The Billionaire's Proposal (Scandal, Inc Book 4)

by James, Avery

  “You and I both know that that isn’t a good idea,” Maggie said as she took the coffee from him. She specifically didn’t mention why it was a bad idea. As if to emphasize that point, she watched as Harry checked her out in the doorway. The way his eyes lingered on her legs told her almost everything she needed to know. The way she felt when he looked at her told the rest of the story. He wasn’t over her, and she wasn’t over him.

  She had been so surprised by the knock that she had forgotten all about her sexy heels. She’d wondered how Harry would react to them, and now she knew. She’d be lying to herself if she said she didn’t feel a spark of excitement when he looked at her. She just knew that she couldn’t let him know that she enjoyed his glances.

  “Are you really checking me out?” she asked.

  “What?” Harry said. “And waste this beautiful morning light? I wouldn’t hear of it. Are you going to invite me in?”

  “You don’t give up, do you?” she said.

  “I think you know the answer to that,” he said.

  “Then you won’t mind waiting right here,” she said. She closed the door and headed to the hall closet for a coat. She briefly considered changing into flats, but she wondered what that would say. Harry had already seen the heels and had commented. Changing out of them would be even more obvious than staying in them. She pulled on her coat, grabbed her purse and prepared herself for Harry.

  “What were you thinking, coming here? And how did you get my address?” she asked.

  “Phone book,” Harry said with a grin.

  “That is a lie,” Maggie replied as she stepped out onto the steps.

  “I’m practicing.”

  “Really, where did you get my address?” Maggie asked. She caught Harry checking her out again. She cleared her throat and scowled at him.

  “You know, you’re very attractive when you’re annoyed.”

  “Oh yeah, and how am I when I’m mad?” Maggie asked.

  “Irresistible.”

  “How did you get my address?”

  “Blatant abuse of power,” he said. She could tell he was enjoying himself. He tapped his temple with a finger.

  “Did you just call charming someone into giving you my address abuse of power?”

  “No, but I’m glad that you think my charm is that powerful. Come on, we’re going to be late,” he said.

  “Are you going to tell me?”

  “When the time is right,” he replied. “If you play nice today, I’ll reveal all my secrets, but for now, we have an appointment to keep.” Maggie took note that he didn’t say a ring to buy. She wondered if he’d tiptoe around that as much as possible. She was fine with that. For the moment, at least, she felt like things were back to normal with him, if having him show up unannounced to bring her ring shopping could count as normal. “I thought we could walk to the jewelry store so I can enjoy one of my last days of freedom before I need armed guards whenever I leave the house.”

  “If I had my way, the armed guards would keep you in the house,” Maggie said. As they made their way down the block, the morning sun warmed her face. It really was a beautiful morning, and she hated to admit that she was enjoying her walk with Harry.

  “As long as you’re there, too,” he said.

  “Aren’t you flirtatious this morning?”

  “What can I say? It’s this brisk fall air.”

  “How did you get my address?” Maggie asked.

  “It’s confidential,” he said. “I could never betray a source.”

  “You think you’re so clever, don’t you?” Maggie asked as they made their way down the block.

  “You’re the one who keeps trying to hide her smile,” Harry replied. “I think you’re the one who’s amused by my resourcefulness.”

  “Is that right?”

  “Yeah,” Harry replied.

  She knew that she should remind him that they couldn’t be together, and that whatever they were doing was just going to lead to more confusion and heartbreak, but for the moment, she didn’t care. She was just enjoying the moment. It didn’t really matter how Harry had gotten her address; she just enjoyed giving him a hard time, and she continued giving him a hard time and making small talk right until the jewelry store came into view.

  They didn’t talk about their feelings for each other. They just let it all float around them while they tried to pretend that things weren’t complicated. Maggie knew it was futile. They had to talk about it. They had to get their story straight before someone asked them even the most innocent question about each other.

