Page 73 of Bossy Wicked Prince

“All this for us? You shouldn’t have,” drawls a male voice.

No.

I turn around slowly to see all my poker buddies standing in my living room, smirking at the candles and flowers.

“The candles are a nice touch,” Luke notes. “Flowers are a bit much, though.”

“I’m just glad he’s still trying after all these years,” Beau adds.

I just gawk at them. “What are you doing here?”

They all stare back at me with perplexed expressions.

“You invited us,” James says slowly, like he’s not sure if I just had a stroke.

“You know…Thanksgiving,” Ryan says.

I realize that everyone’s holding a tupperware and a bottle of wine, except for Beau, who has a number of catering containers stacked in his arms.

Suddenly, everything clicks in my head.

Friendsgiving.

Weeks ago, when we discussed this, I offered to host. I’ve been so distracted with Cat that I completely forgot. We do this dinner every year, but usually on the weekend after Thanksgiving. We’ve never actually done it on the day before because inevitably someone always has another family commitment, but this year we’re all family-free.

No, no, no,shit.Cat’s going to be here any minute, and if she sees them, she’ll be too nice to kick them out on Thanksgiving. As much as I love the guys, I donotwant them ruining our romantic night.

I feel a little bad for ditching them, but there’s no way I can let Cat down again when I just convinced her to give me a chance. Besides, they can always just go up to James’s apartment on the top floor. He has that massive dining room table.

“Sorry, guys, but you gotta go.”

Understanding dawns on James’s face first. “Wait…is this all for a date?”

“It’s Cat, isn’t it?” Ryan says eagerly. “Fuck yeah, Luke, you owe me twenty bucks.”

Luke smiles apologetically. “Sorry to bet against you, Nate, but I thought for sure you’d fucking blow it with her. Glad to see I was wrong.”

“O-M-G, a date with your new assistant?” Beau teases. “Scandalous. Can’t believe we heard the news before the Toronto Tea got the story.”

“No wonder your Mom was so pissed,” James adds.

I don’t bother denying it. They give me all the shit they want for it later, but right now, I want them all gone.

“Why don’t you head up to James’s apartment?” I grab Ryan and Beau’s arms, trying to herd them toward the elevator. “Better view from the penthouse, anyway.”

Before they can protest, the elevator doors open and Cat steps out. She looks fucking gorgeous in a simple ivory cardigan that clings to her body and a pair of well-worn jeans.

The broad smile on her face slips as she stares at the four men standing in my living room.

“Uh, hi. Happy Thanksgiving, Mr. Bishop,” she says to Beau.

Ryan and Luke howl with laughter, and James elbows them both in the ribs.

“Beau is fine, Cat,” the man himself says kindly.

“Sorry,” Luke chokes out between laughs. “It’s not you. It’s just—Mr. Bishop!”

“Nobody should ever be that respectful to this dude,” Ryan adds. “Seriously, his favorite movie isThe Lion King.”