Page 81 of VOGUEish

“We go back, you say you took a dreamy walk with me, and everything became crystal clear. It’s me you’re meant to be with.”

“Just like that?”

“Chandler is a dumb fuck. He’ll believe you.” Ryder pulled a ring box out of his pants and opened it. “This should help.”

“Put that away. I can’t take it from you, and I don’t want people see you get turned down.”

He closed the box. “I wasn’t about to truly propose.”

She glanced around for a somewhat private spot and headed that direction. Once there, she sat. “I wish I thought there could be something between us, but there can’t.”

“Sorry about that.” He reached out and took her hand and squeezed. “It was a careless gesture on my part.”

“Why do you have an engagement ring in your pocket?”

“Because your big comeback moment is next weekend. A moment that needs to include a fiancée. Let’s get engaged today, and then we can break it off sometime this summer.”

This was the guy mothers everywhere dreamed of for their daughter. And not because he was rich, but because he was kind. Why wasn’t her heart interested? He’d handle it like it was priceless. “You’re sweet for offering to pretend to be engaged to me, but I’ve had a belly full of deceit lately. Enough is enough.”

“Are you sure? I’m happy to be your friendly hero.” He tugged her across the sand and into the crook of his arm and gave her a noogie.

She laughed. “You’re my hero just by being here. Speaking of which, how did you get here so quick?”

He grinned like a schoolboy. “I hopped on my jet.”

She widened her eyes. “Your jet?”

He wiggled his brows. “It’s a perk of being rich. My partners and I use it for fast getaways.”

“Nice perk.”

“You and I can take it anywhere your heart desires.”

“Are you saying I have a friend with jet benefits?” She liked the sound of that.

“I am.” He took his phone out of his pocket and snapped a photo of the two of them. “This is for Chandler to see. That guy needs to roast in his own juices for a while.”

He posted it with the words: I’m her peanut butter. She’s my jelly.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Chandler awoke with a start. Sometime during the night, he must have fallen asleep. He grabbed his phone. Nothing. Why hadn’t Isabella called? He’d called three times. Was she still with Ryder? Had they gone back to his room? Had she made her choice? Had she chosen Ryder? The thoughts caused his head to pound. He rubbed his temples. There had to be another reason.

His phone ringed. He read the caller I.D. Fuck. “Hello, Nonna.” He tried to keep the sound of disappointment out of his voice.

“What did you do?” she accused.

“What?” He padded barefoot to the kitchen and started the Keurig.

“I know she didn’t just leak this for a big payday. What did you do?”

He rubbed a hand down his stubbled jaw. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. And who the hell is she?”

“Have you read the papers? Looked at any of your socials?”

“Would you stop talking in riddles and tell me what’s got you five-alarm wound up?”

“You’ve been outed. The whole world now knows that the Bully of Manhattan’s Corporate World is the Anonymous in NYC’s Pillar. The guy who saved her at prom and who may or may not have given her a dick pic for some stupid senior rite of passage.”

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