Page 65 of A Bossy Surprise

“Well, I wasn’t.”

“Well excuse me if I don’t take your word for it.”

We both laugh.

“I still can’t believe you stayed the whole day.”

She shrugs. “Well, I was worried about you. By the way, I hope you don’t mind. I went through your things to find your keys. I needed to get you some medicine and I needed a way to get back in here.”

“So I hadn’t dreamt someone force-feeding me a disgusting concoction?”

“That disgusting concoction is probably the reason you’re sitting upright and talking right now.”

“You’re probably right, and no, I don’t mind.”

“Good. I was worried you would be upset.”

“Why would I be upset? How could I be? I’m so grateful that you stayed and took care of me. No one’s ever done that for me, except my mother. Not even my ex fiancée, Rachel.”

She jolts where she sits. “You were engaged?”

A belly laugh rumbles out of me. “Is that so surprising?”

“No offense, but yes.”

“I feel like I should be offended by that, but you’re pretty justified in saying that.”

“I’m so curious. Who is this woman? How did you meet? How long ago was this? What happened? Oh my God, I have so many questions.”

“Shocking…”

She settles back into the couch. “I’m sorry. I’m being insensitive.”

“It’s all right. I mean, you are being insensitive, but I don’t care. I can answer all your questions.”

“Really? Because you don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

I shrug. “I don’t mind.” I take a deep breath. “Rachel’s dad and mine were business partners. They introduced us when we were Juniors in college. It was very clear that our dads wanted us together. So we played along and started dating. We dated long enough that I actually developed feelings for her. No one was more shocked by this than me.”

“Why?”

“Because up until that point, I thought I was incapable of true romantic feelings. After witnessing firsthand my parents’ marriage, I didn’t believe in love. Or at least a peaceful kind of love.”

“Was it really that bad?”

I sit back in the couch and think back. “I mean, my parents divorced when I was really young, but the few memories I have of that time aren’t good. They screamed at each other a lot and threw things. I don’t think it ever got physical, but I remembervases and ashtrays flying through the air and shattering against walls.”

“Wow… That’s intense.”

“Indeed… Anyway, I convinced myself that I wasn’t interested in romance. Then one day I woke up and I realized that I was in love with Rachel. I was so angry that I allowed myself fall for her. Especially because this was what my father wanted, and it would make him happy.”

Kayla giggles.

“Anyway, I proposed to her on graduation day, and six months later I was standing at the altar, ready to promise myself to her for the rest of my life.”

“You called her your ex fiancée. So I’m guessing the wedding didn’t happen.”

I offer a sad laugh. “No. Apparently, Rachel had been cheating on me with some guy. She chose the morning of our wedding to run off with him.”