Free Happily Ever Afton by Kelly Curry Page A

Lanford…Ryan Crenshaw,’ he made the quick introductions, ‘what are you doing here?’ He pinned on a smile, ‘I wasn’t expecting to see you tonight.’
    ‘My sister is one of the curators at the museum and she got me a ticket at the last minute,’ he said proudly. ‘I hope you don’t mind, sir,’ Ryan added suddenly anxious, ‘I mean I did stay at work until my usual quitting time.’
    Cooper gave a forced laugh. ‘Why would I mind? You’re certainly free to come and go as you please, Ryan.’ He took a needed gulp of champagne and Afton took the opportunity to lean in and ask a question of her own.
    ‘Are you a teller too?’ She looked startled when her question sent Ryan off into gales of laughter.
    ‘That’s a good one, Miss Lanford!’ His bright red head nodded up and down appreciatively, ‘but seriously, it’s been such an honor working with Mr. C—’
    ‘Afton,’ Cooper twirled her away in the opposite direction before Ryan could utter his name, ‘did you see the original painting by Monet over in this exhibit?’ He whisked her quickly away to the European Art gallery as Afton looked over her shoulder to give a befuddled and abruptly deserted Ryan a wave.
    ‘That was kind of rude, Cooper, and what was up with all the ‘sir’ stuff anyway?’
    ‘Just an inside joke we have at the bank,’ he murmured, mildly alarmed at how good he was becoming at deception. ‘Er…why don’t we go take a look at the sculptures,’ he hustled her along to the relative safety of the nearly deserted Greek and Roman gallery where just a few couples mingled among divine works created by mystically talented sculptors from centuries past.
    As Afton marveled at a soaring sculpture of an ethereal angel perched on a glass-domed pedestal, Cooper marveled at her instead, finding it uncanny how much her profile resembled that of the exquisitely carved one above her. He enjoyed viewing both heavenly creations and found himself contemplating Afton more than the masterpiece, wondering if her body could inspire a man to capture it for an eternity, if the skin beneath her dress would be as faultless as the nude female form carved from pale marble. Feeling himself getting a little too hot and bothered, Cooper took a sip of his champagne before quietly suggesting they continue on through the silent row of statues.
     
    Afton held Cooper’s arm as they circled several more iconic sculptures. When they stopped at a reproduction of the statue of David, Afton found she felt a little warm and flustered gazing up at the stunning masterpiece, the towering nude male depicted in powerful, graceful lines and perfect planes and proportions – much like the tall man standing so closely beside her.
    Was he that impressive unclothed?
    She took a needed sip of champagne to steady herself, draining her glass and Cooper attentively replaced it with a fresh one supplied by a passing waiter. He was just suggesting to her they find their table in the museum’s entry hall where a formal dinner would be served, when Afton peeked around his shoulder, muttering beneath her breath, ‘look out – iceberg straight ahead,’ in homage to one of her favorite movies.
    Cooper glanced curiously around at her comment, stiffening beneath her hand after also spying Katherine sailing straight towards them. The iceberg analogy very apt as she wore a crystal-encrusted silver gown, hair piled high in an elaborate creation, blue-frosted eyes shooting them both a stare of black ice. She was accompanied by a formally dressed, startlingly attractive man with wheat-colored, subtly highlighted hair contrasting with a dark manmade , Afton judged, tan.
    Cooper cursed beneath his breath appearing to recognize him.
    ‘Good evening, Cooper,’ Katherine conveyed a haughty greeting sweeping to a stop with a rustle of her gown in front of them. ‘I wasn’t sure if you would be here tonight, since we were originally supposed to attend this event together ,’ she