Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss

Chapter 98

Chapter 98

"Are you okay if we stop off and pick up some curry?" Aaron asked fifteen minutes into the drive to his apartment.

ay there.

Maine wasn't actually with him, opting to finish cooking at said apartment while they made their way

She nodded in the front seat next to him, her eyes focused on the nearly dark world outside the windows of the car. "Curry sounds amazing. honestly," she agreed with a smile. "Hell yeah," Aaron echoed, grinning at her widely while he took a sharp right turn.

She sat back in her seat, content and warm being with her best friend.

commercial part of

part of the city, and it

A few minutes later, she realized she didn't recognize the area Aaron was driving them to. This wasn't an overly co could hardly be considered part of the inner-city limits at all, really. over at him with a frown ON her face

"What's the restaurant called?" she tried to clarify with Aaron, looking ov

honestly don't remember. It's some hole in the wall that Harry recommended to me a few weeks ago. Aaron shrugged, turning down a side

He parked the car a few minutes later in a sort of half alleyway, cutting the engine.

"Parking is a bitch right in front of the building. Do you want to come in with me?" Jean asked her, unbuckling his seatbelt,

She looked outside at the imposing red, brick building on her right. "Yeah, I'll come with you." She unlatched her buckle, opening her car door and carefully stepping out onto the rough pavement.

Aaron was at her side only a moment later, offering her his arm to help her walk around to the doors of the building in her heels. Curiously, confusingly, the front of the building didn't present as a restaurant at all. It almost looked. It almost looked like.... "Aaron Why is there artwork in the windows?" she inquired slowly, walking up the few steps to the double glass front doors

Aaron only grinned at her, an air of mischief suddenly surrounding him. She narrowed her eyes at him when he pulled one of the doors open, indicating for her to walk inside first. She did so hesitantly, incredibly suspicious about where they actually were and what they were doing

It was definitely an art gallery, that much was obvious. Though, it didn't appear to be open. The only lighting illuminating the space, were several small, backlights that cast a warm, orange glow along the various windows and soft, white walls.

It was cozy, and if anything, she was eager to glance at even a few of the many pieces of other people's creativity.

Aaron took hold of her hand, leading her down a long hallway off to the left of what she assumed was the main gallery. She took in his appearance more fully, noting the nice pants he was wearing, along with the nice button down. It looked like he had even combed his near mullet

This was a setup of some kind, she was sur

was sure of it.

At the end of the hallway sat two more, cherry wood doors with gold handles. Aaron turned and met her gaze.

"Happy Birthday. Katrina""

being illuminated by soft lights. Her eyes widened as she took in the full scene in front of her. And

of all shapes and sizes nestled atop it. A quiet glow from the candlelight, even solter music, twinkling lights carefully strewn around the perimeter of the room... li was gorgeous. But what was more, were the people standing

Max, Oscar. Maine, Vincent, Jean,

suit with an equally black tie, was her love. Her best friend. Her

Her f

Kylan

breath caught

Whate hot tears filled her eyrs, and she did little to fight them back. She was overwhelmed, completely

in an immediate hug. "Happy Birthday, kiddo."

Thank y

see you." Her voice broke

tell you in person." He clutched one of her lunds between his own. "I'm in remission, Got the news yesterday." He sounded choked

for more." She hugged him one more time, smiling with such genuine

didn't stop smiling. Not as her other friends greeted her, each of them hugging her in turn and sharing

gaze met his. Katrina knew,

it not

ne his face.

and she finally walked over

you didn't have time this evening," she asked him quietly; her friends chatter

I had to put together this dinner for my girlfriend. She turned thirty today," he quietly mused, reaching out

bribe the owner of this gallery to be able to host a dinner amongst the art She gestured around the room, smiling.

to know, Kylan murmured, resting his forehead against her

I could have ever imagined" She meant every word, every feeling of gratitude, love, happiness. All of it, each one overtaking

and more. I wouldn't miss your birthday, Kate. Not yours." Kylan pressed

I really love you," she vowed to him

hers. "I love you," he breathed, his lips ghosting over hers for a

to keep our appetites," Aaron grumbled

best friend. "If you're jealous, just say that, Aaron boy." She

to open the dinner a moment later, but not before sending

hour eating an immaculate meal containing all of her favorites, laughing and conversing with her closest companions with an

walked around the gallery with Kylan in tow, her arm

with Kylan was pretend, a seemingly simple farce that both confused and thrilled her, she described each

same date long ago, Kylan listened. He watched her. He held her. Only this time. This time, all of it was real. All of it was safe. And the happiness that she felt, the content that nestled its way into her heart, her mind, and her body, was just as real, just