Page 149 of The Elusive Billionaire
“What the hell is going on?”
“It’s a whole thing,” I say. “This is their last act as outgoing king and queen. They get to crown you before the sweetheart ceremony.”
“The entire town is in on this?”
“Yup.”
Cora and Mike stand in front of us, dressed ready for a prom.
“Doesn’t the town have any other form of entertainment?” Grey mutters under his breath.
“Just us,” I say with a smile. “Hi, Cora. Hi, Mike.”
“Hi, Miss Savvy. Mr. Greyson, are you ready and willing to take on the role of most eligible bachelor?” Mike asks.
“I am,” Grey says seriously.
“And do you promise to make the fair your top priority?” Cora smiles up at him. Girl, I get it.
“Ah, sure.”
“Do you promise to do whatever necessary to ensure that Miss Savvy feels like a queen this weekend?” Mike was captain of the lacrosse team last year. He’s a good kid with a good heart, but he eyes Grey as though he’s suspicious of him, and I smile.
This town has my back.
Grey grabs hold of my hand. “Always.”
“Do you promise to uphold the traditions and responsibilities that come with this title?” Cora might actually swoon at Grey’s feet soon.
“Of course.”
I can’t believe Grey is taking this all so seriously, especially when these kids are just trying to get this over with so they can get to the good part of their evening.
“Then by the power gifted to me by the royal court of Happiness, I now pronounce you Happiness’ most eligible bachelor.” Mike places the crown onto Grey’s head as all the kids in the driveway pop confetti poppers.
Silly string, paper string, anything that sparkles and shines flies into the air.
“It’s like a wedding.” Grey chuckles.
“You may kiss your sweetheart.” Cora claps her hands and bounces on her toes.
“Hey! That’s not part of the ceremony?—”
Grey tugs me into his arms, cutting off my words. His lips collide with mine. The kiss is demanding and hard, just like the man himself. It’s a promise of all the things Grey agreed to.
The kids on his disaster of a front lawn all laugh and cheer with a few wolf whistles, reminding me that we have an audience.
“Is that the entire ceremony?” Grey asks. His lips ghosting over mine.
“That’s it.”
He turns to the kids, who are already antsy to get to their after-party. “Thanks, everyone. We’ll see you at the fair.” Then he scoops me up in his arms and carries me inside to even louder cheers. The entire town will know about this before morning.
Grey doesn’t set me down until we’ve reached his room and the attached bathroom.
“What are you doing?” I ask as he leans over the large tub and turns on the water.
He opens the cabinet beneath the sink and digs around for something. He doesn’t answer me until he stands with a bottle of expensive-looking bubble bath in his hands.
