Page 27 of Strictly Business

So why the hell is having Amara’s soft hand in mine muddling my head?

When her hand tightens in mine, I glance down, catching the flicker of unease in her eyes as she scans the room.

“Are you okay?”

She nods, her throat moving with a gulp as she meets my gaze. “Just feeling a little… out of place,” she admits, her eyes darting around the room again.

I stop, gently cupping her face with my hand and lifting her chin to make sure she focuses on me. “Amara, we’re here to announce our engagement. People will be asking questions, talking about the wedding, taking pictures…”

Her eyes widen, the realization settling in, and I can’t help but stroke her cheek, her lashes fluttering at the touch.

“Are you sure you can handle it?”

She’s quiet for a few seconds, my breath hitching as I wonder if she wants to back out, but she nods. “I’m sure. I can handle it.”

I glance down at her, arching a brow. “I think now’s as good a time as any to announce our engagement.”

Her eyes widen, the tension returning immediately. “Wait. You want to do that now?”

I give her a reassuring look. “We can’t avoid it forever. The sooner we do it, the sooner it’s done.”

She takes a deep breath, the uncertainty still lingering in her eyes. I can’t blame her. It’s strange for both of us, but we’re in this together.

I scan the room briefly, catching the event coordinator’s attention with a quick nod. The music dips, and the room quiets, everyone’s attention shifting toward us.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” I begin. “If I could have your attention for a moment.”

The room settles, conversations fading as eyes turn in our direction. Amara shifts beside me, her hand tightening around mine. I glance down at her, offering a reassuring smile. She gives me a small, nervous one in return, her eyes flicking around the room before focusing on me.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to share something important,” I continue. “I’m proud to announce that Amara and I are engaged.”

I can hear Amara’s breath catch beside me, so I squeeze her hand gently, trying to calm her.

“We’re excited to begin this next chapter,” I add, making sure my gaze stays on her, offering her the assurance she needs. “And we wanted to share the news with all of you.”

The room goes quiet for a moment, the silence almost heavy. I can feel people waiting for more, and a hint of doubt crosses my mind, wondering if people can see through us, and know this is nothing but a ruse.

Then someone calls out from the back. “Congratulations!”

A ripple of applause follows, and the room shifts again. People start chatting, drinks are raised, and the music returns softly to the background. The tension in the air—and my shoulders—begins to lift.

The room starts to pick up again, people talking and laughing, and I lean in closer to her. “You okay?”

She looks up at me, offering a small smile. “I think so,” she replies. “That wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”

I nod, relieved. “I guess it’s official now.”

“Yeah.” Her lips twitch into a slight smile. “I’m engaged.”

“Partly,” I add with a playful grin, reminding her—and myself—that it’s all just for show.

She lets out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. “Right.”

“Blackwood.”

I look up, spotting Robert Crestwell raising his hand in greeting. He finishes his conversation and makes his way toward us with his wife.

“Robert Crestwell is on the board,” I whisper, lowering my voice as I pull my hand from her face and place it lightly at the small of her back. “You might remember him. He’s the one with the incessant pen tapping.”

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