The Dating Plan(104)

Liam spun her around and yanked up her skirt. “I love it when you schedule our sexy times. It turns me on.”

“That’s good because I planned for this in advance and left the Avengers at home.”



* * *



? ? ?

“DAISY! I’ve been looking all over for you.” Madison caught Daisy as she exited the restroom, one minute later than scheduled, giving her only nine minutes to get to her pitch.

“I’m actually just on my way to a—”

“Oh. Liam.” Madison cut her off, smirking when Liam walked out of the restroom behind her, still adjusting his tie. “Nice to see you again.”

Totally nonplussed, Liam smiled. “Madison.”

“Men’s room closed?”

“Not at all.” He put an arm around Daisy’s shoulder and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Just needed a little alone time with my fiancée.”

Madison’s smile faded. “You’re still engaged?”

“Yes, we are.” He held up Daisy’s hand to show off the diamond ring he’d bought her to replace the Sharks ring he’d given her at the bus stop. “When you meet the woman you want to spend the rest of your life with, you don’t let her go.”

Daisy slipped an arm through Liam’s. “How’s Orson?”

“Orson?” Madison frowned as if she had no idea who Daisy was talking about. “Oh. He’s gone. Maybe New York?”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“I was sorry to hear that Organicare was going under.” Madison’s smirk returned. “I was wondering if you were interested in coming back to work for me. I need a senior software engineer and—”

“Organicare isn’t going under,” Daisy said. “We’ve given the company a total overhaul and we’ve just secured our Series B funding. I’ve had interest from other investors and I’m here to meet some of them right now. So, if you’ll excuse me . . .”

“She’s the CEO,” Liam said, beaming. “She saved the company and now she’s running the whole show.”

“Congratulations.” Madison’s voice was flat as she checked her watch. “You’re right about the time. I’ve got a meeting in five minutes. I’d better go.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” Daisy said to Liam. “It was a little bit petty.”

“You enjoyed every second of it.”

Her lips tipped in a smile. “Okay. I did. She was like every mean girl in high school who mocked me, and now the tables have turned and not only am I running a company, I got the coolest guy in school.”

Liam put an arm around her shoulders. “My fiancée thinks I’m cool.”

“I think you’re hot, but we’d better not go down that road again because we’ll be late.” They walked down the corridor, and she couldn’t help but remember the last con they’d attended together. This time there were no aunties chasing her with suitors in tow, no heartbreaking moments listening to her ex-boyfriend making out with her boss, no fumbling with boxes of pads as she quelled her fear at the thought of helping Tyler with the pitch . . . but there was Liam. Always and forever Liam.

“I was worried she was going to ask us how we first met.” Daisy leaned into his side. “Maybe we should have a plan.”

“We don’t need a plan,” Liam said. “We’ll tell them the truth. We met when we needed to meet. We found each other when we needed to be found. We fell in love because it was meant to be. And you became mine at a bus stop in the rain.”





Acknowledgments


Writing often starts as a solitary endeavor, but it takes a team to bring a story to life.

To the entire Berkley team, including Tara O’Connor, Jessica Mangicaro, Marina Muun, Katie Anderson, and especially my fantastic editor, Kristine Swartz, who can make a story shine with one stroke of her virtual pen, and tempt me with delicious recipes that I have yet to be able to replicate.

To my agent, Laura Bradford, for her tenacity, faith, and ability to talk me through the highest highs and the lowest lows.

To my friends Anne and Andrea, for enduring my endless talks about writing and the woes of editing, sharing my highs and lows, and keeping me sane.

To all my desi readers who wrote to me after reading The Marriage Game to share their enthusiasm, support, and encouragement. I will keep writing if you promise to keep reading.

To Sapphira, who encouraged me to write a different kind of hero, and talked me through the twists and tangles of the plot. May your world be filled with the strong, smart, empowered women you inspire me to write.

To my parents, Joe and Marie, and to Sharon, Rana, Adele, and Tarick, for supporting my dreams and for thinking I am the world’s best writer.

To John and my girls, for your endless patience, love, support, and attempts at cooking. I wouldn’t be where I am without you.