The Wrong Proposal by Bow Leesa

Author:Bow, Leesa
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780645687132
Published: 2023-12-04T00:00:00+00:00

19

FRANKLIN

A thick vine twists around the overhead wood structure, purple flowers hanging like lanterns above us. The inviting blue pool with a waterfall cascading from the back wall tricks my mind into a state of calm.

Much of my teenage years were spent by this pool. During college, semester breaks were spent at home. I studied for hours out here until my younger siblings’ guests would arrive and destroy the peace.

My mother requested her family to meet at nine to discuss her plans for the gala ball. No excuse will be tolerated when it comes to doing our part at her favorite fundraising event. No one else has arrived yet, and it’s a relief because all I can think about is Penny. Last night, she seemed just as surprised as I was by those three words. Could we be more?

Lola pours spring water from a jug and fills my glass. “Have you eaten breakfast, Mr. Hendricks?”

“I have, thank you, Lola.” She moves to fill the other glasses at the unoccupied table. My father steps out of the house and sits across from me. “How was your trip?” I ask him.

He smiles. “Never a complaint when business takes you to Italy.”

I take a sip of water and place the glass within reach. “Mom mentioned you had dinner with Daphne.”

“I did.” His eyes hold mine. “She’s split from Stephano.”

“I didn’t think they were a good match.”

“Daphne also mentioned she is not over you.”

A while ago, I would have rejoiced at the news. I offer no emotion. No response. I feel nothing. No regret.

“You are, however, over her?”

“I am. I wanted a second chance for so long. Now,” I shrug, and his eyes widen. I’m even picking up Penny’s habits. “That chapter has closed. I can see myself heading in another direction.”

“Orange juice, Mr. Hendricks?” Lola offers to pour Dad his juice.

He waves her on. “No, thank you. Lola, please ask my family to hurry up.” Lola disappears inside, and my father sets his focus on me. “She’s coming to your mother’s gala to support her.”

“As long as she isn’t seated beside me.”

“But you are friends? Maybe I was hasty in my judgment about her being wrong for you.”

“No, your instinct was dead right.”

He eyes me carefully. “I’m proud of you moving on.”

“That’s because he has found the perfect distraction.” Jobe pats my shoulder and then takes a seat beside me. “After our meeting the other day, I understand the attraction.”

Dad’s brow furrows. “What meeting?”

I respond before Jobe says anything stupid, “I’ve hired someone to remodel the Malibu home. We get on quite well. Her ideas are unique. I offered her a contract so I can sell it in six months.”

“Only you didn’t make it clear you hired her to bring profit. She told me about creating the perfect home for you and remodeling it to your needs.”

“Penny isn’t privy to my intentions after the renovation. I’m hiring her to make it appealing to a certain buyer.”

Jobe assesses me. “Yet she seemed to be privy to your private life last night.

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