Billionaire Romance Boxed Set 2(30)

“So you won’t be working here for much longer, probably. Right?”

I’d actually forgotten about that part. “Yeah, I mean…we haven’t talked about it in a while, but I’ll probably try to wrap up all my projects in the next few weeks so I can focus on planning the big day.” Ugh. Big day? Had I really just said that?

“I’m so happy for you!” Annie settled back down in her chair, thank God. “Is somebody throwing you a bachelorette party? Because my cousin is part-owner of that male strip club down on the ave, I could probably hook her up with a discount group rate.”

“Oh, I don’t…” What was my excuse going to be? I don’t have any friends? That sounded hideous - plus, she might actually offer to throw it for me. That was obviously unacceptable. “…I don’t really go in for that kind of thing.” I fidgeted a little, trying to look as much like a prude as I possibly could. I wasn’t, really, but the idea of a bunch of meatheads gyrating their sweaty pelvises in my face while I sucked down fifteen dollar drinks wasn’t exactly appealing.

Annie looked at me, her eyes narrowed. I needed a better excuse.

I leaned forward, lowering my voice a little. “I just…I don’t really think Daniel would be too happy about it.”

Understanding dawned on her face. “Ohhh,” she said. “Okay. I get it. Little bit of a jealous type, huh?”

I shrugged, smiling a little. “I dunno if I’d say that.”

“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with that! Personally, I think jealousy can be pretty hot.”

Ugh.

Thankfully, the chatter stopped once she fell into that interminable vortex that was her inbox. Florence’s habit of signing up for everything and never remembering to check the “do not email me” box was the inspiration for most of her workday complaints, but for once, her chronically overstuffed email was working in my favor.

I managed to make it until lunchtime with only three more attack-hugs and awkward conversations, and I was able to avoid eye contact on my way to meet Daniel for lunch.

We ordered Chinese food - from the only four-star Chinese restaurant in town, of course. To be fair, it was pretty damn good. And at least it still came in those nice familiar cartons.

“How’s your day going?” Daniel wanted to know.

“Well, Florence tried to offer me a discount on male strippers, so…pretty decent?” I broke an egg roll in half.

“Fantastic,” said Daniel. I thought I saw a brief shadow pass over his face in response to something I’d said - but no - I must have imagined it. “No one’s talked to me yet. I’m not sure why.”

“Abject fear?” I twirled some noodles onto my fork. “Well, I sincerely hope someone offers you a discount on female strippers before the day is out. I wouldn’t want you to miss out on that experience.”

He chewed silently for a moment. “I did talk to my sister earlier. She wants to take us all out to dinner with her husband when they get in.”

“Great,” I said, with a smile that wasn’t even a little bit forced. “I can’t wait to meet her.”

“Really?” He was giving me a look.

“Really,” I said, lightly. “I think it’ll be fun.”

I wasn’t sure why he was unnerved by the idea, but for some reason, that just made me more excited to meet her.

-

I’d hovered over the “relationship status” bar for way, way too long. It was time to make the change.

Then again, I hadn’t told my parents yet.

Then again, was I going to?

I’d been going around in circles like this for ages. I had to make a decision already. As much as I wanted to simply change my status and move on, I knew I needed to tell them first.

It took me five tries to dial the number all the way.

Once it started ringing, I almost lost my nerve and hung up, but instead, I waited.

“Hello?”

“Hi, dad,” I said.

“Oh,” he said, sounding vaguely stunned. “Maddy. Hi. How are you?”

“I’m…I’m good.” I took a deep breath. “Is mom around?”

“Yeah, want me to get her?”

“Could you both get on the phone? I want to tell you something.”

“All right.” He sounded suspicious, but he did what I asked nonetheless. I heard my mom’s voice in another few moments.

“Hi, honey,” she said. “How has everything been?”

“Pretty good,” I said. “I just got engaged.”

Silence reigned for a few seconds. Then, they both started talking at once.

“Who are you-“

“You didn’t tell us-“