The Engagement Game (Engaged to a Billionaire) (22 page)

"You're right," I sigh.
 
"That
is
what I want.
 
Let's go home."
 
I have a stalker to destroy and a wedding to plan.

Chapter Seventeen

"I can't believe you're leaving already," Cindy says at the door.
 
"Guess you won't be needing these."
 
She holds up a couple of Cirque Du Soleil tickets.
 
"They were good seats too."
 
Jack was in the shower and Cindy had a chat with the receptionist to see what room we were staying in.
 
Another stalker to worry about.
 
I was a little annoyed when I saw her face through the peephole, but she'd done me a favor I guess.
 
She'd told me what I wanted to know about Jack.
 
Even though it wasn't information I was asking for.

"Yeah," I agree.
 
"Our trip was too short."
 
Her eyes dart down to the ring on my finger.

"Oh wow!
 
He proposed did he?
 
How lucky for you!"
 
She grabs my hand and studies the diamond.
 
It was strange to see her normal clothing.
 
My mind had pegged her "Cindy the slut" but in the normal outfit she was she didn't look as slutty.
 
But her boobs still spilled over her top.

"Yep.
 
He did."

"Listen," she continues, letting go of my hand.
 
"I'm sorry about earlier.
 
I didn't mean to mess with what you and Jack have goin' on."

"Don't worry about it."

She smiles and glance at my diamond a second time.

"So have you set a wedding date?"

"No," I sigh.
 
That was the last thing on my mind at the moment.

"I bet Earl is excited," she giggles, staring off at the wall.
 
"He was always very kind to me.
 
Have you called him yet?"
 
I look down at the floor for a moment.

"No," I gulp.
 
"Actually . . . he passed away."
 
Cindy looks stunned.
 
She takes a step back to steady herself.

"What?"
 
She runs her acrylic nails through her straightened hair.
 
"Is that true?"

"Yeah," I nod.
 
"It was very recent."
 
Her face changes and now she's covering her eyes as if about to cry.
 
The gesture makes
me
want to cry.

"When's the funeral?" she asks in a low voice.

"Um . . . two days."

"Wow."
 
Cindy shakes her head.
 
"Well, have a safe trip home.
 
Tell Jack . . . actually it would probably be best if Jack didn't know I was here."
 
She smiles again.

"Okay," I agree.
 
I shut the door and catch my breath.
 
The water is running in the bathroom, cutting off my ability to think.
 
That wasn't a bad thing.
 
If there was a way to forget the last couple days I'd consider it.
 
Well . . . only
certain
parts.
 
I look down at the reminder on my finger that things would be okay.
 
The diamond sparkles in the light.
 
The worst had to be over.

*          *          *

"So nice to finally meet you," Leah says, smirking as she shakes Jack's hand.

"You too," Jack nods.

"Whoa!"
 
Leah grabs my hand with sparkling eyes.
 
"What is
that
?"
 
I hear Jack chuckle.
 
Leah looks from me to Jack, unsure if the rock on my finger was from Rex or the guy dropping me off.

"Well since I'm staying the night I might as well tell you."
 
I look to Jack.
 
"Jack and I are engaged."

"What?"
 
Leah practically jumps on me.

"Okay."
 
I try to pull away from a tight hug.
 
"Okay Leah."

"But you'll have to cover that before you meet Mom and Dad."
 
She points to the end of the tattoo peeking out from his shoulder.
 
"Jus sayin'."

"We haven't had the Mom and Dad talk yet," I comment, pushing my way inside.
 
I drop my bag in the living room, looking at the leather couch I'd most likely be sleeping in.
 
Jack insisted I didn't stay the night alone, and he had a few funeral arrangements to take care of early in the morning.
 
It was late and Leah was my best option.
 
That and I needed someone to take my mind off what was going on.
 
Leah was perfect at distracting people.
 
I mean she distracted her roommate Jenna for an entire week before she realized Leah's ex boyfriend had temporarily moved in.
 
The guy parked cars for a living.
 
Deal breaker.

"Don't worry," Leah chortles.
 
"They're not
that
critical.
 
If you wear a suit and hardly say a word you might be fine."

"Thanks for the warning," Jack teases.
 

"Oh and no wine.
 
Bring a vase of flowers and a six-pack instead."

"He gets the idea," I mutter.

Jack puts an arm around me and gives me a goodbye kiss.
 
"You sure you're okay?"

"I'm sure," I reply.

"You could always tag along," he grins.

