LITMIR.BIZ

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problem, not my coworkers.” He tugged a tie out of the closet, slid it under his collar and began knotting it.

      “Oh, that’s right. The old-fashioned guy.”

      He flipped his collar back in place and reached for his suit jacket, the intimacy of the morning stealing over him and she’d only been in his house one night. “It’s his money to spend how he chooses. If we want his account—and we do—then we have to play by his rules, especially with Golden Gate Promotions nipping at our heels. Surely the businesswoman inside you understands that.”

      “I hear what you’re saying.”

      “It would really help convince people to buy into our engagement if you would wear this.” He scooped the ring box off the table and placed it on her breakfast tray. Winning a point was all about the presentation. If he offered her the diamond nestled in his palm, it seemed too much like a real proposal. Hopefully, by casually dropping it on the tray, she would feel less crowded.

      Lauren nudged the box with the tip of her index finger. “You can’t really expect to marry someone just to please a business associate.”

      Her question churning in his brain, he decided honesty would work best. She was smart and insightful, two things he enjoyed most about her.

      “Honestly, Lauren, I’m not sure how far I would go with this. I’m still taking things a day at a time, working to make the best decision possible to secure the baby’s future, which means smoothing out your world and mine. Making the engagement as official as possible—including flashing this ring around—will go a long way toward taking care of those concerns. It could keep your mother off your back for a while, too.”

      Lauren lightly punched his arm. “Now you’re playing dirty pool.”

      “I’m a man on a mission.” He tapped the little velvet box.

      She hugged her knees and stared at the ring as if it was a bomb, not a three-carat, flawless rock.

      Nice. He restrained the urge to laugh. Especially since it really wasn’t all that funny.

      Lauren tore her eyes from the ring. “What will I say if someone asks when we’re getting married?”

      He cricked his neck from side to side, working out the stress already knotting its way up and it wasn’t even seven o’clock yet. “Tell them your mother is planning the wedding. Tell them we’re looking for a date that fits in with our work schedules. Tell them we’re thinking about bolting to Vegas and will keep them posted.”

      She scooped up the box and held the ring so it reflected the morning light streaming through the stained-glass window. “You’re really, really good at lying.”

      Lying? He prided himself on being a man who stuck to the truth, even if he did his best to make that truth something others would buy into. “I’m just an ad man spinning the product.”

      She stayed silent, but her eyes said loud and clear she thought he was lying to himself.

      Steam from the shower still coating the air, Lauren tucked the towel more snugly around her body and raced to the telephone. God, she felt like a teenager rushing to catch a call from a guy.

      Gasping, she snatched up her cell phone from the bedside table, her wet hair a dripping rope over her shoulder. “Hello?”

      Her mother’s voice popped through the airwaves, loud, high-pitched and frantic. “Lauren, I got a call from the lawyer for Aunt Eliza’s estate today.”

      Lauren dropped to the edge of the bed, her stomach knotting as she mentally kicked herself for not checking caller ID. “Why is he speaking with you, instead of phoning me directly?”

      Could something actually be wrong? The money from Aunt Eliza’s estate had already been transferred to her—and stolen by the crooked accountant.

      “He said he’s looking for you and can’t find you. Where are you?”

      “I’m on a business trip, but I have my cell phone and am checking e-mail. I’ll give him a call. Thank you for the heads-up,” she said quickly, hoping to end the conversation.

      “Dear, he says you’re having financial troubles.”

      Lauren measured her words carefully. Her parents had plenty of money and didn’t hesitate to share it with her, which was generous. Except that money came with big strings attached. And quite frankly, she didn’t want to be a trust-fund kid, living her entire life off Mom and Dad’s hard work, never accomplishing anything on her own. “Things are tight at work, but I’m settling that out.”

      “Tight? Most businesses fail in their first year, you know, dear.” Her mom’s jeweled glasses chain clicked in the background as she fidgeted.

      “Yes, Mother. I know the statistics.” And she prayed her business wouldn’t add to the failed numbers on that list. “Thank you for passing along the message.”

      Jacqueline pressed ahead. “You know, I’m going to call my accountant to talk to you. Make sure to keep your cell phone with you.”

      “Thank you, Mom, but I can handle it.” And she would. She hugged her towel closer, shivering.

      “You’ve never been good with money, dear.”

      Staying silent, she bit her lip. Hard. The barb dug deeper than her teeth.

      Her mother continued. “Remember when you blew your entire savings on that watch?”

      “Mom—” the words bubbled up in spite of the fact she knew better than to argue with her mom on a rant “—I was in the third grade. My savings fit in a piggy bank.”

      Her mother’s voice cracked on the start of a sob. “Of course. What do I know? I only care about you.” Jacqueline gasped again and again between words, her voice bobbling. “There’s no need to attack me. You’re just like your father, always picking, picking, picking at everything I do.”

      “Mom, I’m sorry—”

      “Yes, well, at least I have somewhere to go to relieve the stress. Did I tell you about my new vacation home?”

      Lauren closed her eyes. Already weary and it wasn’t even lunchtime. Her mother’s mood swings were nothing new, but exhausting all the same. She just listened and hmmmed when her mother shared the details of the latest perfect place to get away to.

      Which actually meant a new place to start over, since she’d alienated the people in her old vacation community. Lauren had seen it play out time and time again. While she half listened to her mother, she stared at the little velvet box.

      Jason had been so calmly helpful in dealing with her mother. He’d helped her with her business troubles and her mother. He was certainly trying to understand what she needed, as well, even down to small details like the flowers in her office and the toast for the morning.

      His reasons for becoming engaged might feel calculated, but what did she really have to lose by simply wearing his ring? Just by sliding that diamond on her finger, she could help him secure his job, which made for a more secure future for their baby. He was already doing everything he could to help stabilize her business, too.

      She slipped the velvet box from the side table. The ring winked suggestively from the bed of velvet.

      It was just a formality, really. She was here, in his house, pregnant with his child. What did it matter if she wore the ring?

      Phone tucked under her chin, Lauren slid the ring in place and closed her fist. She knew this was the right thing to do, but the thought of sitting around here all day staring at that ring and second-guessing herself made her nerves churn so fast she feared losing her toast.

      Jason wanted his office to know about their engagement. He’d given her time to gain her footing even though the delay could cost him. So why bother waiting? She could meet the people he worked with and even surprise Jason with a casual meal out where they could start

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