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.

you a coffee," she

offered an exaggerated bow. "Thank you, Your

lost!" Effie

day, Effie got a call from Nita

phone, mock-offended, "Do I need an excuse to take my

friends," Effie

continued, “But tonight is a friends-only

was more to Nita's words, but she agreed

Angelo's, the same restaurant Lyman had

you find this place?" Effie

looked surprised. "Wait, you've

known Effie for years, Nita could read

Lyman

to book the table. I wasted a

echoed. "What kind of

wanting to elaborate. "Oh, I'll tell you

Just then, Maurice arrived.

people lining up out the

bundled up enough that nobody seemed to

I'm a friend of Mr. Elliott. We spoke earlier-do you

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