Page 62 of How to Marry the Boss

“Well, you’d be happy to know KH Industries didn’t burn down while you were gone. No issues in terms of projects. It was more work than I’m used to but not too bad.”

“Good. Good.” He clears his throat. “Like we talked about, I listened to your voicemail. Everything okay? It seemed pretty urgent.”

I sigh. “It’s something…I should have told you a long time ago.”

Jonathan leans back, seemingly cautious. “Did you get a woman pregnant or something?”

“No, nothing like that. Though, it is about a woman.”

“Are you thinking about settling down?” Jonathan leans forward again. “Who is she?”

“She’s…someone you know, and who we’ve known for a long time.”

“Why all the suspense, Hall?”

I want to tell myself it’s for him, but I’m starting to think it’s more for me. Somewhere deep down I think if I can delay this news, he can at least feel normal for just a bit longer. But I know that doesn’t help anything either.

“Because I’m not sure how you’ll react.” Who am I kidding? I know damn well how he’ll react. “I’m in love with Mia. And I’ve been in love with her for a while. I’ve wanted to tell you for years, but I wasn’t sure how to say it. Especially when you were so adamant that no one in our friend group should pursue her.”

There is—what feels like—a long silence between us. Should I brace for the angry expression, murderous eyes, and punch in the face, gut, and balls? I might as well.

Eventually, he slowly nods as though processing this information.

I continue. “Until she got back from college, until she was an adult, I’d kept my distance. And the last thing I want is for this to ruin our friendship?—”

Jonathan interrupts. “I knew.”

He what? “Y-you knew?”

He nods. “I’ve known for years. And I knew well before she left for college. It wasn’t hard to notice your glances at each other.” He chuckles. “I didn’t like it at first, but as time went on, I saw how you still protected her even when you couldn’t have her. I respect and thank you for that.”

Is this an illusion, or is this all real? “Why didn’t you say something?”

He shrugs. “Honestly? I was waiting for you to tell me. I knew you’d be scared shitless, like you are now, and waited for you to make a move. I didn’t want to out you like that, man.”

“So you’re okay with me pursuing her?”

“More than okay.” He smiles. “Those rules I made then were for a teenager so she wouldn’t find herself heartbroken and in trouble. But those days are long over. If you want her, go get her. You’re my best friend. If I could trust anyone to take care of her, it’s you. I know you’ll treat her the way she deserves to be treated.”

I pause. I know now those rules were null and void a long time ago. “Do you think I have a shot?”

“Saying you have just ‘a shot’ would be an understatement. You’ve been her crush for a long time. She’s never said anything, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have eyes.”

All this time, I’ve been wondering what this conversation would be like. Who knew all I had to do was say something. I’d only thought about the worst possible scenario, rightfully so, only to find out he knew and was okay with it since she became an adult.

“Then do I have your blessing to ask her to marry me?” I tease.

Although, the thought of Mia in a white dress and bouquet of flowers in her hands while making her way to me gets meexcited. And then the thought of her barefoot and pregnant with my babies comes to mind. Putting those two thoughts together has me hard as hell.

But I can’t get ahead of myself. There’s still one more part of the equation I have to take care of.

“Baby steps, man. Make your relationship with my sister official first. Then we’ll talk about a blessing.”

I laugh. “Will do. Thanks, brother.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Mia

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