Page 68 of A Billion Dollar Romance
“Nope,” Barrett interrupted firmly, patting Ryan on the back. “We already had theshe’s growing up, I’m getting oldbreakdown after the party, remember?”
“I’m just saying: you should get out there. Maddie’s growing up. What happens when she goes to college?”
“Jesus, Jamie,” Charlie said, laughing. “Six months ago you would have saidwhen she goes to college you’ll have more time for one-night stands,now here you are, Mr. Respectable.”
“That’sProfessorRespectable, don’t forget,” Barrett said, pursing his lips. My own lips twitched.If only he knew.
“The point stands. I don’t know whether I should be impressed or disappointed.”
“Be happy for him, Charlie,” Ryan said. “He’s right. They look good together. And we’re not getting younger.”
“She makes me feel–” I started, but my brother interrupted.
“Donotsay ‘she makes me feel young,’please,” Charlie groaned, and I just shrugged.
“I won’t, then. But she does.” I grinned. “We’re getting interviewed forNew York Weeknext week. They’re coming to my place to take pictures and interview us.”
“What, they want to ask her what it’s like being engaged to the biggest asshole in the city?”
I laughed. “Yeah, something like that. No, they’ll be asking her,who are you wearing?It’ll be adorable when she saysI don’t knowand wants to talk about books instead.”
“Who would have thought–theJames Martin gets himself engaged and the girl canread.”
“And write, even,” I said, and Barrett lifted his glass in an ironic toast. “It’s mostly PR for Verity, of course, but I think if we direct the conversation in the right way, it could be good for her career, too. You know, put her name out there. Help her get a book deal.”
“She still wants to waste her life writing even after having met your miserable ass?”
“Sure, I make it look good.” I leaned back in my chair and grinned, gesturing to my suit. “Now, who wants to play pool? Ryan?”
He sighed. “I do. But…”
“Maddie. Go,” I nodded, as Ryan swigged the last sip of his sad single beer. “Go home to your daughter. But don’t forget what I said.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Ryan griped, pulling his phone from his back pocket and shooting off a text, probably to his driver, or maybe the babysitter:Is Maddie asleep or can I read her a bedtime story?Something cute like that. Did ten-year-olds get bedtime stories?
“I want to see you with a date at my wedding,” I said, and he twisted his head sharply to look at me, a look of surprise on his face for just a moment.
“Yeah,” he said, nodding slowly, the startled expression giving in to one of warmth. “Yeah, okay, James. That sounds good.”
CHAPTER33
Edie
“You’ve been neglecting me, Edie,”Flora accused when I showed up at her door, Thai take-out in one hand, a case of the fizzy water she liked so much in the other. I held them out in front of me.
“I have a good excuse and tofu Pad Kra Pow.”
She eyed my offerings and nodded, stepping aside. “But I’ll forgive you, just this once.”
As we settled onto the couch with our thick blankets and sparkling water and fragrant basil-scented food, I gave her the excuse:
“James and I for real.”
“What?” she asked, her eyes zipping to my ring.
I nodded. “Yeah. I mean, notengaged, but… he asked me to date him. To be his girlfriend.” He had asked me, hadn’t he? The memory made me feel light and fuzzy.
And then he’dtoldme that I would be his fiancée, someday. There had been no question there, and the buoyant fuzzy feeling had swooped into heat.
