Page 106 of Taming the CEO

Diane laughed. "Why? She's not even here."

"No, but maybe she can sense you declaring how right she is all the time," Nick replied.

I frowned. "I feel like I'm missing something."

Nick stared at me. "It's common knowledge in the family that Gran wants to matchmake all of us."

"Oh, that's right. Maddox did tell me about it," I said as we all walked up the ladder to the zip line.

"You and Maddox better keep her entertained," Leo said seriously once we were on the platform, "because Nick and I do not want her on our case."

I ran a hand through my hair. "I don't even know your gran very well, but I have a feeling she only does what she wants. You can't distract her."

Diane started to laugh. "I completely agree with you." She turned to face the guys. "All of your brothers put up a fight, yet they fell hook, line, and sinker. I don't know why you're even trying."

"We're not just trying," Leo said.

"We're going to succeed," Nick added.

I looked at Diane. "Are they always so sure of themselves?"

"Always," she emphasized. "And Gabe is too."

"That goes for Maddox, too, in case you were wondering," Leo said.

"Oh, I wasn't. I realized that from the second I met him. Although, I wasn't very impressed by that particular quality in the beginning." I grinned.

"Ha, see!" Leo exclaimed triumphantly. "That means Gran wasn't right. You didn't actually like him from the get-go."

"I think your gran works in a more subtle manner," Diane said as if they were debating current news or something. "She always thinks long term, not just about the first meeting. Anyway, I think she's had a hunch from the second Maddox told us about you."

"What exactly did he say?" I asked, now interested in earnest.

"Basically that you roasted his ass," Nick informed me as he tied himself to the zip line.

"And Gran found that amazing," Leo said.

Diane grinned at me. "I think she figured he needed someone to challenge him. And if she asks, I’ll tell her that my honest opinion is that you two need the same."

"Wait, Gran has convos about this with the rest of the family?" Nick exclaimed.

Leo seemed too stunned to speak.

"No," Diane said. "But, you know, just in case she asks, I'm going to be ready with an answer."

Leo stared at her for a beat, then patted Nick's shoulder. "Right, we need to bribe the girls better to be on our side."

Diane and I burst out laughing. This conversation was bizarre, but in the best way possible.

"Yes, you do that," Diane said.

Leo cocked a brow.

"You were riling us up on purpose? Well, damn, I'm impressed," Nick said.

"So am I," I confessed.

"All right, I'll go first," Nick declared.

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