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.

owe you a coffee," she

bow. "Thank you,

Effie burst out

next day, Effie got a call from Nita inviting her and Maurice

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

friends,"

is a friends-only dinner, okay?

was more to Nita's words, but she agreed

to choose Angelo's, the same restaurant Lyman had

this place?"

surprised. "Wait, you've been

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

nodded. "Yeah, Lyman brought me here

known, I would've asked you to book the table.

favor?" Effie echoed. "What kind

"Oh, I'll tell you

Just then, Maurice arrived.

was packed, with people lining up out

up enough that nobody

"Hi, I'm a friend of Mr. Elliott. We spoke earlier-do you have our

us know you'd be