Page 25 of The Baby His Secretary Carries

“That’s closer to Sasha, at least.”

“Yes, but there’s one more thing I have to tell you.” Ironically, this was the hardest to say. “I’m engaged.”

“Towho?”

Ten minutes later, Molly walked back into Gio’s office, probably looking as though she’d been run over by a truck because that’s how she felt.

“Is your sister all right?” Gio frowned with concern.

“Yes. That was about a friend. I, um, warned Mom about the engagement. I told her it’s not real.”

His eyebrows shot up.

“I will lie to the entire world for you, Gio, even to my baby sister, but I will not lie to my mother.” She and her mother had agreed it was best to let Libby believe it since she tended to overshare, especially when she was excited.

“Did you tell her you fainted this morning?” He narrowed his eyes.

“Yes. And while I was talking to her, my physician texted. She sent a requisition for blood work to a lab here in Genoa. I told Mom I’d make sure the results are shared with her.”

“Get that taken care of, then.” He jerked his chin toward the door.

“We have that conference call with Valentina,” Molly reminded him. “Oh, I know,” she said with mock discovery. “I’ll send Nelo.”

Gio didn’t offer so much as a twitch of amusement. “That joke is wearing thin. Take Nelo, so I know someone is with you if you faint in the street. I’ll handle Valentina.”

Molly gathered her bag and hurried out because she needed a break from his nonstop lightning storm of commands.

She used the time in the car to personally send her “engagement” photo to her sister. Libby lost her pre-adolescent mind and rang through while she and Nelo were having a quick bite at a bistro after the lab, something Nelo said Gio had insisted they do before returning to the office.

Libby demanded to see the ring and meet her fiancé.

“He’s not here, but we’ll call you later.” That would be just punishment for Gio for getting her into this mess. Libby would ask him all sorts of probing and awkward questions. “Right now, I have to go back to the office and you have to get ready for school, but I love you. Mwah, mwah, mwah.” She blew her kisses through the screen.

If she had thought Libby’s reaction was over-the-top, it was nothing compared to the way all the employees stood and clapped when she and Nelo entered the reception foyer.

“Oh, God.” She covered her mouth. “The announcement has hit the internal channels, I presume?” She waved and smiled and blushed so hard, she thought she might actually die.

“Yes, and I’ll apologize now,” Nelo said once they were inside the elevator. “You were on the phone when I asked Signor Casella whether it would be appropriate to, um...” He swallowed loudly. “It’s a very special occasion for the president to become engaged,” he said, as though that was some kind of apology or excuse.

“No-o-o!” she moaned in premonition, even as the elevator doors opened to reveal balloons, streamers and a crowd of employees waiting to greet her. They applauded and someone began to play a romantic tune on an accordion.

“Are you kidding me?”she cried, which was the appropriate level of shock because everyone laughed with enjoyment.

“You told me last night to be prepared for anything,” Nelo said, expression somewhere between a cringe and a grin of pride.

“Well done, getting her out of the office, Nelo.” Gio beckoned her to join him at a table where a cake of ivory buttercream sat. It was in the shape of two interlocking hearts and readCongratulazioni Gio e Molly.Delicate cherry blossoms in pale pink icing were nestled between white roses and lavender sprigs that spilled off the side.

“This is a really beautiful surprise, Gio,” she said sincerely. “It’s such a pity I’m going to have to kill you for it later.”

That provoked another roar of laughter from the crowd, who demanded a kiss.

Please, no. But also,yes, please.

She wasn’t finished processing that other kiss, the one that she would have allowed to turn to lovemaking if he hadn’t dropped his head back against the sofa to stare at her with those arresting blue eyes of his. His hands had mapped all of her and she’d loved it.

Gio drew her into his arms and she set nervous hands on his shoulders, fearful she’d make a fool of herself. She searched his eyes. She had warned him not to lead her on, but he was making this engagement seem so perfect. So real.

It would be over in three weeks, though. Less.

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