Page 44 of Grumpy Boss in Love

Ruby’s reaction seemed to please Eleanor. She glanced at me and gave an approving nod. “Ireallylike her, Elliot. Let’s go.” She then took off with Ruby still in her embrace.

My “fiancée” seemed at ease with Eleanor's affection. She animatedly told Eleanor about our trip here and how she had admired the countryside. The two exchanged tales about their appreciation for getting away from the city for a while.

We met Alfred in the dining room. Once I introduced Ruby to the old man, she captured his attention just as she had Eleanor’s. Throughout dinner, I took Ruby in—her genuine smiles, giggles, and amazed reactions to everything the older couple revealed about their history. In less than two hours, she’d captivated the hearts of complete strangers. Of course, she did. Ruby was charming as all fuck. She was natural with people and social settings.

I, on the other hand, was uncomfortable because I couldn’t be smiley and chatty. As Ruby excitedly launched into the topic of the small town she grew up in, Eleanor and Alfred even leaned closer to her like mesmerized moths to a radiant flame. I stared at her, wondering how she did it. She was just so…Ruby.

I’d never cared about interacting with the masses before. But being here with Ruby, watching her in her element, it hit me how different we were. If we hadn’t entered into this crazy marriage contract, she’d never be with me outside of the office. What would a young, gorgeous, funny, and bubbly woman want with a miserable prick whose emotional damage left him numb most of the time?

For the first time, not being a social butterfly—possibly Ruby’s type—bothered me. It was like being next to her highlighted my flaws. The ones my brother used to poke fun about. The ones that my father chastised me about because they didn’t fit the image of the head of the Westwood empire.

“Elliot?”

I blinked out of my consuming thoughts to glance at Ruby.

“Are you okay?” She whispered.

“Fine.”

Her eyebrows puckered as her gaze lingered on me, but she didn’t comment. Instead, she turned back to the Wilsons to tell them about her sisters and her growing family. Christ, Ruby was a talker. I gave her an amused side glance. Thank God, because had she not been here, this would have been a quiet, awkward dinner.

“I have a burning question,” Eleanor announced.

“Uh-oh, it’s time to drill the happy couple about their relationship,” Alfred teased with a hearty laugh. “Don’t mind Eleanor, kids. She’s a hopeless romantic.”

I wasn’t too worried because I’d prepped Ruby for the possible questions on our way here, so we’d be on the same page. Plus, I was right beside her to jump in and take over if her nervousness got the better of her. It was no secret that she was worried about lying on such a massive scale.

“Ask away,” I told her with a tight smile. Ruby’s energy instantly changed. I wasn’t sure if anyone else noticed, but I practically felt it with her sitting right beside me.

“How did you two meet?” Eleanor smiled expectantly.

Ruby’s nervous giggle surrounded us. “Well, it was a year ago…”

That part was true, at least. However, when it came to the lie, her hand lifted, and I knew she was aiming for her nose. I intercepted, laced our fingers, and carried her hand back down to rest on the table. Eleanor gazed at our interlocked hands and clutched her chest.

“Ruby was having car trouble, and I stopped to help her,” I continued. The idea to incorporate our actual interactions to help us remember our lies had been Ruby’s idea.

Seeming to have composed herself, Ruby finished the story. “My vehicle was in a hopeless condition so he gave me a lift. I ran into him weeks later at his office and we chatted some. I was the one who asked him out because he’s shy. It was a case of an extrovert, me, adopting an introvert, him.”

She smirked at me, and I had to remind myself not to scowl at her. We never practiced that part. An extrovert adopting an introvert?Seriously?Well… it was kind of the truth, I suppose. “We’ve been inseparable ever since,” she finished.

Eleanor ate the story up. She cooed about how cute we were together.

“Why the small wedding?” Alfred asked. “Elliot mentioned that before this, you two planned on heading to the courthouse. Ruby, the way you talk about your family, I thought you’d want them to share in your special day.”

Ruby’s fingers flexed and that was what reminded me that I still held her hand. “It’s my fault, I’m afraid,” I quickly answered before she tried to rub her nose again. I was curious to knowwhyshe always did that. “My last name garners a lot of attention. I didn’t want the media turning our wedding into a circus.”

“Of course,” Eleanor said. “I almost forgot you’re one of the famous Westwoods.”

“I wouldn't say famous…” I started to shift uneasily in my chair.

Any mention of the Westwoods always made me uncomfortable. Would the Wilsons bring up the whole scandal surrounding my existence? The memories would throw me into a dark mood for sure. As if sensing my agitation, Ruby glanced at me and then wrapped her fingers tighter around mine. I stared at our point of connection, stunned by the level of solace it brought me.

I couldn’t remember the last time anyone cared enough to offer me emotional comfort. Swallowing hard, I lifted mine and Ruby’s hands off the table and let her go as if I’d been burned.

She kept her expression neutral, but when she glanced my way, her eyes were clouded with confusion.

“What about that tour you promised, Eleanor?” I asked, desperate to put distance between Ruby and me. “I’m excited about it.”

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