Page 59 of The English Billionaire's Obsession

“I bet I look like a crying dork,” I say, voicing my earlier concern, but as a joke.

“Not even a little bit,” Mom says, and she’s crying too. “I’m so happy for you both.”

“I know you meant it, sir,” Tommy says. “I’m never going to cheat, mistreat, or hurt her. From this day on, I dedicate my life to making her happy.”

Dad beams. Then Tommy shakes his head. “No, that’s not right. I dedicated my life the moment I saw her, the moment I saw you.”

He turns to me again. “George told me how well you did today.”

“I didn’t even know he was involved.”

“He wasn’t, but I asked him to check for me. I heard what you did. You’re talented, selfless.”

“Thank you,” I whisper. “With your support, I feel like I can do anything.”

“You can.”

“Okay, time to pose,” Mom says, laughing as she aims her phone.

I hug close to him, lay my head against his shoulder, and smile at the camera. Finally, Loki can’t take it anymore. He ducks his head and runs happily into the garden, running in British-mad circles around us, his excitement bubbling out of him. Tommy laughs and scoops him up, and then Loki clambers between us, licking my face and then Tommy’s. Finally, Mom and Dad join us, and we sit around the table drinking lemonade as the sun sets.

“So, how does it feel?” Mom asks. “To be a fiancée?”

“Pretty much perfect,” I say, smiling as I grip Tommy’s hand.

Dad’s gaze strays to our handholding, and for a second, I think he’s going to be annoyed or maybe uncomfortable, but then he smiles. I can tell it’s genuine. I can tell he’s happy for us.

“And you?” Dad says, addressing Tommy.

“Perfect,” he says.

“I was thinking on the flight here… Thanks for that, by the way.”

Tommy waves a hand. “You never have to thank me for courtesies like that.”

“A private plane is more than a courtesy.”

Mom nudges him. “Tell him what you were going to say, Charley.”

Dad nods. “I was thinking how I can’t wait to meet my grandchildren.”

We all sit in the warmth, the love of that comment, letting it fill us as we think of the future.

EPILOGUE

THREE WEEKS LATER

Thomas

“Are you going to call me Dad?” Charley says through gritted teeth as he tries to reach the final rep in his set.

I move my hands to the bar.

“Don’t do it,” he growls, his arms shaking as he tries to strain it the rest of the way.

We’re in the private gym in my flat. Charley’s been helping me with some construction work. He’s very skilled in that area. It shocked him when I told him he could fly over some of his crew from the US.

“I want the best building my family home.”

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