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I hung up and sat back in , Eva"

I swiveled to face Christine Field, the executive chairratulate you again on your engageaze went past my shoulder to the framed photos behind me "I’"

"That’s okay I try not to talk about my personal life at work"

I onize one of the partners Still, I hoped she got the hint Gideon was the center ofonly to oes to show that I’round"

"I doubt you’reimportant"

"Are you the reason Cross approached us with the Kingsn?"

I winced inwardly Of course she’d think I would recommend my employer to my boyfriend, because she’d assuh toher I had been with Waters Field & Leaer than I’d been with Gideon, when I had been employed there only a couple ofaround

Worse, I was pretty certain Gideon had used the vodka can as an excuse to draw me into his world on his terms That didn’t mean Mark hadn’t done a phenomenal job on the request for proposal I didn’t want my relationship with Gideon to shift any of the focus away from my boss and his accoency on his own," I replied, sticking to the truth "Which was a great decision Mark rocked that RFP"

Christine nodded "He did All right I’ll let you get back to work Mark’s been singing your praises, too, by the way We’re glad to have you on our teaed a smile, but my day was off to a rocky start First, Gideon knocked u treated differently at work because nificant way

Opening ’s e-mail I understood that Gideon wanted to ainstto be a problem, which hy I’d put it off, but I hadn’t had an ulteriorit up or when I’d kissed Brett, either I had hurt Gideon, yes, but could sincerely say I hadn’t consciously intended to do so

On the flip side, Gideon had deliberately set out to hurtto do it So I felt as if a core column of trust had been shaken

Did he know that? Did he understand how big a proble and I answered withto wait to tell h escapedup to be a trial "Hi, Mo ht!" she accused "Did he ask you on the way to dinner? Because you didn’t say anything about a proposal e talked about hi your father and Richard for per at Cipriani’s and was pretty sure, but when you didn’t say anything, I didn’t push because you’ve been so touchy lately And--"

"And you’ve been violating the law lately," I shot back

"--Gideon earing a ring, too, so I thought --"

"It is"

"--and then I read about your engagement online! I mean, really, Eva No etting married!"

I stared atup "What? Where on the Internet?"

"Take your pick! Page Six, HuffPostAnd let ether a proper wedding before the end of the year!"

My daily Google alert hadn’t hitso quickly I spelledIt didn’t matter

Socialite Eva Tra Not literally, of course Multibillionaire entrepreneur Gideon Cross, whose name is synony less than platinuer of the woman who’ll bear his name (see photo at left) A source at Cross Industries confiriant rock on Tra Cross has been seen wearing (see photo at right) A wedding is planned before year’s end We have to wonder what the rush is Operation Gideva Baby Bump Watch has commenced

"Oh o I have to call Dad"

"Eva! You need to co"

Thankfully hton his work schedule "I can’t I’o this weekend with Cary"

"I think you need to put off any travel for a while You need to--"

"Start withoutat the clock "I don’t have anything specific in mind"

"You can’t be seri--"

"Gotta go Have to work" I hung up, then pulled open the desk drawer that held my smartphone

"Hey" Mark Garrity leaned over the top ofcrooked ser hovered over the ho what I was paid to do--work--and ement from me Usually, it wouldn’t be a dilemma at all to choose I lovedoff But my dad had been in a funk since he’d messed around with uy to take sleeping with a htly, even one he was in love with

I put the phone back in the drawer "Absolutely," I replied, pushing back fro my tablet

When I settled into my usual seat in front of Mark’s desk, I sentimportant to share with him and that I’d call at noon