The Girlfriend (The Boss 2)

“Oh no, was I supposed to set out twenty-seven shoes, then?” I teased Neil. “I didn’t even leave out one, the staff here pick everything up the minute you leave it unattended.”

“Not to worry, I did it for you.” He smiled his mysterious half smile and pointed to the tall windows behind the tree.

Rising from the sofa, I went off in the direction he’d pointed. In the corner of the low windowsill, a gorgeous nude-colored Christian Louboutin pump waited with an envelope inside.

I picked up the shoe reverently. It was goddamned beautiful, shiny, and oh, such a sexy tall heel. I slipped one of my own shoes off, took the envelope out of the Loubou, and tried the shoe on immediately. It fit perfectly. I thought of Neil carefully examining my shoes while I had packed. He’d gotten this before we’d left New York.

“What’s in the envelope?” Emma asked, snuggling closer to Michael on the velvet upholstered settee.

I unfolded the paper inside and read the note silently.

My darling Sophie,

The other shoe is waiting for you upstairs. Be sure to pack them when we leave for Paris for New Year’s Eve.

Merry Christmas, and all my love,

N

“Well, what does it say?” Emma demanded.

I raised my head, beaming, momentarily speechless. “Neil is taking me to Paris for New Year’s.”

“Go Dad!” Emma said, giving him a thumbs up. “Very romantic.”

I went to Neil and leaned down to kiss him briefly. I’d save the utter mauling for when we were alone. “Thank you. You’re wonderful.”

“Speaking of romantic,” Michael said, nudging Emma. “Remember when you said you thought Christmas-themed proposals were romantic?”

Neil’s attention shifted sharply. I looked up, my focus drifting with everyone else’s toward Emma and Michael. You could have heard a pin drop as Michael rose from the couch, then took a knee in front of her.

“Oh my god,” Valerie said softly, her hand flying up to her mouth.

The expression on Neil’s face echoed Valerie’s sentiment, but for the opposite reason. His facial “Oh my god,” was more like, “Oh my god, that bear is eating my loved one.”

“Emma, I am... so in love with you,” Michael said, his voice breaking with emotion. “And I know how important family is to you. So that’s why I wanted them with us when we started our family together. Emma, will you marry me?”

My knees went weak at the adorableness. A tear rolled down Emma’s cheek, and she wiped it away with her thumb as she nodded, frantically, and giggled, “Yes!”

CHAPTER EIGHT

Emma’s mother, aunt, and grandmother erupted into congratulations and applause. Her father looked like he’d just accidentally swallowed a tack.

Michael took a small black box from his pocket and opened it. From across the room, I didn’t get a good look at the ring, but I was certain the diamond in it was conflict-free.

I nudged Neil’s shoulder with my elbow as I sat on the arm of his chair. “Your daughter is getting married, look happy,” I whispered.

He shook his head, cleared his throat and stood. Finished effusively hugging her mother, Emma launched herself at her father. He hugged her, hard, and when he stepped back, he reached for Michael’s hand.

“Michael,” was all he managed to say in congratulations. He addressed Emma with a carefully neutral expression. “I had no idea the two of you had discussed marriage.”

“Well, we were talking about it.” Emma was positively radiant as she looked at her new fiancé. “But I had no idea. This is such a wonderful surprise!”

“I think this calls for a toast, doesn’t it Neil?” Valerie prompted. She was trying to distract him before he lost the will to force cheerfulness.

“Yes, of course.” He nodded. “The staff has all gone for the night, I’m afraid, but I’m sure I can manage something.”

“I’ll go with you,” Valerie said quickly, hopping up from the arm of the sofa.

As much as I didn’t like the way she’d treated me tonight, I had to admit I was glad it was Valerie and not me going off to the kitchen with Neil. I had no idea how he was going to take this. Did Valerie know how much he disliked Michael? Maybe she’d be more understanding about the whole thing than I could be.

I bristled with jealousy at that. God, what was the matter with me? I should be happy that Neil had friends who understood his sometimes-weird moods and reactions to things. I didn’t need to be everything for him. I just needed to be Sophie, and that was good enough, he’d shown me that repeatedly.

I realized I was staring off in the direction they’d gone when I looked over and saw Emma watching me. I smiled automatically. No way in hell was I going to let her know that I was jealous of her mother. That would put her in such a horrible position, and it would make me a complete jerk.