Page 59 of Be My Bride

She snatches my arm. “Hansley.”

I pull back around and look at her.

Dark eyes pin me in place. “What’s going on? Did you find another story about us?”

“No.” I rub the back of my neck. “It’s work.” I try to keep it vague. “There’s been a slight… problem.”

She winces. “You got in trouble because of this?”

“No. Not really.”

Her eyes narrow. “Tell me.”

“We lost a very important contract,” I say carefully. “One we’ve been slowly coaxing for a while now.”

My conversation with the Jensen Corp employee basically confirmed it.

“Jensen didn’t call a board meeting, Hansley. He sent the email himself. I think this is personal.”

“Did he list a reason to the board?”

“Due to the recent negative publicity surrounding the C.E.Os of Nicholas and McQueen…”

“Got it.” I run a hand over my mouth. “It’s crystal clear.”

Asia’s expression crashes with guilt when I fall silent.

Moving closer to her, I lift her chin. “It’s not your fault.”

“I posted the video,” she mumbles.

“And I proposed in the first place.” I glance away. “Don’t worry about it.”

Her bottom lip moves between her teeth as she does the exact opposite of my instructions.

My phone buzzes.

I check it.

“That’s Tierra. They’re here.”

The attendant returns with the card and a receipt. She gives me and Asia a shy look before averting her eyes.

“Thank you,” Asia says softly.

I nod at her. “You sure you don’t want the shoes?”

She shakes her head, her expression so serious I know that getting comfortable footwear is the last thing on her mind.

I turn fully to her. “What size are you?”

“What?”

I eye her feet and guess. “Size seven?” I give the card back to the attendant. “Can you bring me a pair of sneakers?”

“Hansley, everyone is waiting.” She frowns at me. “We don’t have time for this.”

“Let them wait.”

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