“Hey! It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other. Do you mind if I get a picture of all of us together?” Holly asked. When Jade nodded her agreement, Holly went into action. “Come on, move over here.” Despite attendees walking in and out of the booth, Holly directed Jade and Lauren to stand in front of the fairy lights.
Knox stood to the side, his arms folded across his chest, his gaze on Jade, causing the awareness she already had of him to multiply.
“You, too, Knox! Come on.” Holly grabbed his hand and pulled him across the floor. “Stand here.” She nudged him between Jade and Lauren.
His broad shoulder rubbed against Jade’s arm, and her nipples puckered in reaction.
“I don’t think it’s necessary for me to be in the photo,” Knox said, his voice gruffer than before. Had their touch affected him too?
She didn’t want him to duck out so she touched his shoulder. “Stay. You’ll be good PR for the hotel.”
Holly nodded. “See? Now step back.”
“I can take the picture,” Layla offered, placing her book on a stool.
Holly smiled. “That would be great. I want to put it on my Instagram.” She handed Jade’s sister her cell phone.
“As long as we’re doing this, can you make sure to get the hotel and business logo in the photo?” Jade gestured to the Meridian Hotel Events sign.
A few minutes and several photo attempts later, they had the money shot, and everyone was happy with the end result. Holly immediately posted the picture and tagged them all. Lauren walked across the booth to talk to a woman who’d been waiting patiently to ask a question, and Layla settled back onto her chair to read.
“Before we go, I want to enter the giveaway,” Holly said. She stepped over to the table with the forms and filled out her entry.
Jade stood with Knox, and he looked away from Holly to meet her gaze. “How have you been?” he asked.
She assumed he was referring to getting past the heartbreak they’d both experienced. “I survived Theo, if that’s what you’re asking.”
He shook his head. “That’s not what I meant. How are you?” Those gorgeous hazel eyes studied her intently.
“I have work, friends, close family. I’m good,” she answered honestly.
His smile warmed her. “I’m glad.”
“All set.” Holly joined them before she could ask how he’d been. “I’ll be calling you to book when you’re free… and to see if something opens up.”
Jade nodded. “Sounds good. I’ve missed you,” she said.
“Me, too.” Holly tipped her head to the side. “Do you have dinner plans when the expo is over? We should all go out, right?” she asked, nudging Knox not too subtly with her elbow.
Jade bit the inside of her cheek. At this point, she was certain Holly was trying to push her together with Knox. Which would be as awkward as it sounded, and she assumed he felt the same way.
“Why not?” Knox surprised her by saying. “I’m free.”
Holly’s eyes lit up. “Jade?”
She hesitated but saw the sincerity and hope in Holly’s eyes. Since Knox also wanted to see her again, she decided one dinner couldn’t hurt. “Sure. I should be able to make it around seven thirty, if that’s okay? Somewhere mid to uptown would be easiest.”
“Not a problem. Holly will make a reservation since it was her idea.” His sexy lips turned up in a grin.
“How many people are we? Lauren, can you make it?” Holly asked.
“Sorry,” Lauren said, as she joined them. “I have plans.”
Jade wished her friend could be there to act as a buffer against Knox. The man’s sex appeal was potent, and Jade would have appreciated Lauren’s support in her battle against Holly’s obvious matchmaking intentions. Then again, Lauren might hop on the set-Jade-and-Knox-up bandwagon.
“How about your sister?” Holly tipped her head toward Jade’s quiet younger sibling.
Jade shook her head. “My parents are picking her up later this afternoon.”