He most certainly did not. Neither did his secretary’s assistant, but I should have guessed there were special circumstances since she wanted me to drop everything and contact a wedding planner.
This was just another business arrangement.
An ache clenched my chest.
But I wasn’t listening to my body. As usual, my mind won. This was reasonable. Steven wasn’t going to force me to stop working. I wouldn’t have to move to England. In fact, from the sounds of it, precious little was going to change.
What was I doing resisting this?
I wasn’t getting any younger. In his own way, my father approved of the match. Maybe being settled was the best possible scenario? My gaze dipped from the smiling, pretty face down along the polo that hugged his toned, athletic body. There was zero reaction. No urge to rip his clothing off and have him bend me over the desk.
Marriages have been built on less.
“Alright, Steven, but let’s not do the big wedding scene,” I negotiated. “A justice of the peace will take care of the legal matters. And I’ll find a weekend to come to England and sign whatever is necessary to secure the estate.”
His puppy dog eyes drooped. “Really, love?”
The nickname made my shoulders itch.
“I was kind of imagining you in a frothy white gown, walking to me over red petals. The works,” he pleaded his case.
That tone…yuck. I blanched. I knew he came from money, but the petulant rich-boy side was not endearing.
“I’m not doing the cupcake gown, Steven. I’m not that kind of girl.”
“Can we compromise?” His grin would probably melt the panties off any of my friends. To me? It felt wrong. “A small ceremony at the Anglican Church back in Boston.”
I tried not to let the way he was acting bother me. Plus, it was such a small request. And unlike my parents, I only planned on doing this once.
“No rose petals.” I pointed a finger at him. “Noflowers.”
I hated them with a passion. A distant memory bubbled up, vibrating pain through my already aching head.
“Come on, Amanda, everyone has roses at weddings.”
“No.” My voice hardened. “And don’t send me any, either.”
He winced. “I wouldn’t. I know you hate them, but bloody hell. I had no idea how much.”
“Sorry, just—” I drew a deep breath through my nose. “No flowers.”
“But it’s a wedding. There are expectations.”
He continued to protest, as a black shape crossed the hall in front of my office. I cut a look, but it wasn’t fast enough. Jumping out of my chair, I went barefoot to the door and flung it open.
The man in the leather jacket turned the corner at the end of the hall.
There was something achingly familiar in those broad shoulders. I had to know. I had to—
The back of my neck tingled.
Because my shoes were tucked under my desk, I didn’t dare rush out there. I was just about to go get them when a peeved voice sounded behind me.
“Ms. Loring,” Nadine huffed. “This was dropped off for you.”
I spun around and gaped at the cranky paralegal. She shoved a takeout bag in my hands.
“I don’t appreciate your friend making me run errands.” She turned up her nose. “What you do on your own time is your business, but if you want my advice, don’t meddle with those types of people.”
