The Boss's Marriage Plan (Proposals & Promises 2)

“What did she say to that?”

“‘Don’t be late. I have plans for the evening.’”

“I can tell she’s very happy for us.”

She gave him a look over her coffee cup. “Delirious.”

“Okay, two o’clock. That gives us time to stop by my place so I can change into clean clothes.” He was wearing the slacks and shirt from last night.

“Plenty of time.”

“Maybe we could run by the office, too. I have a couple of things I need to take care of there.”

“Fine. But if we’re late, you’ll have to explain to Nina.”

“Trust me. We won’t be late.”

She laughed in response to his fervent tone. Apparently Scott had decided it was best not to be on the receiving end of one of Nina’s icy looks.

An hour later he ushered her into his house, a three-bedroom traditional-style home in a peaceful development filled with upscale professionals with families. Because it had begun to rain, and occasionally heavy downpours were predicted all day, he’d parked in the garage and brought her in through the kitchen. She had always admired the granite counters, the cherry cabinets, the state-of-the-art appliances. The room was almost exactly what she’d have designed herself, given the choice. Scott hadn’t employed Stevie for the kitchen remodel because he hadn’t yet met her at the time, but Tess doubted her friend would have any criticism of the beautiful and functional space.

Scott had bought the house at about the same time he’d been involved with Sharon, though Tess had gotten the impression even back then that Sharon hadn’t been particularly enthused about living in this neighborhood with its families and minivans. Saying they could always flip the house for a profit and invest in something more to Sharon’s tastes, Scott had boasted about having gotten a very good deal on the place. He’d had it remodeled to his own satisfaction after Sharon had taken off. Sharon had never lived there. Tess doubted Sharon had ever even spent a night in the house.

She was ruefully aware she found that fact gratifying.

The high ceilings and open floor plan gave the first floor an airy, inviting feel. Having toured the home previously, Tess knew a private office and the master suite were located downstairs while two smaller bedroom suites and a media room made up the second floor. He favored a traditional style inside, too, with matte walls, clean lines, leather and wood and stone. Not too masculine, but well suited to a nesting bachelor.

“You have a new sofa,” she said as they entered the great room, nodding toward the large oxblood leather sectional positioned to face a big stone fireplace. Behind the sofa, glass doors led out to a travertine patio with teak furniture, a large fountain and a tidy expanse of privacy-fenced lawn beyond. He’d done little holiday decorating, but an artificial tree with multicolored lights and coordinated red and silver ornaments stood in one corner with wrapped gifts stacked neatly beneath. “Nice.”

“Thanks. I’d had the old couch for ten years. It was ready to be retired.” He motioned back toward the kitchen. “Can I get you anything?”

“No, I’m good. Go ahead and change. I’ll make myself comfortable on your new sofa.”

He moved toward the doorway. “Feel free to explore, if you want. After all, this will be your home, too, soon. Unless you want to sell both our places and find a different one,” he added, pausing with a thoughtful expression.

She waved him on. “We’ll talk about that later. Go change.”

She pressed a hand against a little flutter in her stomach after he left. Glancing around the room, she pictured herself living here. Waking in the mornings, having breakfast with Scott, perhaps riding to the office together. Sleeping in that big master suite. She’d bet he had a nice big shower in there.

She cleared her throat and sank onto the new sofa. Very comfortable. Maybe she wouldn’t have chosen leather, but she could get used to it quickly enough. She looked around. A beautiful house with a couple of extra bedrooms waiting to be filled, a handsome husband... Yeah, she could fit in here nicely, she assured herself.

He rejoined her a few minutes later wearing a royal blue shirt with khakis, clean shaven, his hair neatly combed. Her very own Prince Charming, she thought with a little smile, thinking of Stevie’s nickname for him. “So what do you think?” he asked. “Do you approve of the couch?”

She patted the soft leather. “I approve.”

He leaned over for a quick kiss. “We could always break it in,” he murmured, waggling his eyebrows.

“Mmm.” She ran a fingertip from his throat down the center of his chest to his belt buckle. And then she flattened her hand on his chest and pushed him away. “Later.”

Scott groaned. “So cruel.”

She stood and spoke with determination, “Okay, let’s do this. We’ll stop by the office and then find out exactly how our engagement is complicating my poor sister’s life.”

Scott gave one last wistful look at the new sofa, then turned with her toward the door. She paused on the way out to glance over her shoulder at the house that would be her home soon. She was sure she’d be very happy here. After all, she asked herself again, what more could she want?

Chapter Nine

The softly glowing numbers on the nightstand clock read 2:25 when Tess rolled over in the bed to check the time. She groaned and pushed at her pillows, trying to fluff them into a more comfortable position. It was a futile gesture and she knew it. Her sleeplessness wasn’t caused by physical discomfort. It was too bad she couldn’t unravel the tangled thoughts in her head as easily as she could smooth out the lumps in her pillow.