Page 197 of Savage Suit

“Its…great,” I answered after a moment’s consideration. “I haven’t lived with anyone since my brother and sister moved out and I’ve never lived with a boyfriend, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Our backgrounds are so different. But so far, so good.”

She nodded in understanding. “Same with Graham and I, Let me tell you, the lifestyle difference is an adjustment. But if you two love each other, it’ll work out.”

“We do. We say it all the time. I believe he means it as much as I do.”

“You two have any firm plans? Marriage? Kids? All that classic shit?”

“We’ve touched on the topic, but nothing in-depth. It’s on the table, though.”

For the first time, I envisioned a future with a partner, one involving marriage and children. So much had changed in just a few, short weeks. Thanksgiving had come and gone. I’d wanted to try my hand at preparing a holiday meal, so Angelo had ceded the kitchen to me, Quinn, and Alessia, on standby if we needed him. We’d received compliments all around, even from the chef himself, and I’d been so proud. After Mama’s death, Armani had always overseen important occasions. I had invited her, Timothe, their kids, and Dakota, his son, and his girlfriend, but they’d declined, claiming it was unfair of me to usurp Armani’s position.

Fuck you very much. My Thanksgiving had been fabulous without their crusty asses.

Last weekend, Nathaniel and Alessia’s wedding had been beautiful, extravagant, and newsworthy. The Keegans turned out in full force. I’d met Reid’s father. When I asked about Noah’s sick aunt that he’d missed work over, Ed Keegan had looked so confused. Noah had interrupted whatever he’d been about to say and steered his father away not long after.

Later, Noah simply told me the woman was much better.

Life was wonderful. This holiday season would be extra special. On the fifteenth, Noah and I would trim our first tree together. I’d invited Quinn, Logan, Graham, Soraya, and their kids to help. By then, Nathaniel and Alessia would also be back from their honeymoon. I’d tried to contact Reid, but he wouldn’t answer his phone. He’d also ignored my texts and emails.

“I think we can get going now,” Soraya said into the silence, grabbing her bag and standing.

I mimicked her, my mind filling with thoughts of how a life with Noah would be, hopeful and nervous at the prospect.

“You want to marry Ryan?” Quinn’s disbelief annoyed me. I expected her, of all people, to be happy at the news. “You two only just moved in together!”

“And?” I demanded, grateful for Dakota and Logan’s silence, although their unreadable expression grated on me, too.

Quinn studied me. “Is she pregnant?”

“A baby isn’t a reason to marry,” I snapped. “That’s asking for fucking misery.”

“Says you. Reid didn’t get that memo.”

I didn’t want to talk about my cousin or think about his baby’s mother. Since the day the paparazzi chased Ryan, Reid wouldn’t return my phone calls, rarely showed up to his office at the law firm and hadn’t been seen in my building. He hadn’t even attended Nate and Alessia’s wedding.

Another no show had been Tina. Her illness turned out to be pregnancy. I wanted her to take maternity leave. Nicholas laughed in my face, so she came to the office every day. As for me, my secrets dampened my happiness. If I confessed to Ryan I’d slept with Megan, she’d never forgive me. I feared discovery every day. Ryan wasn’t stupid. She sensed something wrong. At times, her searching look probed my deepest soul. However, without proof, she had nothing to accuse me of, so she remained silent.

Seeing no other way, I went to Uncle Ed for help. By now, Megan had returned to London, so he flew there on my behalf. She signed a non-disclosure agreement. In return, I began paying her fifty thousand dollars a month. If she opened her mouth, the money stopped.

It wasn’t the best solution, but for the first time in my life I’d allowed a situation to spiral out of my control. I didn’t know what else to do. Uncle Ed visited the hotel to reverify Megan’s story, on the off chance I’d missed something to prove I hadn’t betrayed Ryan. I couldn’t put my finger on what bothered me so much—other than the obvious. I’d fucked Megan. Everyone my uncle interviewed verified the facts. Confirming I’d cheated on Ryan sent me into panic mode.

Ordinarily, I didn’t believe popping the question after three weeks of living together was wise, but I couldn’t think of any other way to bind Ryan to me. Other than pregnancy, which was out of the question. Unless I grew even more desperate.

Besides, I wanted to marry Ryan. I loved her. We’d been seeing each other for a little over two months and worked together, so I knew her. I knew I wanted her face to be the first one I saw when I awakened and the last one I kissed before sleeping.

“Why are you asking us?” Logan asked. “Shouldn’t you pop the question to Ryan?”

My shoulders sagged and I rubbed my eyes. Perhaps believing asking for Ryan’s hand in marriage would be an easy task was naïve. While it was old-fashioned thing, and traditionally done with the bride’s parents, I wanted to ensure Quinn and Logan’s support. So, while Soraya and Ryan went out, I thought it the perfect moment to invite them over and win their approval. However, her siblings objected.

“Why isn’t Armani and Timothe here?” Dakota questioned.

“Because I told Noah not to invite those two,” Quinn said, “so if you have an issue with breathing oxygen instead of Timothe’s asshole, get to fucking stepping.”

Dakota scowled at Quinn before looking at me. “Let’s address the elephant in the room.”

“Of course,” I responded, barely tempering my annoyance.

“Are we really okay with giving our blessing to a man against women in the workplace?” he asked, pinning Quinn and Logan with a hard stare “Ryan has dreamed of being in the advertising industry forever. Do you really think she’d put that aside to marry? And even if she does, I doubt she’d be happy staying at home.”