She grinned at him, looking like an unexpected weight had lifted from her shoulders. He hoped he wouldn’t disappoint her. He still needed to look over the plans on how to integrate ECT into Paradigm Technologies. He knew that Lucy was interested in making the most money as quickly as possible. It was why she made such an excellent right hand man, so to speak.
“So, tell me more about being a teacher,” he said to Holly, changing the subject. “How much did you bribe the kids to nominate you? Cookies? Gold star stickers? An extra minute at recess?”
Holly laughed at his joking tone. “I actually didn’t know I was even nominated until the phone call came,” she admitted. “I had heard of the award, but I’m just doing what I know how to do. I’m not that exceptional.”
Nathan had to disagree about that. Everything about this beautiful woman was exceptional.
“I’m actually really glad I won,” she said, looking down and then up at him through her long lashes. “I got to come here and meet you.”
Nathan had heard his share of pickup lines in his life. As a billionaire, there were always trophy-wife-want-to-bes and women looking for an easy life. Some went the route of looking sexy. Others used their intelligence.
This didn’t feel like he was being used. This was a compliment. It was honest and heartfelt. Corny, yes, but wonderful at the same time. The slight pink in her cheeks as she said it made it all the better.
He held up his champagne glass. “Cheers to that.”
She grinned, tapping her glass against his. They both sipped at the champagne and smiled.
Nathan wanted to ask her more about her classroom and her students, but it was time for another speech. He wasn’t giving this one, but it would be rude to whisper and giggle with Holly while someone presented another award and explained more about where donations went to help children and educators succeed.
Dinner continued, filled with speeches that interrupted his conversations with Holly. He never did like these speeches, and now they dragged on into eternity. The thing that made it bearable and torture at the same time was the fact that Holly sat next to him.
Finally, the dinner and eternal speeches ended. It was now time for the reception. Even before Nathan had met Holly, this was the part of the evening that made the speeches worthwhile. This was where the party happened.
Everyone stood from their chairs and scattered into the comfortable room. Live music started to play. The bar made more drinks. There were several casino-type tables set up for guests to play with pretend money. Dealers for blackjack, roulette, craps, and even poker filed into the room and stood ready to entice the players.
The chips would be fake, but the buy-ins were real. All the money went to the charity and the donors left with fabulous prizes and a tax-write off for their business.
Meanwhile, hotel staff cleared the dinner tables, replacing them with smaller cocktail areas and comfortable seating. The lights dimmed and candles were lit. The sounds of merrymaking and Christmas songs filled the room.
“This is amazing,” Holly whispered, watching as Merryweather directed several employees on where to put the tables. The room magically transformed from a dining area into a comfortable lounge in a matter of moments.
“You having fun?” he asked her.
She nodded. “But I do need another drink.”
“Let me buy you a drink,” he replied, offering his arm and guiding her toward the bar. His heart skipped a beat at her giggle and the way she wrapped her arm around his. It wasn’t often that a woman had this effect on him. In fact, it had been a long time since he’d felt this level of excitement toward a woman at merely the touch of her hand.
She ordered more champagne and wandered around the room. He didn’t want to go to the casino tables. Most of the guests had headed in that direction, crowding the tables and shouting with pleasure when they won or lost.
It would be difficult to carry on a conversation there, and that’s what he found himself wanting to do with Holly.
“Nathan. Wonderful speech.”
Nathan turned to see a friend of his, coming to greet him.
“Graham? What are you doing here?” Nathan asked, giving the man in a tux a warm hug. Graham was slightly shorter than Nathan with lighter hair and eyes. As they were of a similar age, they’d found themselves friends.
“My secretary said I have to start doing more positive PR,” Graham replied, rolling his eyes. “Apparently, just launching rockets isn’t enough anymore.”
Nathan chuckled. “Graham, I’d like to introduce you to Holly Jones. She earned this years’ award. Holly, this is my friend Graham.”
Graham held out his hand and shook Holly’s with a firm grip. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. What grade did you say you teach?”
“Second grade,” Holly replied.
“What age is that?” Graham asked her.
“Seven to eight years old,” Holly answered. “It’s an amazing age.”