Page 58 of Picked by the Billionaire (Covington Billionaires)

“Waffle Castle,” Amy answered right away. “Can you believe it? Waffle Castle for a first date. He can be sort of cheap.”

This was not something we had discussed. We clearly hadn’t had enough preparation time.

“Liam, you should be ashamed of yourself,” Felicia scolded.

I had to defend myself and turn this around. “That’s because we spent all evening talking. I was so lost in her beauty and the stories she told of growing up in Greenfield that before we knew it, everything was closed.” I thought I had salvaged it reasonably. “She had wanted French for dinner, and French toast at the Waffle Castle was the closest I could come up with at that hour.”

“Pretty ingenious, I’d say,” Hue chimed in.

Amy put her fork down. “It was pretty cute, actually, how he tried so hard to find something French at midnight.”

“We talked all night,” I said before taking a sip of water. “She explained all that she and her partner, Sam, had done to start their company. She amazed me for hours. I’ve never met a more accomplished woman.”

Her cheeks glowed red again.

“We talked almost until the sun came up,” I added. I thought it was a good touch.

Hue gestured toward me. “Liam, tell us how you came up with her nickname.”

I found it an easy one to answer. “I’ve called her Sunshine since the first day we met. She brightens up any room she enters.” I looked over at her with a genuine smile. “And her being part of my life has brought warmth to my soul and brightened my outlook each and every day.”

Felicia’s eyes were watering.

Hue smiled at me.

Amy had been looking down, avoiding my gaze. When she met my eyes, hers were teary, soft and happy. Her blush was in full bloom, but instead of complaining, she leaned over to plant a quick kiss on me. I hoped it was a sign she might be getting over her aversion to compliments.

Chapter 15

Amy

When we reachedthe ground floor, Liam put his arm around me. “Thank you again.” He leaned over and pressed a kiss to the top of my head as we strode through the lobby. Outside, he handed the valet his ticket.

I leaned into his warmth and didn’t want to let go.

Returning with the car, the valet looked relieved to be free of the responsibility of keeping the mob boss’s car safe. He beamed a megawatt smile of gratitude when Liam handed him a hundred-dollar bill for his troubles.

“That was generous,” I said as he closed the door for me.

Liam settled into his seat and pushed the fob into the slot. The car awoke with a growl. “It was only fair after I scared the shit out of him.”

I relaxed against the leather as he pulled into traffic. “I learned one important thing about you tonight.”

“And what would that be, Sunshine?” he asked.

“You can sling bullshit with the best of them. I mean, ‘She warms my soul, and she brightens up my day.’ Really? That's laying it on pretty thick.”

Liam gritted his teeth. He didn't say a word as he jerked the car to the right, and I was thrown forward against the seatbelt as the car came to an abrupt stop by the curb.

His eyes seared into me, sending a shiver down my back. I leaned away, toward the door.

“There was no bullshit in that line,” he almost yelled. “That is absolutely how I feel.”

I couldn't believe what he was telling me. I had thought it all an act. I knew he liked me, but brightening up his life each and every day? That was some pretty exaggerated bullshit, even for a real boyfriend.

His eyes were fierce, determined. “You are truly an amazing lady, Amy. But I've had it with you refusing to accept my compliments.” He banged the steering wheel. “We may be pretending we've been together for months, but I can size people up quickly, and everything I've said about how wonderful you are is absolutely true. Now get over it, and stop calling me a fucking liar.”

What the fuck?

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