The Engagement Game (Engaged to a Billionaire) by A. Gardner Read Free Book Online Page A

steps inside without explaining any further.   "Now that's not fair.   I have to tell you every little detail of my life and you can't tell me yours?"   Jack takes a long breath and runs a hand through his hair.   His thick fingers rest on the scruff of his chin.
    "A couple years ago I met a girl," he answers.   "Cindy.   We moved in together too fast."   He looks down at his shoulder.   "I got this when we were together."
    "And . . . what happened?"   I move closer, pretending to casually survey the stained carpets and broken cabinets.
    "She uhh . . . things were great at first until I realized that our relationship was . . . well fake."
    "It was all about sex," I added.   Jack looks shocked.
    "NO," he argues.   "Not that it was uh . . . no.   She was really superficial."   I giggle when I see the color of Jack's cheeks change to a rosy pink.
    "Let me guess.   Blond hair, big boobs, and a habit of shamelessly mooching?"
    "Close," he grins.
    "Yeah," I sigh.   "I had a Cindy once."
    "Cindys," he laughs.   "I bet you met yours in high school.   Am I right?"
    " Too right," I answer.   Jack gives me a friendly nod.   His imperfect grin is suddenly tolerable.   Actually refreshing.
    "Now."   He interrupts my train of thought.   "Dinner."
    "Right.   I forgot about that."
    "Then my plan worked."   Jack looks pleased with himself.   Being forced to think about worse times when I was with Chad made me realize how far I'd come.   I'd made a promise to myself and I was inches from finally fulfilling that promise.   My life would never be the same.   Unless Holly had stooped as low as slipping something into Rex's coffee.
    "I gotta go."
    "But," he adds.   "Do you know what you're making tonight?"   I nod.   More sure of the answer than I was fifteen minutes ago.   I had to bring out the big tricks and lucky for me Holly was a horrible cook.
    "Oh yeah."   And for what I planned on wearing, I needed to get a quick workout in.   Or five.
     
    *         *          *
     
    I wipe my counter for the tenth time and take the lid off my tomato basil pasta with seared scallops.   Steam rises and the smell of fresh herb fills my nose.   It is perfect.   I check the clock.   It's already eight.   I run to the mirror in my bedroom and get a last look at my outfit.   Heels and an apron.   I'd spent ages wondering if the dress underneath was needed or not.   Yes!   You're not a slut!
    The oven timer beeps and I rush to take out my chocolate cupcakes before they burn.   My mom's recipe.   Chocolate and cayenne.   It gives the cakes a nice little kick.   I impatiently make myself comfortable on the sofa.   If this wasn't enough to keep Rex's attention, I didn't know what was.   Well . . . maybe one thing.   I hope Holly at least learns his middle name before jumping to that one.
    Holly and I were on the same soccer team in sixth grade.   Soccer wasn't Holly's strong point.   She later moved on to dance and decided that was where she belonged.   We used to taunt our competition before every game.   Holly had mastered the art of the dirty look.   She tried to teach me but it involved swallowing your conscious.
    One Saturday I attempted to make Holly proud by stepping on a girl's shoelace.   I didn't expect her to fall over, break her nose and scream bloody murder.   I remember my heart pounding so violently I thought it might burst from my chest.   I could barely swallow.   The sound of her shrieking tore me apart.   Never again!   I promise!   Never again!
    I remember hardly being able to speak when my coach walked towards me.   I literally thought my life was over.   But Holly stepped in.   She knew exactly what to say.   I never needed to explain.   With a sigh of relief, I was off the hook.   It was right then and there that I knew Holly and I made a good team though I carried around a dirty conscious for the next year.
    Now Holly and I were contenders.   How was I ever