Trust Fund Fiance - Naima Simone Page 0,19

contained a quiet strength that was often underrated. Admittedly, by Reagan herself.

“Well, you said you had a surprise, and this is definitely one,” Henrietta said, crossing the room toward them. “Welcome, Ezekiel.” She held both her arms out toward him, clasping his hands in hers. He lowered his head and kissed each cheek. “It’s so good to see you.”

“You, too, Ms. Henrietta,” Ezekiel said. “Thank you for having me here.” He gently extricated his hands from hers and returned one back to the base of Reagan’s spine.

And her mother’s shrewd gaze didn’t miss it.

“None of this ‘Ms. Henrietta’ stuff. Please, just Henrietta,” she admonished with a smile. “And you look beautiful this evening, Reagan.” She scanned her daughter’s purple sheath dress and the nude heels. “Any special reason?”

“Very subtle, Mom,” Reagan drawled, shaking her head. Relief tiptoed inside her chest, easing some of the anxiety that had resided there since she and Ezekiel had left his home. Maybe this wouldn’t be as difficult as she’d imagined. “Actually, Zeke and I would like to talk with you and Dad before dinner.”

Her father moved to stand beside her mother, and his impenetrable expression would’ve made the Sphinx cry in envy. Reagan’s nerves returned in a flood, streaming through her so they drowned out the words that hovered on her tongue.

Jesus, she was a grown woman. Why did her father’s approval still mean so much to her?

Because it’s been so long since you experienced it.

So true. In ten years, she’d tasted disappointment, glimpsed censure, felt his frustration. But it’d been so very long since his eyes had lit up with pride. A part of her—that sixteen-year-old who’d once been a daddy’s girl—still hungered for it.

Maybe Ezekiel sensed the torrent of emotion swirling inside her. Or maybe he was just a supreme actor. Either way, he shifted his hand from her back and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, gently pulling her farther into his side, tucking her against his larger frame. Like a shelter.

One she accepted.

If only for a few moments.

“Douglas, Henrietta, as you know, Reagan and I have been friends for years. Since we were younger,” Ezekiel said, his deep voice vibrating through her, setting off sparks that were wholly inappropriate. “In the last couple of months, we’ve rekindled that friendship and have become even closer. I’ve spoken to her, because it is ultimately her decision, but I also wanted to obtain your blessing to marry your daughter.”

Silence reigned in the room, deafening and thick. Reagan forced herself not to fidget under the weight of her father’s stare and her mother’s wide-eyed astonishment.

“Well, I—” Henrietta glanced from the both of them to her father, then back to them. “I have to admit, I was expecting you to tell us you two were dating, not...” She trailed off. Blinked.

“I know it seems quick, Mom,” Reagan said, stunned at the evenness of her tone. When inside her chest twisted a jumble of emotion—trepidation, fear...uncertainty. “But considering how long Zeke and I have known each other, not really. We just fell for one another, and it felt right.”

Good God, how the lies just rolled off her tongue. She was going to hell with a scarlet L for Liar emblazoned across her breasts.

“Is that so?” her father asked, finally speaking. “Then why is this the first time we’ve heard of this...relationship?”

Reagan hiked her chin up, straightening her shoulders and shifting out from under Ezekiel’s arm to meet her father’s narrowed gaze. This was their vicious cycle. His censure. Her hurt. Her defiance. Next, their mother would step in to soothe and arbitrate.

“Because we decided to keep it to ourselves until we were ready to share our personal business with everyone else. The only thing faster than Royal’s gossip grapevine is the speed of light. We wanted to make sure what we had was solid and real before opening ourselves up for the scrutiny that comes from just being a member of the Wingate family and a Sinclair. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Speaking of that,” Douglas added, his attention swinging to Ezekiel. His expression hardened. “With all that Wingate Enterprises is embroiled in right now, you didn’t consider how that might affect Reagan?”

“Dad—”

“Of course I did, Douglas,” Ezekiel cut in, his tone like flint. “I would never want to expose her to any backlash or disrespect. Believe me, I’ve suffered enough, and I don’t want to subject her to that. Protecting her is my priority. But if my own past and this situation has taught me anything,