  When they reached the front door of the store, Maggie realized she couldn’t put it off any longer. She stopped in the doorway and said, “What are we doing, Harry?” She let her exasperation color her words.

  “We’re on our way to buy some metal and an expensive rock for reasons that aren’t entirely clear to me,” he said.

  “You know what I mean,” Maggie replied.

  “I don’t know,” Harry said. “I feel like I’m losing you bit by bit with every day that passes, and it’s tearing me apart. But then I feel like maybe there’s a chance we can make this work. I know what you’re going to say, but I don’t know how to let go. I tried and I can’t. It’s why I’m here. It’s why I’m trying to fix things.”

  “Some things can’t be fixed,” she said. “You have to see that.”

  “Nothing is going to change the way I feel. Whether it’s ten seconds or ten years,” Harry said.

  “I hope that wasn’t directed at me,” a voice said from behind. Maggie turned to see a clean-shaven older man in a three-piece suit. “I apologize for my tardiness. I was preparing for your visit when I got called away, but not to worry, I am here now.” The man held out his hand. “Gordon Longfellow. It’s a pleasure to meet you. You must be the fiancée-to-be. Might I add, you make a beautiful couple.”

  “Just a friend,” Maggie said.

  “My mistake,” Gordon said. “A woman’s eye is always better than a man’s for this kind of thing. Follow me.” He looked to Maggie and added, “If your friend is even half as beautiful as you, he’s a lucky man.”

  Gordon, you flatterer.

  As they made their way into the jewelry store, Maggie’s phone buzzed in her purse. She pulled it out and took a quick look. It was Abby. She was probably calling about the dinner date they’d set up for Harry and Katrina that night. She should have picked up and said something quick about everything being set, but she didn’t want to step away. She and Harry were getting along again, and it was a relief. Relief wasn’t the word she was looking for. It raised all kinds of questions, but it felt… it felt right. She clicked ignore. If it were important, Abby would get in touch with her soon.

  The jeweler led Harry straight to a case of the gaudiest and most expensive rings he had in the store. Maggie looked around the store to get her bearings. There were several room-sized vaults holding different displays of jewelry. There weren’t just the normal rings and earrings and necklaces, but estate pieces, large uncut stones—basically every piece of high-end jewelry that Maggie could imagine. She caught a glimpse of the price tag on one of the rings Harry was looking at. It cost more than the down payment on her condo.

  Maggie placed her purse down on the display case and watched as the jeweler suggested different pieces.

  Harry seemed disinterested as he looked at ring after ring. Finally, he cut to the heart of the matter. “What’s the largest stone you have in the store right now?” he asked.

  “That would be the Heart of the Yukon,” Gordon said. “Ethically sourced. Unparalleled in its beauty. It is in the vault,” he said. “I can retrieve it for you. We could have it set and ready for sale this morning if it pleases you.”

  “The diamond has a name?” Maggie asked.

  “One this exquisite does, for sure,” Gordon replied. “It is flawless, colorless and cut to perfection. It is over ten carats. It is our finest stone.”

  “It sounds perfect,” Harry said
.

  “I will be right back,” Gordon said.

  As soon as he was gone, Harry turned his attention back to Maggie. “So what do you think of the place? I didn’t want anything too fancy.”

  “This place makes Tiffany look like a mall kiosk,” Maggie said. “You’re about to look at a stone that costs several times my annual salary. And these rings are just as overwrought.”

  “What would you pick?” Harry asked. He slipped behind the counter and started walking along the case.

  “Get back from there,” Maggie said.

  “I’m about to spend a small fortune. I’m pretty sure they’d let me bathe back here if I agreed to spend that amount of money. How about this one?” he said, placing his finger down over a setting with a halo and diamonds around the entire band. “Or that one over there?”

  “They’re all too showy,” Maggie said.

  “Isn’t that the point?” Harry asked. “What would you go with, then?”

  “Something simpler, more tasteful.” She looked across the room at a case of vintage rings. “Maybe something a little less… perfect.”

