“Spur-of-the-moment, from-the-heart thing. If you’d told me a month ago I’d have the chance to make Chloe mine forever, I would’ve told you it wasn’t possible, as much as I’ve always wanted it. Tonight, the moment was just… right.”

“It was perfect,” Chloe managed, and the girl definitely had some acting chops I hadn’t been aware of. The way she gazed into my eyes, even I was almost convinced she meant it.

Angelica studied us for a couple more seconds, then said, “Let me be the first to congratulate you.” Her eyes narrowed an almost indiscernible amount, and though she said the right words, I could still feel her doubt. “I wish you a lifetime of happiness.”

“What?” A man who’d been nearby apparently overheard our “news” and joined our huddle to get the details. The man he was with, who I was guessing to be his significant other, joined in, and both of them hugged Chloe and shook my hand.

Word spread faster than a rumor in a small town, and before dinner was served, champagne was flowing in our honor. People seemed genuinely happy for Chloe, which told me she was respected and liked among her colleagues. No surprise to me.

It started to make sense why she hadn’t come back to Dragonfly Lake, where she’d never been treated right or as an equal, let alone as an executive vice president.

The influx of people congratulating us and wanting to meet Chloe’s “lucky guy” kept us busy and allowed me to avoid any private conversation with her. She’d likely save her scolding for later, in private, anyway.

I’d decided to enjoy the celebration while it lasted. With the whole company believing our engagement, it seemed like a win to me. I’d just have to remind Chloe of that.

Chapter 4

Holden

The drive from the Wentworth Hotel to Chloe’s apartment was only about three minutes, but it was the longest three minutes in recent history.

She hadn’t said a word beyond short answers and a thanks here and there since we’d left the restaurant and walked back through that fancy lobby. Since there’d been no audience out there, we hadn’t needed to act engaged or in love, and based on the tension pulsing through her, she very much was not in love. Pretty safe to say, at that moment, she didn’t even like me.

I fully expected her to unleash on me any second. I’d known that was coming since about three seconds after I’d told her boss we were engaged, and I’d give her, we had some details to work out about how we’d handle this.