Page 145 of His Fury

“No one said that,” he said, throwing his hands in the air. “I didn’t know you and he were…stepping out.”

I blinked.What the hell?

“Stepping out?” I grinned. “It’s not the 1920s now, Gerard, you can say?—”

“Please don’t say fucking.”

My jaw dropped. “Um…I wasgoingto say dating, but if you want the details?—”

“No!” His hand flew to his cravat as if it were a string of pearls. “Please, God, Isla…no.”

I folded my arms as I fought to maintain a cross appearance with my boss. “You done?”

He nodded contritely.

“My personal life does not interfere with my ability to do my job. Elixir was short-staffed last night for a huge party and they needed an extra pair of hands. Is that a problem?”

He shook his head.

“Okay, do you have a problem with me or Zayn?”

He shook his head again.

“Gerard?” I coaxed, and he looked at me with guilt.

“He’s notoriously…bad.”

My smile broke through. “Yeah, he is.” I crossed the floor to leave, pausing at his side. “And Iloveit.”

I left him standing in my office and ducked into the first empty room I came across. I dissolved into a fit of giggles. I would have put money on the fact Gerard didn’t curse. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and texted Zayn.

Gerard just tried to lay down the law about me and you.

Tell him to come see me

I’ll tell you the whole thing later, but he just said FUCKING – the speed my jaw hit the floor!!!!

My phone rang, and I answered with a grin. “Hi.”

“I’m going to need the context to this conversation.” Zayn’s tone was dry.

I quickly relayed it to him, calming him down when I told him of Gerard’ssilliernotions. “Zayn, I can handle Gerard. Anyway, think of him as a disapproving father or something equally grumpy, but he adores me, so he’s harmless. You’ll win him around.”

“Speaking of fathers…”

I felt the tone shift. “Yeah?”

“Your mom and dad like it in Florida?”

He sounded far too casual. “Yes, they do.” I glanced at my watch. “They’ll be playing couples golf as we speak.”

“Oh, I know.” He sounded smug. “Your dad complained I interrupted his tenth holemojowhen I called to ask him for his blessing to marry you.”

“You did what?”

“Last night, I told the police you were my fiancée.” He tutted. “I lie a lot, Is. But I’m not a liar when it comes to you.”

I wasn’t sure if I was going to laugh or cry. “Are you proposing to me?” I swallowed hard. “Over thephone?”

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