Page 38 of King of Deception

“And yet, you’re not interested.”

He slowly exhaled as if something was weighing down on him. “Do you think there’s more to these people than money?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean… my father always said, ‘Don’t only work for the financial reward. Find something greater, and that’s how you’ll really excel.’ Do you think he was right?”

“Definitely. I just wish I could say I’m applying that to my life.”

“You’re not?”

“Don’t get me wrong. I understand the importance of my job. I just…” slowly shaking my head, I felt lost for words.

“What’s the first thing you’d do if you got that promotion?” he surprised me with the question.

My lips parted, and I hesitated.

He lightly chortled, “Believe me, nothing you say will shock me.”

We were approaching a vacant bench, so I hastened my steps, sitting down. He settled next to me, and I shifted closer, letting our shoulders touch. “Maybe I’ll get you something nice.”

Grinning, he turned to me. “Like what?”

“I don’t know,” I shrugged. “What’s an item you think is overpriced but have always wanted?”

“I can’t tell you.”

“Why not?”

“Letting you pay for dinner was one thing… letting you buy me stuff—”

“Are you serious? C’mon—”

“It’d be a little weird, don’t you think?”

“I really don’t. Why is it acceptable for men to buy women all sorts of things?”

“Because…” his mouth remained open. “Um—”

“Exactly.”

Shifting to face me, he took a big bite and stared at my face as he savored it. He then narrowed his eyes. “What if your place is larger than his?”

“Who is he?”

“I don’t know,” he shrugged. “Your future husband?”

The fact that he was talking to me about that woke up all the butterflies in my stomach, letting them flutter inside of me. My smile grew a little wider. “Then he’ll move in with me.”

“What if he doesn’t have a car?”

“We’ll share mine.”

“Gifts on Valentine’s Day?”

“We’ll set a budget limit.”

“Vacations?”

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