Breaking up with My Boss - Alexis Winter Page 0,15
she had on men. I thought I was only attracted to her because she hated me so fervently, but maybe it’s more than that.
“I’ll just take a water with lemon, please.”
He nods. “Very well. Would you like a basket of rolls while you wait?”
“No,” I say at the same time Poppy says, “Yes, please.”
The two of us look at each other. The waiter is clearly confused and finally says, “I’ll bring a basket.” He walks away.
“Why are you turning down free bread?” she asks.
“Why are you accepting free carbs?” I reply.
There’s a long moment in which the two of us are just squaring off, not talking. Then she rolls her eyes and her back relaxes. “Fine.”
Our drinks arrive along with a basket of rolls that remains untouched.
“Oh, I have something for you,” I say, reaching into my breast pocket and handing over an envelope.
“What is it?” she asks around a wide smile, almost like she’s surprised I’m giving her a gift.
She opens the envelope and pulls out the contents. A gym card, a business card with her trainer’s information and schedule, and a copy of her calendar for the next month. I’ve already taken the liberty of filling it in for her. Gym three times a week, etiquette classes so she can learn the proper ways things should be done in high society, and appointments to get her hair, nails, and body groomed properly.
“What’s all this?” she asks, examining everything.
“Not to start an argument or anything, but a woman who’s preparing to be my fiancée needs to take better care of herself. So I took the liberty of getting you a gym membership and I’ve booked you with a trainer three nights a week. I’ve also set up appointments for you to get a manicure and pedicure, a haircut, and a full-body wax along with a massage. I’m not demanding you do these things—just letting you know you have access.”
She presses her lips together and nods. “And this?” she holds up the reservation for the tea time during which she will be learning etiquette with other young ladies.
“It was just a guess, but I figured you didn’t know what all the forks were for on the table. That, and my family will tear you apart at dinner. The more prepared you can be, the better.”
“Seriously? Your family cares which fork I use?” Her voice pitches to an octave only dogs can hear. “What, are we on the Titanic?” she snorts, clearly amusing herself. I don’t respond. Instead, I just take a deep breath and level my eyes at her once again so she can see the seriousness in my expression. High society isn’t a joke and it still exists in America.
She nods and slips everything back into the envelope. “And when is the shopping trip? I don’t see that on here.”
“What shopping trip?” I ask, suddenly confused.
“If I remember correctly, you tossed one of my bags out the window. I had clothes and shoes in there. And it was stuff I wear frequently. Plus I don’t have gym clothes . . . unless you want me working out in the T-shirts and panties I sleep in.”
My dick twitches. So I was right. No shorts were under that shirt of hers.
I clear my throat. “We’ll go this weekend. The gym schedule starts next week. Every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.”
She smiles and nods, but then she reaches across the table and places her hand in mine. “And I can only assume that in order to sell this to your family, I’ll need an engagement ring of some kind.”
“I already have my jeweler coming by this evening so I can pick out your ring.”
“Oh, the jewelry comes to you? Nice,” she agrees.
I smile. I want to threaten her within an inch of her life if she loses the ring, but I don’t say anything, because she’s playing so well right now that I don’t want to ruin it. I wish we’d been seated in a booth so I could hold her against my side and see how far she’d let me take this.
The waiter is back. “Are you ready to place your order?”
I hand over my menu. “Yes, we’ll both take the lunch special.”
“Okay, which soup?”
“We’ll have the minestrone with the house salad, please.”
He nods. “As you wish.” He takes both menus and walks away.
I can see the fight in her eyes from me ordering for us both, and I watch, waiting to see if she’ll be able to hold her tongue or