Icing On The Date (The Bannister Brothers #1) by Jennie Marts Page B

like this car.” Looking around the interior, she spied two beautifully wrapped gifts sitting on the back seat. “Wow. Did you wrap those presents?”
    He put the car into gear and sped forward. “I’d like to impress you and say yes. But no. I stopped by to see my folks after I dropped you off, and my mom wrapped them for me. I told you she loves Christmas.”
    “You just stopped by to see your parents today? Why?” She couldn’t think of a time when she voluntarily wanted to stop by her parents’ house. She only went over when she’d been summoned. And then she knew she didn’t have a choice.
    “What do you mean why? Do I need a reason? I just felt like it. My brothers and I stop over there all the time.” He glanced over at her. “Don’t you ever just drop by your folks’ house? Just because you feel like seeing them?”
    She laughed, but not a ‘ funny ha-ha ’ laugh. More like a ‘ are you kidding me right now? ’ kind of laugh. “Not hardly. I only go over there when I have to. I’m not really close to my parents. Especially my step-dad.”
    “Sorry to hear that.”
    She changed the subject, not wanting to talk about her family, or her step-dad. “Do you know what they’re serving for dinner tonight?”
    He shook his head. “No idea. But at five hundred dollars a plate, it should be something good.”
    “Five hundred dollars a plate? Holy cow. I mean it. Seriously—are they serving a holy cow? Dishing up a solid gold-encrusted fatted calf?” Just how much money did an NHL hockey player make?
    He chuckled. “I hope so. That sounds delicious. But it will probably just be plain old steak. Most of the money goes to the charity.”
    They pulled in to the valet line in front of the event center. The rich and famous of Denver spilled out of fancy cars and limousines and paraded up the long red carpet leading to the doors. Cameras flashed as reporters and paparazzi vied for the best shots.
    Her palms started to sweat. What was she thinking? She was completely out of her element. “I didn’t know there’d be so many people here. Look at those beautiful women.”
    Owen slipped her hand into his. “I only see one beautiful woman.”
    There was no way she could walk up that carpet now. She’d just melted into a warm puddle in the seat. Owen’s eyes were on hers, and they only held sincerity. None of his normal flirty charm, just true honest feeling. She swallowed, unable to speak above more than a whisper. “Thank you.”
    “I mean it. Those woman are all going to be jealous of you.”
    She grinned. “Just because I’m on your arm.”
    He reached up and touched the corner of her lip. A chill ran down her spine, and butterflies quivered in her stomach. “No. Because you’re gorgeous, and you look amazing in this dress.”
    “Let me at least carry the gifts. Then I’ll have something to hold on to.” She grabbed the presents from the back seat and crushed them against her chest.
    “You can hold on to me.” The valet signaled him, and he moved forward in the line.
    They pulled up to the red carpet, and he gave her hand another squeeze before the valet opened the car door. Cameras flashed, and she heard murmured questions about who she was. She felt like a movie star as she stepped on to the red carpet. And nervous as hell. Was it too late to jump back in the car and get Owen to take her for pizza and a movie instead?
    She took a tentative step forward.
    Oh God, what if she tripped? Her hands trembled with nerves—then Owen was there.
    His strong arm wrapped around her waist, and he looked down and gave her a heart-stopping grin. “I got you.”
    Yes. He did. He had her heart right in the center of his powerful hand.
    She wasn’t sure exactly when she’d given it to him, but it was his just the same. There was no choice and no going back now. He could crush it or cherish it, but it belonged to him.
    She smiled, leaning against his solid frame, and stood tall as he guided her up the red