vain?” he asked.

“We were talking about how handsome you look tonight.” She nudged my ribs with an elbow, lowering her voice. “Just nod and smile. He’s so cocky, he’ll believe it.” I laughed and nodded. Sam lifted his glass to us. Dakota rolled her eyes. “See?”

“Dakota, I can hear you,” he said, but amusement glittered in his eyes.

“He’s got some kind of supersonic hearing. It’s weird.” As we passed by him, she paused to press a kiss on his cheek. His hand brushed her bottom. Their love for each other was obvious and reassuring. “I’m going to introduce Bronte to everyone. Keep an eye on Rhett for us, will you?”

“Anything you say, sweet pea.” Sam’s gaze followed his wife across the room.

“You know, it’s great to see Rhett out with someone. He always seemed so sad, but since he met you, he actually smiles.”

At the mention of his name, my gaze drifted to where he was standing. His eyes met mine. A small thrill traveled into my center. He jerked his chin and smiled. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and smiled back.

“For billionaires, the two of you sure seem normal,” I said then popped a hand to my mouth. Why did I keep saying things like that? Twenty years of counseling never corrected the issue. The doctors and psychologists explained it as defect in my wiring, or one more way I failed to measure up to the scale of normalcy.

Dakota laughed. “Bronte, I’m beginning to like you more and more. And for the record, I appreciate your directness. In my world, honest people are few and far between. Everyone has an agenda. I never know if they’re being nice to me because they like me or because they want something from me.”

“Well, you won’t have to worry about me. Everything I think comes straight out of my mouth.”

“You don’t have to watch what you say around us. My mouth is constantly getting me into trouble. And Sam never censors himself.”

“I can still hear you,” he said, winking at me.

She rubbed my arm, her eyes soft and compassionate. “Now, let’s have some fun. I’m going to make sure you meet everyone here, so you’ll feel comfortable. Have you met Freya, Rhett’s assistant?”

“No.” The thought of a woman working at his side, day in and day out, caused jealousy to heat my blood. What would it be like to see him every day, to look into his expressive eyes across a desk, to have conversations about numbers?

The petite brunette had been chatting with an elderly couple. She turned to us at the sound of her name. Her brown eyes glided over me, bright with interest. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t catch your name.”

“Bronte Hollander,” I replied.

“She’s with Rhett,” Dakota said. “Can you believe he finally brought a date?”

“Rhett doesn’t date.” Freya’s tone turned chilly. Her gaze swept over me a second time.

“We’re just friends,” I said, unable to shake an uncomfortable knot in the pit of my stomach.

“Wait a minute. Are you the donut girl?” Freya asked. The tension in her shoulders eased. She laughed, waving a hand through the air, dismissing me like I was insignificant.

“My family owns Joe’s Java Junction,” I replied, bristling at her attitude. “We don’t serve donuts.” This was like high school all over again.

“Oh, Sam and I love that place,” Dakota said. I gave her a grateful smile.

“Actually, it’s Dr. Bronte Hollander. She’s a biological systems engineer at Vale Chemical.” Rhett’s deep voice rumbled from close behind me.

“Oh?” Freya cocked her head, her eyes narrowing. “You’re not a real doctor, right?”

“Well, according to Princeton University I am.” I tried not to let my temper rise, but this woman seemed determined to push my buttons.

“She’s too modest to admit it.” Rhett’s winked at me, sending heat into my cheeks. “Actually, she’s kind of a genius.”

“Hardly,” I said. The pride in his voice caused a silly smile to curl my lips.

“Sounds boring,” Freya said. “I hope they pay you well. I wouldn’t want to spend all my days locked up in a laboratory dissecting animals.”

“That would be an animal biologist. My job is more about figuring out how things work than how to take them apart.” I bit my bottom lip to keep from saying more. I’d seen the way people’s eyes glazed over whenever I talked about my work.

“Ah, well,” Freya replied, clearly finished with the topic. She turned her deep brown eyes to Rhett and smoothed her palms over the lapels of his suit. Her proprietary touch seemed too personal. “I’m so glad to see you here tonight, Rhett. I wish you’d told me you were coming. I would have come with you.”

“I already have a date,” he said. So, now it was a date? My heart skipped a beat. To my amusement, he backed up a step.

Freya’s hands fell to her sides. “That suit looks amazing on you, by the way. If you want to go shopping together again, let me know.” The corners of her lips tightened in a fake smile. “Rhett’s color blind. If I didn’t put together his outfits, he’d walk around looking like a clown.”

“I doubt that,” he said, but his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Wait a minute. He let her choose his clothing? “Isn’t that a little odd?” I asked. Rhett avoided my gaze. “What kind of assistant is she?”

Dakota choked on a laugh then bit her lip. I studied Rhett’s face, trying to decipher the context of the situation.

Freya frowned. “Rhett’s not just my boss, he’s my brother-in-law. We’re family. Aren’t we, Rhett?”

“Freya is Amy’s sister,” he said. “She was my assistant back in Ohio. When my assistant here quit to relocate, I brought her in. She’s excellent at what she does.”

“I bet,” I replied. “I hope you pay her extra for the shopping.”