Marrying My Billionaire Hookup

However, it obviously goes over his head.

“Is this because Nora isn’t getting promoted this year?” Dad demands. “Stop being passive-aggressive. You know how much I hate that. Such emotional pettiness and manipulation has no place at the company.”

He doesn’t say it, but I can hear it anyway. Don’t act like a woman. And the larger issue: he won’t promote the women I put on the promotion list because they are women. In his universe, not having a penis means prone to being emotionally petty and manipulative.

“I have some personal matters I need to attend to,” I say coldly, refusing to have this argument over the phone. “I’m not sure why you bring up Nora when you feel there’s nothing wrong with the board’s decision not to promote her. Again.”

There is a pause. “When are you going to be back? There are meetings you can’t miss.”

I stare at the jacket I left on an armchair last night. To be honest, I don’t want to go back. Not for a while, not while he’s dating Mom. If I tell him so, is he going to accuse me of “emotional pettiness and manipulation”? I’m tempted, but that wouldn’t be appropriate. “I don’t know yet. We can teleconference for anything essential.”

“You need to be here in person! You’re representing the Blackwoods.”

“Surely not. The head of the family is you.” Something I’ve been reminded of regularly. Dad likes to pull that card every time he feels he’s being attacked or criticized, especially by me.

He lets out a deep sound of displeasure. “I see. Very well. Keep in touch and I’ll have Susan update you.”

He hangs up before I can tell him not to bother. Susan already knows how to do her job without his micromanagement.

I make a mental note to give her a bonus.

I start to put the phone down, but it a text message comes in. What now? I glare at the screen, but my mood turns slightly lighter. It’s Yuna. Doesn’t she sleep? It’s a little after six right now. On the other hand, I should’ve known she’d want an update.

I call her number. “Hello, Yuna.”

“When is the wedding? And where? D

oes she have a dress in mind? Color scheme? I don’t want to wear anything that’s going to clash. And when does she want the baby shower?” The questions come like a machine gun.

“I…don’t know.” If she was truly curious about all this, she should’ve called Jo. Even if Jo had accepted my proposal, a wedding gown and color schemes aren’t something I’d ever get involved in.

That stops Yuna cold. “You don’t…? What don’t you know? She’s pregnant! You have to hurry before she starts showing.”

I make a noncommittal noise. I know about as much about maternity wedding gowns as I do about lipstick shades.

“She said yes, right?” Yuna asks.

No. “It was…inconclusive.”

“What do you mean, ‘inconclusive’? It was a yes-or-no question.” She inhales audibly. “Oh no. You forgot flowers and cake, didn’t you?”

“I needed flowers and cake? I was trying to propose, not sing the woman happy birthday.” Wait… Was it Jo’s birthday?

No. It couldn’t have been. If it had, her family would’ve sung the song.

“Edgar, it’s about the mood. You have to create the right mood. Flowers and cake always do the trick.”

“I’ll be sure to let your future husband know, but believe me, that wasn’t the issue.”

I tell Yuna what happened last night. She isn’t going to get off the phone until I do, and maybe she has some pointers—other than cake and flowers—that I can use. Given that it would be preferable to get the ceremony done before Jo shows too much, my plan needs to be solid.

“You should’ve told her you loved her.” Yuna says it with an uncharacteristic hovering quality, as though she can’t quite settle between disapproval or respect. “I mean, it was good you didn’t lie, but marriages are like mergers and acquisitions, Edgar. Some sweet, empty words wouldn’t have hurt.”

I cock an eyebrow. Corporate daughter or not, Yuna is a pianist. I’m quite certain she hasn’t executed a single M&A in her life. “When I do mergers and acquisitions, I don’t offer up empty words. I negotiate. I give them X and they give me Y.” In this case, I deal with Jo’s objections, and she marries me and we raise the baby together.

“Right. Of course. That isn’t so terrible. Solid foundation.”

“You’re not even trying to hide the placation in your tone, are you?”