Page 54 of Rating the Book Boyfriend

The other ten people rise, and each of them acknowledges me with a nod or a pat on the shoulder as they pass.

“I like the idea, son,” Carlos Garcia, our head of marketing, says, firmly squeezing my bicep. “Going back to the basics. Every store we’ve built recently has gotten bigger and bigger, and I don’t like it. We seem to be getting away from what the founders wanted.”

“Thanks, Carlos,” I tell him, and he gives me a small smile before exiting, leaving me alone with my sister.

“Fuck Leo,” Silvia says loyally. “Once he retires and you take over, we’ll build that store.”

She wraps me in a solid hug, and I kiss the top of her head.

Lucinda is wearing a baby-pink dress that drapes dramatically off one shoulder when I pick her up on Thanksgiving morning. “You look nice,” I tell her out of habit.

“You too. Very handsome,” she says, stroking one hand down the lapel of my charcoal-gray suit jacket. I’m wearing matching pants, a white shirt, and no tie.

We make the short drive to Nana’s in silence. After pulling into the driveway, I grab the food from the backseat, open Lucinda’s door for her, and we walk side by side up the steps.

Normally, I would hold her hand, but I just can’t bring myself to touch her today, not knowing I’m hopefully going to break up with her this weekend. I honestly don’t think she’ll be too upset. Her interest in me has dwindled for almost half a year, except for yesterday. I still don’t know what the hell that was about.

Since my hands are full, she rings the doorbell before reaching into her Gucci bag and pulling something out. Then she stuffs it into my front pants pocket.

“Do it during dessert,” she hisses a second before the front door opens. “Vera, Happy Thanksgiving!” Lucinda greets my mother with enthusiasm.

Vera Romero looks beautiful in a beige Chanel dress that hits just below her knees. She’s tall and dark-haired, with only a few streaks of gray near her temples.

“Happy Thanksgiving, dear,” she says, before turning to me and beaming. “And how’s my handsome son?”

“I’m good, Mom.” I give her an affectionate kiss on the cheek. “I brought your favorite.”

My mother gives me a giddy smile. “Ohh, I do love your manicotti. Let me take that into the kitchen for you. Go say hi to everyone.” She removes the glass pan from my hands, and we make our way into the living room.

My father, Sergio, greets us and steps behind the black, leather-topped bar. He fancies himself as the designatedbartender and pours us both a drink. Leo and I exchange cool nods, and Uncle Roberto, my dad’s younger brother, gives me a merry wave.

“Where’s Frank?” I ask him, referring to his only child.

“He’ll be along. I’m sure he’s running late because he has the little one by himself today.”

“Theresa’s working?” My cousin’s wife is an emergency room nurse, and she often has to work holidays.

“Yep. He was trying to get Allegra’s shoes on her feet when I talked to him about fifteen minutes ago.”

We chuckle. Frank and Theresa’s three-year-old is full of sass and energy. Sticking my hand in my pocket, I frown when I remember Lucinda putting something in there on the porch. It seems to be a small square wrapped with paper.

“I need to run to the bathroom,” I say as Dad fires up the blender. I exit to the hallway and walk quickly to the powder room two doors down.

“What is this?” I whisper, pulling the object from my pocket. A sheet of computer paper is folded around…what the fuck?

Setting my drink and the paper on the vanity, I open the velvet box to find the biggest diamond ring I’ve ever seen. An engagement ring, to be exact.

“She’s got to be fucking kidding me,” I mutter as my mind tries to process. I slug back the rest of my bourbon before picking up the paper and reading the typed words.

HOLIDAY PROPOSAL

As soon as dessert is served, get down on one knee with our families surrounding us. Say the following:

My dearest Lucinda, from the very first time I saw you, I knew you were the one for me. Your beauty is indescribable, but your warm heart is what captured my own. The love I have for you burns from within my soul, and I can’t wait tospend my life with you. I’ll strive every day to make you the happiest?—

My eyes dart from side to side, and I stop reading about halfway down the page, and a boulder of alarm sits heavy in my gut.

Lucinda expects me to propose to her.

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