My Grumpy Billionaire

“Put a tarantula in your bouquet and throw it at Felicia.”

Holding her ever-present tablet, Heather trots over from her work station, her expression serious. Uh-oh.

“Sorry to interrupt, but I didn’t want to wait any longer.” She looks down at my ring and smiles, although it lacks full wattage. “It’s stunning. You have to tell me everything about the proposal later. But at the moment, your father, Linda and Felicia are here.”

Shoot. Linda’s banned from entering, but Dad isn’t. I’d bet my Ferrari he got her and Felicia through security.

“They got here fifteen minutes ago,” Heather adds.

What could’ve possibly brought them here? They didn’t come to the company even after finding out Grandma left me Silicone Dream, preferring to deal with me through lawyers. “Did you tell them I wasn’t here?”

“Yes, but they refused to leave. They’re quite determined to see you.”

“Where are they?”

“I put them in the junior conference room next to your office.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

My buoyant mood deflates as I go to the small meeting room. Come on, girl. You’re the CEO, the one in charge. Act like it.

I inhale in front of the closed door. Focus on the reassuring weight of Griffin’s ring on my finger. I’m not just the boss of this company, but of my entire life.

I open the door and stride inside.

Dad’s at the head of the table. Linda is on his left and Felicia on his right. They’re doing their best to project authority, but failing, since they’re nothing at the company.

Dad frowns, while Linda and Felicia’s gazes sweep me blatantly.

Dad hasn’t changed much from the photos on the mantel, except he’s almost a decade older. Felicia’s a younger version of Linda with a harder edge. Both are wrapped in designer dresses and high-end shoes.

“Holy…! That’s huge!” Felicia shouts, her eyes burning with jealousy. “Is that a real diamond?”

I raise my hand and look at the sparkling rock. “I know. It’s too pretty to be real.” Smiling, I stay standing by the door. “What can I do for you?”

“How about a normal family greeting for once?” Dad’s voice is sharply rebuking.

“A normal family wouldn’t just barge into my office this early in the morning without asking first.”

Dad’s eyes narrow. “Your fiancé should’ve asked for my permission for your hand before proposing behind my back. I don’t appreciate finding out about his intentions through a YouTube video.”

Wow. Good for Dad for figuring out Griffin proposed based on the video of him singing in the lobby. I can’t decide what I’m feeling now. No one wants to say congratulations. Felicia’s the only one showing any interest, mainly because she’s envious of my ring.

“Dad, it’s the twenty-first century. No one asks the father anymore.”

“Todd asked,” Dad says.

I can’t believe he’s here to compare Griffin to Todd—and finding him lacking. Griffin’s the one I chose, the one I know will treat me like his soul mate. He wants to build a life with me, not because of my relationship with the college or because I have some money.

But Dad isn’t interested in such things. He only cares about what he cares about. From the smug look on Linda’s face, he wouldn’t have bothered to stop by if it weren’t for her nagging him.

And suddenly, I know who doesn’t deserve to be in my life anymore.

“Todd did ask. But then, Todd was planning on inviting you to the ceremony,” I say.

Dad’s complexion slowly turns purple. “Are you telling me we aren’t invited to the wedding?”

“That’s exactly what I’m telling you.”