Page 42 of Yours to Conquer

“Our relationship has never been about money. I couldn’t careless. I have enough. I live in an amazing house with an amazing man, and he’s not going anywhere. There’s no rush. Besides, there seems to be a fight over who will be my maid of honor.” She makes a funny face at me. “Chris wants to wear the satin. He says he’s got better legs than you.”

“He’s so full of it. He doesn’t shave his legs. He can wear satin to the prom. He has to stand down for the wedding.” I rock my head back and forth and give her a funny face back.

“Prom? Aren’t you a little too old to go to prom?” Roxy asks.

“I never went to mine, so Anthony decided we’re going to hold one so I can experience that rite of passage.”

“I never went to mine either. My dad didn’t want me to date anyone he didn’t vet first.” She looks off into the distance as if she’s reliving a moment in time. “I’d have gone with Bobby Anderson if I were able to attend.”

“Can you get a week from this Saturday off? You can join us for prom. Maybe we can even find Bobby Anderson. I’ll look into it.”

“He’s probably married with three kids by now. I’ll still come. I assume Trevor and Chris are going to be there, right? They’re my biggest tippers, so if they aren’t at Trax, I might as well not go. I love those boys.”

“You have less than two weeks to find a dress for it and a date if you don’t want to go stag. I’ll try to find Bobby, but that’s a pretty common name.”

“You don’t have to find Bobby. Last I heard, he was working for LAPD. I’m not sure he would even remember who I am.”

“Well, we’ll work on it. It’s time for fortune reading. Has everyone finished their cookie?” I pop the last bit into my mouth and chew. “You first, Roxy.”

She unfolds her fortune and busts out laughing. “The fortune you seek is in another cookie.”

“I don’t believe you!” I take it from her and read it myself, and itsays exactly what she said. “That is the funniest thing I’ve ever read. Kat, you’re up.”

She looks at her fortune and melts a little. “You’re guided by silent love and friendship around you.”

“I love that one. Okay, it’s my turn. Mine says… Love is not for the weak of heart.” I tuck my fortune into my wallet as I take my credit card out to pay for dinner. I may have to look at it to remind me of how much I love Anthony when he drives me crazy. Maybe I should give it to him to remind him of how much he loves me.

“That is so true. If someone had told me how much I would go through to get to where I am with Damon, I might have turned and ran. Now that I went through it and survived, I’d do it all over again. He’s worth the journey.”

“Okay, girls, time to go. Thanks for breaking dishes and breaking bread with me.” I sign the charge receipt and tuck my card back into my wallet. “I’m going to my beach house tonight. It’ll be the first time I stay there alone. Keep your phones close just in case I need some support.” I hug my oldest friend first and then embrace my new friend next. Kat gives me a ride to my car, and I am off to Malibu.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

The last few days have passed by quickly. The first night alone in the house was a little spooky. It’s amazing how many sounds you hear when another individual doesn’t distract you.

I found two vases of flowers next to the gate when I came home the first night. Since then, he has had them delivered to the office so I don’t miss them. Everywhere I go smells like fragrant blooms of roses and lilies.

We have talked every night this week. I fall asleep to him telling me how much he loves me, and I wake up to him telling me to have a nice day. Everything seems to be going so well.

Until the appointment reminder came in, I completely put the idea of a pregnancy out of my thoughts and worked on the guest list.

The new numbers are in for the prom. We have over six hundred confirmed couples. We are going to fill the third floor to capacity. The decorations will go up Friday night after the close of business. I’m so excited. It’s not because it’s the prom, but more so because I pulled it off. I wasn’t happy when Anthony dropped this in my lap. I know he did it so I could prove to myself I was capable of more than fetching coffee and proofing ads. He’s a sneaky man.

Just as I reach for the phone to call Kat and tell her I’m heading out, it rings.

“Hello, this is Emma. How may I help you?” I answer, using my most professional voice.

“Hi, Emma, it’s Tom Wakefield.”

Great, just what I need. “Hello, Mr. Wakefield, what can I do for you today?”

“I was just calling to see if you read the article?” There is silence on his end.

“Yes, I read it. Thank you for taking the time to visit and see beyond the rumors.”

“I was hoping maybe we could meet again for coffee. Since you indicated Mr. Haywood’s private life is his own business, I assumed you don’t exclusively see each other.”

My mouth drops open as I look at the phone. It’s not like I can see him through a handset, but I’m shocked he’d be so bold as to call me at work. “I’m flattered, Mr. Wakefield. Unfortunately, I can’t accept. We do see each other exclusively.”

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