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I do as she asks and cup her face in my hands. I lower my mouth to hers and kiss her tenderly, hoping that she feels the depth of my love for her.

* * *

Holding hands,we walk toward the nearest subway stop. Opal is the one who requested a private viewing of my penthouse. I live to make her happy, so we’re headed in that direction now.

“Mr. Knight!” A male voice calls from behind us.

Not wanting to be interrupted by anyone, I’m tempted to tell whoever it is I’m busy and not in the mood for an interruption.

“Someone is calling your name,” Opal says as she gazes up at my face. “Shouldn’t we stop?”

I squeeze her hand. “Only for a minute.”

Smiling, she glances over her shoulder. “Deal.”

I look, too, and see a younger guy on the approach. I can’t place him until he’s almost right in front of me. It seems the advice I threw at him paid off.

“Mr. Knight,” he says my name as he extends a hand in my direction. “Remember me?”

I take his hand for a firm shake. “Ryan, right?”

His brows lift in surprise. “You do remember me.”

I remember the morning I met him and Jason Goodman as they were subjecting an entire coffee shop to stories about their imaginary conquests.

“This is Opal.” I glance at her. “Opal, this is Ryan.”

She keeps her hand firmly in mine but goes to shake his with the other.

He obliges with a smile. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

Impressed by not only his manners but his wardrobe choice, I point that out, “I see you got a new suit.”

He tugs on the lapels of the dark blue suit jacket. “I sure did, and it was all because of you. When I told the tailor William sent me, he sold me this beauty for a steal.”

It’s a great suit that’s tailored to fit. “Good.”

“I got a haircut.” He points at the top of his head. “I also bought a nail brush.”

Chuckling, I drop my gaze to his hands. “You did good, Ryan.”

“It’s all because of you.” He adjusts the sleeve of his jacket. “You told me what I needed to do to get my shit together. You changed my life, Mr. Knight.”

Opal tugs on my hand to lure my gaze to her. She doesn’t say a word, but her smile tells me she’s glad we ran into this guy.

“I need to get back to work,” Ryan explains. “It was good to see you.”

I shake his hand again. “Take care.”

“You too,” he says before he turns his attention to Opal. “It was good to meet you, Mrs. Knight.”

Before either of us can correct him, he’s headed up the sidewalk with a determined stride that speaks of his newfound confidence.

“Mrs. Knight,” Opal whispers. “It’s cute he thought we were married.”

“Cute?” I question with a lift of my brow. “It’s foreshadowing.”

Her lips curve into a gentle smile. “Time will tell.”