  “For Katrina?” Harry said. “I think you’re forgetting who we’re talking about.”

  Maggie looked at the different cases as she made her way across the room. Too showy, too plain. She felt like Goldilocks looking at a room full of hyper-expensive platinum porridge. “Here,” she said, pointing down to a petite platinum band with a lightly etched detail that swept up around the small diamonds set in the sides to the prongs. “It’s tasteful, yet it has a hint of detail and elegance,” she said.

  Harry came over to her side as Gordon returned with the diamond. Harry motioned him over. “Can we see this one?” he asked.

  “Ah, that is a beautiful ring,” he said, “but unfortunately, it cannot accommodate a diamond of this size. It’s a one of a kind, but the craftsman could make another like it with a larger setting. It would only take a few weeks.”

  “Can we see it anyway?” Harry asked. “I’d like to see how it fits.”

  “Well, what’s Katrina’s ring size?” Maggie asked.

  Harry shrugged. “Isn’t that something you’re supposed to know? She’s about the same size as you. Can’t we see how it fits your hand and go from there?” he said.

  “Men,” Maggie said, shaking her head.

  The jeweler unlocked the case and handed the ring to Harry. Harry took the ring and held it up to the light. “It’s very pretty. It’s elegant. It’s simple, but it has just enough detail to make it unique.”

  “You would be correct, sir,” the jeweler said. “This ring is one of a kind. The maker never makes the same ring twice.”

  “Hm. Let’s see how it looks on Maggie,” Harry said.

  He took her hand in his and slid the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly. Even without a stone, it was perfect. It made her heart beat just a little bit faster. She wondered if Katrina would love it. It was gorgeous, but it wasn’t the kind of statement piece that she needed. Maggie wondered how it would feel to know millions of people would gawk over your ring. Harry seemed oblivious to her thoughts as he held her hand and examined the ring.

  “Gorgeous,” the jeweler said.

  “It is,” Maggie agreed, but something about having Harry place a ring on her finger filled her with regret. She knew he wanted it to be her. She knew that she wanted it to be her. Despite their fights and the silence and her annoyance with him, she knew what he was doing. She knew he was taking one last chance to wonder what might have been. He was still holding her hand, and she didn’t want him to let go.

  “It’s perfect,” Harry said. “I’ll take the other one. The big one.”

  “An excellent choice,” the jeweler said as he headed back to the other case.

  “Why?” Maggie asked.

  “That ring on your finger is perfect, but it won’t make a difference to Katrina. To her, more is more.”

  “Then why have me try this one on?” Maggie asked.

  “It’s always good to make comparisons,” the jeweler said, “but the gentleman has decided.” Maybe he sensed that Harry was about to say something he’d regret. Or maybe he just knew how to stop at yes and make a sale.

  So much for taking my side, Maggie thought. There was no way Harry was going to give Katrina a ring that cost five figures when he could buy her one that cost nearly seven. Her ears perked up as her phone started buzzing again across the room.

  “Do you need to get that?” Harry asked. She looked across the room at her purse, where it lay on another display.

  “No, everything’s set,” she said. She looked down at the ring again. You are in dangerous waters, Maggie, she told herself.

  “Rebel,” Harry replied. “They might send a rescue team after you if you don’t do your morning check-in.”

  “Give them some credit,” she said. “They were fine with me running off to Cuba with you,” she said.

  Harry’s eyes shot over to the jeweler. “As friends,” he said.

  “Of course,” the jeweler replied. He’d probably nod along to anything if it meant making a sale. “If you excuse me, I will get the ring and the stone ready to be set.” He cleared his throat and looked at Maggie, letting his gaze fall to her hand. “Would you mind?” he asked.

  Maggie looked back at him blankly. She couldn’t figure out what he was asking for. “The ring,” Harry said under her breath. She slipped it off and handed it to the jeweler.

