Page 24 of Tempt you…not!
“She’s right,” Olivia agrees. “The dress isn’t going to matter. What matters is with that growing basketball, you’ve snagged yourself a big mountain of cash.”
Rachel shoots Olivia a dark look. “I love Slate!”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Olivia says dismissively. “Honestly, I’d have loads more respect for you if were actually in it for the money. I mean, who falls in love with Slate Bastion?”
My phone vibrates, and I look down to see a text from Chadwick asking me to meet him outside.
“I’ll be back in a few,” I say, knowing Olivia will take care of any issues.
Ironically, over the last three years, our families have gotten along well. Even our fathers.
After the call to collaborate, our families went down different paths in the industry, no longer competing as aggressively as they once had.
Our fathers golf together, keeping a bit of a rivalry going. But it’s not longer laced with anger.
Olivia led the charge in getting Major Hutton dishonorably discharges based on the gross sexual harassment he exacted upon me.
And now, Rachel, her, and I are friends.
Chadwick is flipping coins into a fountain, looking dapper as hell in the groomsman tux.
“Goddamn.” I whistle in appreciation. “How long has it been again?”
He looks at me with reverence. “Ninety-two days, but who’s counting?”
I was called away by Barton to a top-secret base where he’s building a ‘space yacht.’ Chadwick has been supportive the entire time, but I’ve grown anxious with how much we’ve been apart.
“You look absolutely beautiful,” he says, his eyes drinking me in.
Tears threaten to spill down my cheeks.
“Hey, now,” he says softly, closing the distance between us and planting a kiss on my cheek. “I’m here.”
“Yeah, now. But I still have eight more months on location.” I sniffle as I try to hold back my tears. “I just miss you so much.”
He dons a soft smile. “What if you don’t have to miss me anymore?”
“Do you want me to quit? Because you coming with me isn’t an option. Barton doesn’t hire couples on the same platform.”
“Barton is a stand-up guy, and he pulled a couple strings for me.”
My eyes light in astonishment. “He would never! But-but—did he?”
“Remember how I said I’d scrub toilets if I got to work near you?”
I shake my head forcefully. “No…”
“Yes. You are looking at the newest custodian for Empire Explorations!”
It takes me a full minute to realize he’s not joking, and when I do, I can’t help but burst into laughter, throwing my arms around him and showering him with kisses.
“That’s not all.”
“I don’t know if I can take much more.”
“Well, I hate doing this at a wedding, but it’s the first time I’ve seen you in months. Let’s keep this our little secret.” He drops to one knee, pulling out a ring box. “Alysanne Bastion, will you marry me?”
For a moment, I worry I might faint as a wave of nausea overwhelms me.
