Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Lyman couldn't help but laugh in exasperation. Was it really that strange if he wasn't into celebrities?

"I'm a fan, too, you know," Lyman said.

Effie gave him a curious look, clearly intrigued. She wondered, who could Lyman possibly be a fan of?

"Who is it?" Effie pressed, her eyes sparkling with interest.

Lyman's gaze lingered on her for a moment, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face. "That's a secret," he answered slowly.

Effie pouted. "Fine, keep your secrets."

"Are you mad at me?" Lyman teased, pinching her cheek. He just couldn't resist; her face was so soft, so tempting to touch.

Effie shook her head, feigning annoyance. This guy-he was getting bolder the more familiar they became.

"No, I'm not mad."

"Someday, I'll tell you," Lyman promised, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Alright," she agreed easily.

As soon as Effie returned to the office, Shirley slipped in, glancing around as if expecting someone to jump out at her. "Effie, thank goodness you two didn't get caught! I was on the verge of a heart attack back there!"

"Thanks for covering for me," Effie replied gratefully.

a

exaggerated bow. "Thank you, Your

lost!" Effie burst out

Effie got a call from Nita

occasion?" Effie asked, grinning. "Did something good happen?" Nita's voice came through the phone, mock-offended, "Do I need an excuse to take my friends out? Are we even friends if I can't treat you to

friends," Effie

“But tonight is a friends-only

there was more to Nita's words, but she

to choose Angelo's, the same restaurant Lyman had taken her to the

place?" Effie asked as they

looked surprised. "Wait, you've

could read her

"Yeah, Lyman brought me here

asked you to book the table. I wasted a favor to get us in

favor?" Effie echoed. "What kind

elaborate. "Oh, I'll tell you

Just then, Maurice arrived.

people lining up out the

that nobody seemed

went up to the host. "Hi, I'm a friend of Mr. Elliott. We spoke earlier-do you have

our manager let us know you'd be coming," the host replied, ushering