Page 28 of Strictly Business

Amara lets out a soft chuckle, the tension leaving her shoulders as a small smile tugs at her lips. She looks up at me, her eyes softening. “Yeah. I remember.”

I squeeze her waist lightly. “Good. He was a little skeptical when I announced the news, which means we need to convince him we’re in love and engaged. So, if he asks any questions, just let me handle it.”

She nods as we head toward him.

“Crestwell,” I greet, offering my hand. “Good to see you.”

He gives me a firm shake, his eyes drifting to Amara, and a smile spreads across his face. “I see you’ve finally broughtout your fiancée tonight. Glad to see you finally announced the engagement.”

His wife, Eleanor, steps forward, her eyes flicking between us. “That was quite a show, Nicholas,” she adds, her smile widening when her eyes land on Amara. “And you, my dear, are quite a sight.”

Amara offers a polite smile and nods. “Thank you. It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”

Robert laughs lightly. “It’s about time. Blackwood’s been keeping this one under wraps, hasn’t he?”

I lift my shoulder in a shrug. “Some things are better left private.”

Eleanor lets out a chuckle, her gaze sliding to Amara. “So, are the wedding plans already underway, or are you keeping those a secret too?”

Amara glances up at me, and I catch the flicker of panic in her eyes.

“We’re still enjoying the engagement period before we officially start wedding planning,” I reply, giving her a reassuring look, noticing her shoulders relaxing a little.

Eleanor hums thoughtfully, her gaze narrowing. “Well, don’t wait too long,” she tells us. “Venues book up quickly. You’ll want to get on that soon.”

“We’ll keep that in mind,” I reply, giving her a smile.

Robert lets out a chuckle, tapping me on my back, leaning in slightly. “Between you and me… the board is fully prepared to offer you the deal.” My body relaxes at his words. “This is exactly the image we want to present to the world, Nicholas. It’s nice to see you so… in love.”

My spine tenses, my body freezing at his words as I pull back and offer him a smile, knowing this is all fake. Every bit of it. I force myself to swallow, nodding as he pats me on the back and heads toward the drink table.

This is what I wanted. The ruse is working, and the deal is as good as mine. I just need to keep this up.

Twisting my head, I turn, looking for Amara, finding her in the corner, talking to a group of women. Her smile is tense, and I reach up, tracing the amused smirk on my lips as I watch her.

How she can look likethattonight and still act like the shy girl who gets flustered talking to me, I’ll never know.

“Tell me this is a joke.” I turn around and see Ethan, nursing a glass of bourbon, his eyes wide. “Engaged, Nicholas? What the fuck?”

Shit. I forgot about this loudmouth, curious bastard. I let out a sigh, feeling a headache already creeping in. “It’s… complicated.”

“It always is with you,” Ethan quips. “So why don’t you uncomplicate it for me? Because I’ve been standing here trying to figure out how Nicholas-fucking-Blackwood, a man who works 20-hour days, and has no interest in a relationship whatsoever, somehow managed topropose. To his assistant no less.”

Jesus, I’m never going to live this down. I let out a sigh, meeting his eyes.

“It’s fake,” I grit out.

He pauses, reeling back in shock. “What?” He shakes his head. “What do you mean it’s fake?”

“It’s not real,” I clarify, narrowing my eyes when he tilts his head, confused. “I needed her help convincing the board I was in a serious relationship. And she just so happened to walk in the door.”

His jaw drops. “You’re fucking with me. Tell me you’re fucking with me.”

I don’t reply immediately, my jaw tightening, and Ethan takes my silence as an opportunity to continue.

“Wait a second.” He pauses, leaning in. “Is this why you bailed on the club last week?

The question hits a nerve, and I stand straighter. I had every intention of attending his club, needing to relieve some stress, needing to let go of everything and just feel. But I couldn’t.

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