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LANA
I stood next to Todd,who made a few jokes he included me in with a light shoulder bump. After he’d given his grandpa a hug, he turned to me.
“Since my rude brother didn’t introduce us, I’m Todd, the better-looking brother.” Todd stuck his hand out and flashed a charming grin at me.
Todd was tall and lean, wearing an impeccably tailored dark grey suit. He had handsome,chiseled featureslike Dylan andshort sandy blonde hairneatly styled into place. While Dylan radiated a rugged, masculine charm, Todd was more polished and refined. Both men were attractive in their own, very different ways.
“I couldn’t just abandon a customer in the middle of a sale,” he said, looking around the room, “or I’d have made it on time.”
Ordinarily, I’d have been a little flustered at how good-looking he was. But I’d just spent half an hour next to Dylan, marveling at how handsome and sexy he was. Even gave him mynumber.
Then I saw his wedding band. At least I dodged a bullet there. I felt bad for his wife, wherever she was.
“Nice to meet you, Todd. My Grandpa James invited me,” I said as I shook his hand. “I’m Lana.”
“Lana. Wow. A gorgeous woman like you comes here and somehow I’ve missed you every time? Life truly isn’t fair,” he said, grinning widely.
From some men, that line would have been an immediate turn-off. It would have been a little too bold and obvious. But Todd’s light tone and smile somehow made it seem charming.
I may have latched onto his charm a little harder than I should have, because focusing on Todd and our grandpas laughing together was keeping me from dwelling on how foolish I felt.
Why did I let myself think someone like Dylan might be interested in meanda decent guy? How often did that happen?
There was usually something wrong with the men who showed interest. And I usually didn’t let my guard down so easily as I had done with Dylan.
But there was something about him that felt familiar. Something that put me at ease.
“So, tell me about yourself, Lana. I’ll bet you’re a creative type,” Todd said, holding his hands up like he was framing me into a photograph. “Artist. Singer. Model.”
I knew how I looked. I was no slouch, but model was pushing it.
I was average height and average build. My thighs rubbed together when I walked and certain areas jiggled with each step in a way I'd been self-conscious about when I was younger. But I'd grown to appreciate my figure over the years.
I knew I was never going to be the type of gorgeous woman who turned every head. But I was confident enough to know some men found me desirable.
“Nailed it in one!” I said, clapping my hands together. “But you probably cheated. Saw me on the covers of last month’s Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Elle, so you knew the answer going in!”
“You caught me.” He winked and laughed. All I could think about was how my breath caught in my throat when Dylan winked at me earlier. “Do you do anything but grace the covers of high-fashion magazines?”
“I work at a diner. You know, for fun. In my spare time, when I’m not attending business and design classes or walking red carpets.” I took a piece of cake a staff member offered me on a tiny paper plate.
“I was right! You’re a creative!” he said, pumping one fist up in victory.
“I think I can guess what you do too,” I admitted.
“Go for it.” Todd stuffed a huge forkful of cake into his mouth.
He’d already said he was in sales. And as smooth as he was, there was no way he was doing sales with small commissions. He seemed like someone who could talk headless people into buying hats. “You sell something expensive. Computer equipment. Solar panels. Or maybe cars. Definitely something high-end.”
Todd made an impressed sound. “You got me. I’m a salesman at the Audi dealership on the south side of town. I guess you’re a model, server, student,anda psychic, huh?”
“I’m going to add that to my resume tonight.” We smiled at each other and ate cake.
Todd leaned in, whispering as if sharing a great secret.
"I won’t tell Dylan, but between us two, who do you find more charming?"
I burst into laughter. "Is this a competition now?"
