Million Dollar Christmas Proposal by Lucy Monroe

Author:Lucy Monroe [Monroe, Lucy]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Publisher: Harlequin Presents
Published: 2013-10-01T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

ENZU WAITED WITH Audrey outside the athletic building for her brother to come out of the locker room.

She’d tried to get rid of him, saying Franca needed to be taken home and put to bed.

Sending his daughter with one of the bodyguards to the limo took care of that particular argument. Enzu wanted to meet Toby, the young man Audrey had sacrificed so much to protect and raise.

“It could be another hour before he comes out.” Audrey tried again.

He doubted it. Particularly after the offer Enzu had made to the team’s head coach that afternoon. But he only said mildly, “You think so?”

He was not surprised in the least when a blond youth, easily as tall as Vincenzo, wearing jeans, T-shirt and letterman’s jacket came bursting out of the door to the gym building. Eyes the same dark brown as Audrey’s scanned the people milling around before landing on Enzu and Audrey.

Toby loped over, his blond hair dark with moisture. “Audrey!”

It said something about how agitated she was that his sister had not noticed the boy’s exit until that moment.

She jumped, glared at Enzu and then turned to face her brother. “Hey, Tobe. Great game.”

“It was,” Enzu agreed with a nod, putting his hand out for the teen to shake. “Vincenzo Tomasi. You are a very talented ball-player, Toby.”

The boy’s handshake was firm and long enough to indicate confidence, but not so long he gave the impression of trying to prove anything. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Tomasi. Thank you for the party tonight. That’s just sick.”

“Sick means good in teenspeak,” Audrey translated, before demanding, “What party?”

“Mr. Tomasi rented a bowling alley for the team and any friends we want to invite to celebrate our last game. Coach told us just now. Free games, shoe rental, food and soda until midnight.”

Audrey gasped. “What? I didn’t know—”

“Like I didn’t know the guy you were dating was the freaking CEO of your whole company?” Toby interrupted.

“We haven’t gone public with our association,” Enzu inserted smoothly while Audrey looked like she’d swallowed her tongue.

“Why not?” the boy demanded brashly.

Enzu gave Toby a measuring look. “Because a man in my position does not announce who he is dating before he knows if that dating is going to lead somewhere at least somewhat long-term.”

“I guess that makes sense.” Toby didn’t look entirely convinced, though. He turned to Audrey. “So, it’s okay?”

“If you go to the party?” she clarified.

“Yeah.”

“Yes, but I want you home by one.”

“As to that,” Enzu said before Toby could reply, “my country home is the same distance in the other direction as your apartment. I would like it very much if you came there instead.”

“Why would I come there?” Toby asked in confusion.

“Because you and your sister will be spending the rest of the weekend with me and my children.”

“What? You’ve got kids, man?”

“They’re his niece and nephew,” Audrey explained. “He got custody when his brother died six months ago.”

“Oh.” Toby’s youthful features reflected honest sympathy. “I’m sorry, man. That blows.”

“Yes, it does.

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