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 coffee,"

bow. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for

Effie burst out

from Nita

mock-offended, "Do I need an excuse to take my friends out? Are we even friends

friends," Effie replied

“But tonight is a friends-only

shake the feeling that there was more to Nita's words, but

same restaurant Lyman had taken her to the

you find this place?" Effie asked as they

surprised. "Wait, you've been here

known Effie for years, Nita could read her friend's thoughts with just a

Lyman brought

dramatically, "If I'd known, I would've asked you to book the table. I wasted a favor

favor?" Effie echoed. "What kind of

clearly not wanting to elaborate. "Oh, I'll tell you next time. It's a long

Just then, Maurice arrived.

packed, with people lining

bundled up enough that nobody seemed to

of Mr. Elliott. We

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