Page 48 of A Bossy Proposal

“Hold breakfast. I need to take this call.”

Chapter 14

Amelia

Iwatch West retreat as he leaves for work.

Something is off.

He was too eager to leave.

A chill settles over me despite the warmth of the apartment.

The large package of clothes arrived before he left. West asked me to stay at home and try everything on.

It turns out I also have a meeting at nine with the designer who will make my engagement party dress.

After my shower, I pull a pair of cream wide-legged pants and a silk navy top off the rail. While I dress, I contemplate what news received West before rushing out of the door?

The designer arrives at nine on the dot, and soon lots of fabric swatches are checked against my skin color.

She flutters around me, chattering about necklines and the best cut for my body. But I can't stop fretting over the call West took.

My priority should be my engagement outfit right now. Instead, my mind is only on West’s abrupt change in demeanor after he took the call.

And today is the first day he went to work without me.

“Arms out, please,” the designer instructs, pulling me away from my thoughts.

I comply mechanically, my stomach churning.

What could that phone call have been about? West’s face had hardened, his jaw clenched as he listened to whoever was on the other end.

But it was when his eyes caught mine briefly, before he stormed away to his office.

“You’re so tense, dear,” the designer comments, her brow furrowing. “Nerves about the big day?”

I force a smile. “Something like that.”

As she continues taking measurements, my phone buzzes on the coffee table.

I snatch it up, hoping it’s West, but it’s an unknown number.

“Hello?”

“Amelia?” A familiar voice sends ice through my veins. “It’s Felix.”

I should hang up—I don’t. “What do you want?”

The designer sets her curious eyes on me and asks, “Is everything okay?”

I nod as Felix tells me, “We need to talk. I’m sorry and I promise I’ll never treat you badly again. I’ll never cheat on you. Please come home.”

I laugh. “Has Jodie dumped you?”

“She was nothing. She gave me what I needed when you never.”

Anger furls inside as I listen to him and then remember what West did to me last night. And his words—he’s an idiot.“What about you never giving me what I needed?”

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