  He was looking at her again. Not in an “I’m making eye contact because I want to acknowledge your existence” kind of way but in his “I want to tear your clothes off and have you right here in the street” kind of way. Or maybe it was an “I can’t stand to be so close to you, and I resent the fact that I’m in this situation” look. Or maybe it was something else. Every single time she thought she knew what Harry was thinking or doing, he went and did something else.

  When she thought he was just trying to get a little something before tying the knot, he had told her he wanted something more. When she finally came around and decided she’d go with him wherever he wanted, he had turned around and made her leave. So what was he going to do now?

  More importantly, what was she doing? For every small advance Harry had made that morning, she’d made one right back. She was acting like a lovestruck teenager instead of his handler. What am I doing? Maggie thought again. She’d given up on trying to guess. She’d given up on trying to hide her frustration, too. She couldn’t deal with this ambiguity any longer. She had to do something to get rid of it. She had to figure out where she stood.

  “Harry, what do you want from me?” she said. She could feel the frustration bubbling up inside.

  “What do you mean?” he asked.

  “You know what I mean,” she said. “You break things off and then you show up the next day like nothing happened. You ignore me and then you tell me you have to talk to me. You’re hot and you’re cold, and I don’t know what to think anymore. We’re here buying an engagement ring for your beautiful and famous fiancée-to-be, and you’re acting like we’re a couple.”

  “I just wanted to remember what it felt like to be with you,” he said.

  “Seriously?” Maggie asked.

  “I don’t mean like that,” he said. “I just got caught up. I can be myself around you. I don’t have to be so serious. I don’t have to worry what you think. I can be myself.”

  “That’s great,” Maggie said, “but it’s not my job to be your friend. It’s my job to get you married off to Katrina so your father gets what he wants, and you’re doing it again. You’re making me care. You’re making me think that maybe we have something, and we can’t have something.”

  “I want it to be you,” he said. “I want it to be you, and it’s killing me that it isn’t.”

  So much for ambiguity. She felt a rush of excitement and of regret at the same time. This was what she wanted. It was also what she couldn’t have. “It can’t be,” she said.

 
“Because I ruined things? Or because I have to marry Katrina?” Harry said.

  “Does it matter?” Maggie asked.

  “Yes,” Harry said. “It matters. Maggie, I need you.” He paused and took her hand. It was so subtle and natural that Maggie barely noticed until her fingers locked against his. “There’s something I need to ask you,” he said.

  She wasn’t ready for this conversation. She didn’t want to lie to Harry. She didn’t want to encourage him. Of course she still had feelings for him, and of course it mattered why they couldn’t be together, but she couldn’t tell him she knew that. If he took over the company, he could do so much good. If he didn’t, it would be her fault. She couldn’t say that, if it weren’t for the fact that he needed to take over his father’s company, she’d be with him. He didn’t need to hear that. He needed to hear the opposite. She just couldn’t bring herself to tell that lie. As she searched for the right words to break the silence, another sound took its place. Her phone was buzzing again. “I should get that,” Maggie said. “This will have to wait.”

  By the time she’d fished it out of her purse, it had gone to voicemail. She raised it to her ear anyway. “Hello?” she said. “Yeah, I’m listening, go ahead.” She pointed to the phone and grabbed her purse up. “Tonight? Of course, he’ll be ready. That’s right. He can’t wait to see her.”

  One week, she told herself. One week, and he’ll be engaged. It’s for the best. All you have to do is keep yourself from telling him how you feel. How hard can that be?

  Chapter 25

  If being with Maggie was Harry’s dream, doing another interview with Katrina was his nightmare. He hated going through the motions, faking the smiles, laughing at their made-up anecdotes designed to please the press. To add to the absurdity of the whole thing, the reporter had given over complete control of the process. He, Katrina, and Amy Haven had the right to approve every last word that went into print. Harry couldn’t figure out why someone didn’t just hand the reporter a prewritten article and send her on her way. He hated the lying and the faking, but mostly he hated the fact that Maggie was on the other side of the room and he couldn’t even talk to her.