The Billionaire's Forgotten Fiancée

She buried her face in his warm chest and inhaled his familiar, comforting scent. For now this was more than what she’d expected. She’d think about the rest later.

* * *

Shane rubbed Ginger’s back. She slowly calmed as time passed, and eventually fell asleep.

Did she have any idea her tears were like acid eating into his soul? He touched her face gently. If she had, she would’ve swallowed them, done her best not to hurt him. But that was why he loved her so much, and why he was so scared of being with her. She made him feel everything so intensely, all the way to the center of his heart. When she wasn’t around, it was like he wasn’t truly alive. He would go through all the right motions, do what was expected…but he wouldn’t feel anything.

After a time, he carefully disentangled himself and stood up. He hated to leave her side, but there were things to do. She probably didn’t have anything edible in the fridge—she was terrible about grocery shopping—and he didn’t want her hungry. They had an important thing or two to discuss. The sharp object in his pocket kept pricking his thigh.

Moving quietly, he went to the living room. There, he called the family concierge. “The dinner I requested some weeks ago on my return from Thailand.”

“The one you didn’t show for?” No rebuke, just confirmation.

“That’s right. I want it now.” He gave her Ginger’s address. “It’s a small apartment, and you have to be absolutely quiet because there’s a woman sleeping.”

The concierge didn’t miss a beat. “Anything else, sir?”

“That’s all.”

“Consider it done.”

* * *

The light coming into the bedroom was quite slanted. Ginger blinked, then rubbed her raw and gritty eyes. It didn’t help much.

She looked at the clock. A little after five…

Gasping, she got to her feet. Her skin felt tight from dried tears, and she splashed some cold water over her face. The fleshy parts under her eyes were puffy, but there was nothing to be done about that now.

“Shane?” she called out as she emerged from the master bedroom.

Some classical music was playing softly on a stereo—not hers, since she listened to music on her iPod and didn’t own an external speaker. With a small frown, she walked down the short hall and stopped dead at the entrance to her living room. Small, fragrant candl

es were everywhere, their tiny flames giving her apartment a soft buttery glow. Thai orchid blossoms were scattered all over the floor, and a thick, white cloth covered her humble dining table, which was set for two. A couple of covered silver trays sat in the center. Stiff ivory covers embroidered with silver and gold upgraded her two chairs into something that looked like they could fit right in at a restaurant as fancy as Éternité. A bottle of rose champagne was chilling in a shiny bucket full of ice.

“Hi,” he said from the balcony. He came inside, leaving the door open.

“Hi,” she said, suddenly shy.

“How are you feeling?”

“Better. Thank you.” She tucked her hair behind an ear. “I wasn’t sure if you were still here or not.” Wasn’t sure if you’d walk out of my life forever.

“One day you’ll never wonder about that.” He put an index finger under her chin and tilted it upward. “I’ll never leave you again.”

Her mouth parted. That was the last thing she’d expected him to say. Hope stirred, but she didn’t dare… The moment felt too fragile and fleeting—a dream. If it’s a dream, I never want to wake up.

“We should eat,” he said. “I haven’t eaten anything since brunch.”

“I didn’t eat anything all day.”

He pulled out a chair. “You should take better care of yourself.”

She sat down and spread the thick cotton napkin over her lap.

He settled to her left and uncovered the platters on the table. “I didn’t know when you’d be up, so I arranged for cold soup and cold meat. Along with some salad and bread and cheesecake.”

“Wow.” Shane ate well, and he almost always got what he wanted, but this was an amazing setup on such a short notice. “This is incredible.”