Page 274 of The Billionaires

As though sensing my mood, Leo clickety-clacks into the living room, leaps onto the couch, and cozies up to me.

“It will be much better after the hearing,” I tell him. “Piper will spend half her time here.”

Leo yawns.

Piper smells even better than bacon, and I don’t make that comparison lightly.

I hug him and scratch behind his ears, which makes me feel somewhat better.

We hang out like that for a bit before I get a text from Jane.

Headed home soon. Want me to get anything on the way?

I look at Leo. “Want to go for a walk?”

Leo’s eyes gleam excitedly. He jumps from the couch and sprints to the elevator.

I tell Jane that Leo and I will meet her on the way, and then I pack enough food for a small picnic, text an assistant to set up my favorite spot in the park, and head out.

As usual, Leo marks the first couple of trees like the fate of the world depends on it. From there, we walk briskly and catch Jane just as she’s leaving the library.

“Hi,” she says with a smile that lifts my mood and makes me want to kiss her sweetly curved lips.

Leo’s tail wags so hard I half expect his butt to lift off the pavement, helicopter style.

“I’ve missed your yummy smell,” Leo says to Jane.

She cocks her head. “Is that a hint? Should I use more deodorant?”

I grin. “Are you hungry?” I show her the basket.

“A picnic?!” she exclaims. “How very Victorian! I love that.”

My mood improves further, and I offer her my arm. “Let’s go. I know a great spot.”

We walk leisurely, and Jane tells me about her day. When she asks about mine, I feel some of the earlier melancholy return. “The visit was too short,” I say.

Jane squeezes my elbow. “You miss her terribly, don’t you?”

I nod.

“Well, she’s a special baby,” Jane says. “I’ve just met her, and I already miss her. In fact, if it weren’t my second day at the new job, I would’ve totally stayed with you guys.”

“Don’t even worry about it,” I say. “But since you’ve brought up how busy you are with the new job, I wanted to ask you… Do you think you could get away for an hour during lunch?”

“I think so,” she says. “To go where?”

“City Hall,” I say. “To get a marriage license, the couple is required to be there in person.”

She lets go of my arm and stares at me, eyes wide. “Is it time for that already?”

“This is just to get the license, which is valid for sixty days,” I explain. “That way, we have a largish window to actually tie the knot.”

She looks overwhelmed. “When do you want to do that bit?”

“I’m thinking sooner rather than later,” I say soothingly. “Just waiting on advice from my lawyers and the PR firm.”

She rolls her eyes. “How romantic.”

---