A Very Exclusive Engagement(21)

“How about some more random trivia about you? Likes and dislikes,” Liam said.

“My favorite color is red. I adore dark chocolate. I’m allergic to cats. I can cook, but I don’t. I hate carrots and yellow squash. My middle name is Irish and impossible to spell or pronounce properly.”

Liam had to ask. “Wait, what is it?”

“My middle name? It’s pronounced kwee-vuh, which is Gaelic for beautiful. Unfortunately, in English it’s pronounced absolutely nothing like it’s written. C-A-O-I-M-H-E.” She spelled out the name for him and then said it again. “Try explaining that to the woman at the DMV.”

Liam laughed, not trusting himself to repeat the name without slaughtering it. “My middle name is Douglas. Not very exciting or hard to spell.”

“I envy you.”

“What about your dad’s side of the family? You haven’t mentioned much about them.”

“My dad isn’t that close with his family, which is silly considering they live in Malibu, only about thirty miles from Beverly Hills. I only ever saw my grandparents on holidays and birthdays. I’m much closer with my mother’s side of the family.”

“Sounds more like my family. I almost never see them. Tell me something else about you.”

“What else? I never exercise—I hate to sweat. And I enjoy luxurious bubble baths and long walks on the beach.” She finished with a laugh. “This is turning into a lame personal ad.”

“It’s not lame. If I ran across it, I’d be messaging your in-box in an instant.”

“Thanks. But enough about me. What about you?” Francesca asked. “Your turn to tell me all about Liam Crowe.”

*

Dinner had been very nice. The conversation flowed easily and Francesca had to admit she had a good time. She enjoyed spending time with Liam. Honestly, she liked him. He was handsome, smart, funny and easy to talk to. It was nice to hear him talk about his family and his work. He was so passionate about his career; it made her understand just how important the success of ANS was to him. A part of her wished she had met him in college. Who knows what would’ve happened then?

Well, that wasn’t true. She knew what would’ve happened. They would’ve dated, she would’ve fallen for him and he would’ve broken it off at some point, breaking her heart. Liam wasn’t much of a long-term guy. They were only engaged now because his aunt had recognized that in him and twisted his arm.

Despite that, he seemed to be taking the whole thing pretty well. She wasn’t exactly sure how Liam felt about their forced proximity, but he didn’t let it show if he wanted to be someplace else. Actually, he’d been quite complimentary of her, listening to her when she spoke and watching her over his wineglass with appreciative eyes.

Liam pulled up his gray Lexus convertible outside her town house and killed the engine. He turned in his seat to face her, a shy smile curling his lips. He watched her collect her purse and sweater, not speaking but also not making a move to let her out of the car, either.

Their plotting dinner suddenly felt like a date and it made her a little nervous. It was silly considering he’d not only seen her naked, but they were engaged. Technically.

“I had a good time tonight,” she said, feeling stupid the moment the words left her lips.

“Me, too. I, uh, wanted to say thank-you again for doing this for me. And, you know, for the company. I feel like I’ve hijacked your entire life today.”

Francesca tried to think about what she was supposed to have done today. She certainly had plans of some kind, but Liam had wiped her memory clean along with her calendar. “I’m sure I didn’t have anything important planned and if I did, it will still be around for me to do tomorrow.”

“Do you have time on your schedule to have some engagement portraits taken? I wanted a picture to put with the newspaper announcement.”

“I think so. Just have Jessica look at my calendar in the morning. Do I need to wear anything in particular or do something special with my hair or makeup?”

Liam watched her, shaking his head. “You’re perfect just as you are. I couldn’t ask for a more beautiful fiancée.”

Francesca blushed. She couldn’t help it. To hear him talk, she was the most beautiful woman in the world. It was ridiculous. She was a pretty enough woman but nothing special. He had a knack for making her feel special, though. “You’re just sucking up so I don’t change my mind.”