Page 116 of Billion Dollar Revenge

I watch the dads shake hands and then start up easy conversation. My mom takes Eliza and Gram around on a tour. Then the brothers slip away, leaving Evan and me alone.

I don’t know if it’s on purpose, but he doesn’t waste time. “Congratulations. I’m so proud and happy for you.”

His soft gaze and the flowers have my knees buckling. I take the gardenias and smell them, their sweet fragrance filling my senses. Peering at him from under my lashes, I murmur, “Thanks. You didn’t have to.”

“I did,” he replies firmly, his eyes locked on mine.

I lower the bouquet, clutching them in my hands in front of me. “I still can’t believe it’s finally happening.”

“I can. You worked hard.”

His compliments fluster me, and I look away, biting my lip. “You did help.”

“I didn’t do much. This is all you.”

My fingers tighten around the bouquet as my stomach flutters. “Your designer. And you helped me with the booking system.”

“I’m glad I could help,” he says, stepping closer. His closeness sends a shudder through me, and I feel a lump forming in my throat.

My heart bleeds. I want to say,I don’t care about marriage and kids. I want you back.

But the other part of me says,you’ve come so far, don’t let yourself down now.

“I?” he starts, his voice hesitant, as if he’s about to say something important.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Iris says, coming to join us.

I twist to face her. “You're never interrupting.”

“I’ll come back later,” Evan says. My eyes flick to him and watch him walk away to join his brothers.

Returning my attention to Iris, I take in her white mid-length dress with a collar. It’s the perfect style for her. It looks comfortable and yet trendy. Her slip-on shoes add the touch of casual needed for the event. No one is overdressed except for the Lincoln men. All of them are in suits of some kind.

“I love your dress,” I say, needing to tear my attention away from one Lincoln in particular.

“This silly old thing. I’ve had it for years.”

“I know the feeling.”

“It’s nice to see a woman in a blazer. Very classy.”

I shift the bouquet up a little, hiding the small cleavage that's visible from the top.

“I’ve had it for years too.”

In fact, I’ve had these blue jeans and this black blazer since I was twenty.

“What's happening with Evan?”

Uneasiness swarms my body. I’ve not been asked this directly before. How much can I say to his gram?

“Um...”

I sense a pair of eyes on me. Looking over her shoulder, I see him watching us, a deep wrinkle between his eyebrows.

“You can tell me. Is he grumpy?”

My lips part, and I bite back a laugh. “With me, no.”

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