"It's just one night."

"I'll take good care of her," Leah chimes in.
 
She shuts the door before Jack can say anything else.

"Leah!"

"Girl, you've got some explaining to do."
 
She slumps down in the couch and searches for the remote.
 
"Uh what happened to billionaire Rex?"

"You saw the papers didn't you?'

"Oh yeah," she laughs.
 
"I saw them, and if the tabloids were always right-"

"They
were
right," I interrupt.
 
She looks flabbergasted.

"Are you serious?"

"I wish I wasn't," I mumble.

"So . . . Holly is . . ."
 
She covers her mouth with her hands.

"Yep."

"Preggo?"
 
Leah rolls her eyes.
 
"And you thought me and Jenna had a dysfunctional friendship."
 

"That's not all," I gulp.
 
I figured that Leah might as well know the real reason I was staying the night at her place.
 
It was an address safe from Dr. P's eyes.
 
Hopefully.
 
I glimpse around the apartment, following Detective Lewis's example.
 
All the windows are closed and the sliding glass door in the kitchen is shut.
 
"I've been having issues with a guy at work."

"Sexual tension huh?"
 
She giggles.
 
"Wow it never stops, does it Kat?"

"No," I protest.
 
"I sort of have a stalker."
 
She scratches the side of her face and takes a deep breath.

"I thought I had a stalker once."
 
She nods.
 
"Yep.
 
The same guy followed me home for like two weeks straight."
 
She pauses then suddenly giggles.
 
"Who knew he'd turn out to be my new neighbor?"

"Not
that
kind of stalker," I say in a low voice.
 
I stare at her until she starts to comprehend that I was serious.
 
Dangerously serious.

"What?
 
Were you planning on sharing that after you turned into a missing person's case?
 
Anything else I should know?
 
You have a secret child too you don't want me to know about?"

"No kid," I respond.
 
"Just a diamond and a guy who drives a Chevy."

"Right to the good stuff."
 
Leah smiles and adjusts her tank top.
 
"You sure Jack is the
one
?"
 
I nod, letting the memory of his face warm my torso.
 
"You sure he hits everything on that list of yours?"
 
My thoughts are interrupted.

"I'm through with the list, sis.
 
That thing did nothing but torture me for ten years."
 
I'm startled by the loud sound of Leah clapping.

"Finally," she replies.
 
"Those rules were stupid anyway."

"Yeah well . . ."

"So can I be a bridesmaid?"
 
Among all our topics of conversation that seemed to be what really fascinated her.
 
Wedding details.
 
"Have you set a date yet?
 
OMG!
 
Sadie is gonna freak when you tell her.
 
That chick is crazy."

"Of course you can be a bridesmaid, and you only met Sadie once."

"I can spot
crazy
a mile away."
 
Leah jumps up and hugs me again.
 
And on the subject of dates, I wanted to do it sooner rather than later.
 
I also wanted a small, conservative ceremony but that would all fly out the window once Mom got the news.
 
Maybe a quickie in Vegas
was
the right idea?

Colors.
 
Cakes.
 
Dresses.
 
Centerpieces.
 
It all swarming in my head all at once, making me anxious.
 
The worst part was my maid of honor.
 
I didn't have one.

"Well I'm beat," Leah says.
 
"You know where the linens are.
 
Jenna is asleep already."

"Thanks," I sigh.

"Hey, things could be worse."
 
She chuckles, running her fingers through her long caramel hair.
 
"But they're not.
 
You're engaged.
 
You get to hang with your awesome little sister. . . You're engaged."
 
I smile.

"See you in the morning."

I'd spent a good three hours tossing and turning on a semi-comfortable couch.
 
I roll to one side, letting my sore back have a rest.
 
I had too much on my mind to sleep, but I was exhausted.
 
Only a pill could help me clear my thoughts.

I finally decide to get up.
 
I stretch, letting my tense muscles relax a little.
 
I walk to the tidy kitchen and pull a glass from the cupboard.
 
The water runs from the faucet and the noise drowns out some of the noise in my head.
 
The cool water soothes my throat as it goes down.
 
I close my eyes and try to imagine my wedding day.
 
A day free of complications.
 
Just me, Jack, and the freedom to go wherever we wanted.
 
I take a long calming breath.

My attempt to relax is cut short.
 
A sound outside startles my lungs, sending them into irregular breathing patterns.
 
I close my eyes again.
 
Calm down.
 
You're going to give yourself a heart attack if you don't calm down.