Page 137 of Grumpy Boss of the Year

"I know," she says, pouting her lips. "Though we wouldn't be getting married if it wasn't for my dad."

"I mean, that is true. We would not be getting married right now, but we would be?—"

"We would be doing what?" she says, cocking her head to the side.

"Making love?"

"Very funny."

"What? You like making love to me."

"I do, but I'm curious what the status of our relationship would be if?—"

"We would be casually dating to see if we wanted…"

She frowns slightly, and I realize I've said something wrong. "Sorry, should I have said we'd just be dating?"

"No. I want you to be honest. You wouldn't have asked me to be your girlfriend by now?"

"I don't know," I say honestly. "Look, I've never really had feelings like this for anyone before, and I've never really wanted to be in an exclusive relationship where I was committed to someone. I love you, and I am committed to you, but I can't say how I would have felt if we weren't in this scenario."

"Fine," she says. "I get it."

"Do you hate me?"

"No," she says, shaking her head. "I mean, I'm not happy with you, but…" She shrugs.

"Give me a kiss." I stare at her and lean my lips towards hers.

"I don't think you deserve one right now, Liam Gallagher."

"What if I ask you sweetly?"

"You'd have to do a lot more than ask me sweetly."

"Pretty please with a cherry on top?"

"Fine." She gives me a quick peck and then pulls away. "I'll see you later, fiancé-to-be."

"I'll see you later, wife-to-be."

I watch as she walks away and then call Lucinda back.

"Sir, I am sorry to disturb you."

"It's fine. What's going on?"

"We have a bit of a problem."

"Okay, and?—"

"And well, it's kind of a big problem."

"What do you mean, it's a big problem?"

"So, remember the Brigade deal that you did last year?"

"Yeah. How can I forget? It made me $500 million and?—"

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