Page 115 of A Flighty Fake Boyfriend
“I should have done some research and found out for myself,” I admitted as I glanced from one to the other. “This is just weird. Epic, you’re the image of your grandmother.”
“I know. I’m going to be almost as gorgeous as she is someday.”
“That's my silly boy talking,” said his blushing grandma.
“And”—Epic raised his hands—“you can totally see how this is pure coincidence, right? I didn’t even know you when the list of awardees went out.”
“And now you’re working together.” Mrs. Alsop took his hand in hers. “I’m so proud of you, sweetheart.”
I leaned forward. “Mrs. Alsop—”
“Call me Violet, please.”
“Violet.” I tasted the name. It was very much like Epic’s-–fitting and fun. “It’s a real pleasure to meet you. Epic talks about you so often that I feel like I almost know you.”
“Same,” she said. “Epic has been very impressed by what you accomplish at StolenLives. My daughter Chloe pressed for a different career path for him, but I think ultimately, Epic would never have found what he’s looking for in finance. He’s always been a crusader. He’s so much like my Charlie.”
“Tell me about him.”
“Oh, you don’t want to listen to me talk tonight. We’ll have lots of chances to get acquainted. I need to get back to my adoring public, and you need to go off and do whatever it is young people do. I’m afraid I can only vaguely remember…but Charles and I used to—”
“Ew, Grandma.”
“I’m flattered,” I said, “but I’m hardly young people.”
“Compared to me you are.” She patted my hand. “Age is only a number. Ask Epic. He can manipulate those to do whatever he likes.”
I laughed because he could do that with me too.
I got to my feet when she did. “You are as unconventional as he is, aren’t you?”
“I enjoy being the local oddball, if that’s what you mean. I’m the one Epic gets that from.”
“I can’t wait to learn more. Do you think you could join us for breakfast in the morning?”
“I’d be delighted. Epic, text me a time and place. I’ll see you then.” She gave a little wave and then sailed back into the ballroom—a flagship for beautiful women of any age, anywhere.
“Is Violet the reason your parents are Alsop-Gray and you only go by Alsop?”
“I didn’t want to be hyphenated for the rest of my life.” He put his hands on his knees. “Chloe and Steven didn’t mind after a while. They both adore her, despite the fact that she undermines them with me.”
“She loves you very much.”
A smile lit his features. “She’s going to love you too. I promise.”
“I hope so.”
“There’s no doubt. She said you reminded her of ‘her Charlie.’ There could be no higher praise.”
I swallowed a sudden tightness in my throat. “I love you, Epic.”
He bit his lip. “I know. Same goes.”
“I know.” I didn’t need him to say the three little words out loud yet. Or ever. He showed me through every word and every action how he felt about me—about us.
With the banquet out of the way and me finally away from the public eye, it was natural to breathe a sigh of relief.
Epic and I sat with our knees bumping, holding hands. My heart was full, and my mind empty. The pilot light within me—my obsession with work—hadn’t gone out, but when Epic was around, he helped me make more efficient use of my “fuel.”
