Page 28 of The Bride's Billionaire

Ah, the after-this-week conversation. He hoped that’s what this was. “Yes. Texas?”

“Yup. I wonder if this will be as magical on the boring, flat plains of Texas?”

He sat forward, pleased at the direction of her comments. “Well now, we won’t be riding bikes along the beach, and I don’t know you as well as I would like to––yet––but I would guess you could make even a typical chain restaurant magical.”

Her eyes sparkled. “I don’t know. We might go back to our lives and realize this isn’t what we thought.” A hint of worry lingered.

He inclined his head in acknowledgment. “It’s possible.” But then he shook his head. “Nope, not seeing it.”

She laughed and stood. “I guess time will tell.”

Their phones rang at the same time. Pulling them out, hers saidMr. de Santos, and hisRogerio.

His heart pounded. “Oh boy. Here it comes.”

“They said they won’t know…”

“But it’s at the same time.”

“Well, we have to answer.”

They both slid the answer button at the same time.

Rogerio laughed into his ear. “Tyler, my man. It was so great to hear your pitch. You are one professional. Blew us away with your presentation.”

A pleased warmth filled him. He turned and stepped away from Kayla.

“We want to invite you to a dinner with the board and upper management tonight. Congratulations are in order!”

“Excellent. I’d love to be there.” Did this mean he’d gotten the bid? He couldn’t tell. Maye they would announce it at the dinner?

Rogerio mentioned last night’s soccer win and after a moment of chatting, he hung up, telling Tyler that he was looking forward to that evening.

Tyler clutched the phone, staring out at the ocean. If his phone call was this positive, Kayla’s had to be a disappointment. He gave her a minute before he turned around.

But she came up beside him and put a hand on her arm. “Are you okay?”

His gaze lowered to hers, confused. Warm caring poured out of her face, and a hint of victory. “Yes, that was good news, I think?”

“It was?” Her eyes widened, filled with relief.

“Yeah, and…yours?”

“Great news. I’m to go to a dinner tonight with the board.”

“And upper management?”

“Did you get the same invite?” Her forehead wrinkled in surprise.

“I did.” Tyler frowned, pleased and confused. “What are they up to?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know, but I’m thinking about wearing that white dress again. You don’t mind?”

“Mind? Seeing you in that number would make my night.” He pocketed his phone. He’d never been in business negotiations like these, and he didn’t know what to make of it. “The good news? We still have all afternoon to enjoy ourselves.”

“And the bad news?”

He shrugged. “I can’t think of any.”

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