Page 17 of Merging with the Billionaire

“I think all of you have done enough patting yourselves on the back,” Roger teased. “Though I have to admit, my wife is very lucky to have such great friends.” His face scrunched up in surprise for a moment. “That’s the first time I’ve called you my wife,” he said, kissing Celeste.

“And how does it feel? Please tell me you like the sound of it,” Celeste jested in return.

“Good, really good,” Roger confirmed with a nod. “Best decision I ever made.”

Bryce chuckled. “Never thought I would see the day that Roger Boswell was not only officially off-the-market, but happy about it.”

“It just takes the love of a good woman,” Roger explained.

“I couldn’t agree more,” the unwelcome voice of Artie Frankhurst agreed from behind her.

Tiffany let out a sigh, turning around to face her ex. “What do you want?”

“I was hoping you would want to dance, or at the very least talk with me for a bit.”

“No, that’s not going to happen,” Tiffany rejected his offer firmly. “There’s nothing left to say. It’s why I blocked your number and all your social media accounts.”

“And banned me from entering your office and apartment building. Geez, Tiff, you’re treating me like I’m a stalker.”

Her eyebrows arched as she shrugged. “You said it, not me.”

“I only want you to give me a chance to explain what happened,” Artie begged, reaching out to touch her. “You shouldn’t throw away what we could have over something so trivial.”

Tiffany shrank back, giving him a dirty look.

Roger stepped forward and between them. “Look, Artie, I know your family was invited to my wedding by my parents, but it’d be best if you leave now.”

Artie’s face scrunched up in hurt and anger. “Roger, we’re old friends. I can’t believe you don’t want me at your wedding.”

“Considering how you treated my sister, you shouldn’t be surprised that our friendship is over,” Roger explained.

Artie hung his head and turned around to leave.

Out of the corner of her eye, Tiffany noticed that Conrad was watching them from a distance. Did Conrad know what was going on? Could he tell Artie was her ex? She hadn’t expected to see Conrad at the wedding and wasn’t even sure what to think of it. Pushing both men out of her mind, she turned her attention back to the rest of the bridal party.

Everyone spent the next hour eating and talking, then it was time for toasts, followed by the cake cutting, the first dance, and finally the garter and bouquet toss. By the end of the whirlwind of activity, Tiffany was exhausted, and decided to take a seat when Roger and his groomsmen grabbed Celeste and her bridesmaids for dancing.

“You sure you don’t want to join us on the dance floor?” Celeste coaxed. “I’m sure any number of the eligible men around here would love to dance with you.”

Tiffany shook her head. “I’m good. I’d rather just watch from here.”

“How about your father? Are you willing to let me whirl you around the dance floor?” Boswell Senior asked as he came up to the group.

“Are you feeling up to it, Dad?”

“I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t,” her father said reaching out his hand to her. “Don’t know how many more I have in me, so I should take advantage of it while I can.”

Tiffany took his hand and let him guide her onto the glowing dance floor in the middle of the room. “You look very pretty today, Tiffany.”

“Thank you,” she replied, still a little surprised at the compliment.

“I have something I wish to discuss with you…”

It figured. Her father never paid her a compliment, so it was just a way for him to diffuse her before he blasted her with either a criticism or a correction.

“Dad, today has been a long day. If you need to talk with me about something to do with work, can it wait until Monday?”

“No, this has nothing to do with work,” her father corrected. “I want to discuss Conrad Gaines.”

---