Page 89 of Strictly Business

“So,” Annie begins, glancing at me out of the corner of her eye, “how’s work? You must be pretty busy to not tell me you were engaged.”

I freeze for a fraction of a second, then force my shoulders to relax, focusing on folding the dish towel in my hands. “Yeah, I’m so sorry, I had a lot on my mind.”

Annie rinses the dish, setting it in the drainer. “Yeah, I know how busyassistantscan get.”

My hands pause mid-fold, the towel slipping from my fingers. I glance at her, my stomach twisting. “Annie, I—”

“It’s fine,” she cuts me off, holding up a soapy hand. “You don’t have to explain.”

I blink, caught off guard. “I don’t?”

Annie shrugs, rinsing another plate. “I get it. You didn’t want to disappoint Nanna. I mean, I wish you would have told me, but I get it. You’ve always been the one chasing big dreams, and you didn’t want her to think you’d settled for less. It’s not like you’re the only one who’s ever bent the truth to protect her feelings.”

I exhale, a weight lifting off my chest. “You’re not mad?”

“No.” Annie’s smile is small but warm. “But you know you can tell me, right? Whatever it is, you don’t have to deal with it on your own.”

The lump in my throat is back, but this time for a different reason. I nod, my throat moving as I gulp. “How about you? How are you doing?”

“I’m good.” Annie grins, her cheeks tinting slightly pink. “I, uh, started seeing someone.”

My eyebrows shoot up, and a genuine smile breaks across my face. “What? Annie, that’s amazing! Who is it? How long has this been going on?”

Annie rolls her eyes, laughing. “Calm down. It’s new. His name’s Derek, and he’s… nice. You’d like him.”

“I’m so happy for you,” I say, nudging my sister lightly with my elbow.

“And,” Annie adds, “I got a promotion at work. I’m making a little extra money now, so you can stop sending me cash every month.”

I frown, my hands stilling on the damp plate. “Annie, no. Nanna needs that money for her medical bills.”

“She’s doing okay, Amara. Really. I’m making enough to handle us both. And you need it more than we do. I can only imagine how expensive it is to live in New York City. You’ve got rent, food, and—”

I shake my head. “I’m dating a millionaire, Annie. I can afford to give you some money.”

A deep voice interrupts us from the doorway. “Billionaire, baby. With aB.”

Both of us turn to see Nicholas leaning casually against the doorframe, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. Annie bursts into laughter, shaking her head as she dries her hands on a dish towel.

She tosses the towel onto the counter and squeezes my shoulder. “I’ll let you two handle the rest of the dishes.”

Nicholas grins, pushing off the doorframe to step into the kitchen. “Your sister seems great.”

“She’s the best,” I say, unable to help the smile that tugs at my lips.

Nicholas steps closer, picking up a plate from the rack and begins to dry it. “You didn’t tell me you send them money to help out your grandma.”

I stiffen for a second before lifting my shoulder in a shrug. “Well, there wasn’t any reason for me to. It’s not your job to worry about your assistant’s personal life.”

Nicholas sets the plate down and moves closer, his hand slipping around my waist, the intensity in his gaze making my pulse spike. “You’re way more than that, and you know it.”

I try to pull away, shaking my head. “Nicholas. It’s not your problem.”

“Make it my problem,” Nicholas says, his tone serious. “I don’t care about money. I care aboutyou. Let me help with your grandma. Let me make sure your sister isn’t overworked. You shouldn’t have to carry all of this on your own.”

I shake my head, a lump in my throat. “Nicholas, that’s… It’s too much. It’s my problem to deal with. They’re my family.”

He moves closer, the heat of his body and his intense eyes making my chest pound. “They’re your family, yes. But they’re important to me now, too. You don’t have to say yes. But I’m going to help, Amara. Whether you let me or not. You’re my fiancée, and I take care of you, that includes your family.”

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