The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 144

Rayna sat in her office at her bakery on Wednesday, leaning back in her chair with her legs casually propped on her desk and a silly smile on her face as she chatted with ET over the phone.

The bakery's usual hum of activity filled the background, but Rayna was focused on the conversation.

"So, your turn," Rayna said, twirling a pencil in her hand, "What's one thing you've always wanted in a partner but have never found?"

Ethan's voice came through her phone, warm and relaxed. "Hmm, that's a good one. I think it would be someone who understands me, you know? Not just the surface stuff but what makes me tick. Someone who can challenge me but also be my peace." Rayna smiled, lowering the pencil. "I get that. I'm kind of the same. I need someone who's ambitious but also knows how to relax. Balance is important."

"Exactly! It's all about balance. You get it." Ethan agreed.

"Of course I do," Rayna said with a proud smile.

"Now, your turn. What's your favorite movie of all time? This is important," he said, eager to see if she would tick his box in her movie choice as she had been ticking other boxes.

Rayna's laughter rumbled through the phone, soft and warm. "Oof, that's a tough one. I'd have to go with The Princess Bride. I mean, come on, it's perfect! Romance, adventure, sword fights..."

"Hm. Not a bad choice. Mine is The Matrix. It's a classic," he said, and Rayna smiled, rolling her eyes.

"Predictable. But not bad. I've got another important question for you," she said since they were taking turns asking questions.

"Lay it on me, baby," he said, and she grinned.

Somehow, in the last couple of days, he had switched to calling her baby, and each time he did, she felt warm all over.

"If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?" Rayna's voice carried a playful edge, but Ethan could sense her curiosity.

"My grandfather. He passed away when I was young, but he was the wisest man I knew. I'd love to have just one more conversation with him," Ethan said, his tone softening slightly.

There was a brief silence as Rayna smiled, touched by his answer. "That's really sweet."

"Thanks. What about you?"

tapping the pen

don't have a response as deep as yours," she

about balance, remember? We both can't be too serious all the time," He said, and they shared a laugh before Ethan's

her eyes with a contented smile. "I'd love to, but I have

but..." he trailed

what?" Rayna asked

the room. "You know, I could come to the reunion with you on

"Wait, what?" Rayna burst out laughing, shaking her

chuckling. "Let's see how many people can guess we've never met in person before. I bet we could totally pull it off. We'd walk in, and everyone would

never guess it's our first time

idea," Ethan said,

is indeed a crazy idea, and that is why I love it. It'd be fun! Plus, it'd give us the perfect excuse to spend the whole day together. You know what? You're on. Let's do it," she said with a grin that Ethan could practically hear through the phone.

lip, considering it. "Maybe because I'm your soul mate, who knows?"

some more...

eyebrows shot up, her

took a breath, his

let's

little heat rise in her cheeks but answered confidently. "I'm very affectionate when I feel a strong connection. I like to be close to my partner. I could say it's my

sounding pleased. "Me too. I think touch is important in a relationship. For me,

raised an eyebrow, "Things words can't? Like your fist saying

of touch I mean," he

kidding. What else?" She

voice softened.

personal, but it's something we should

chuckled, appreciating his straightforwardness. "I'd say I have a healthy

in a relationship, and believe in

anal sex

might sound wild, but I think we're totally compatible. I can't believe I found my soulmate through a

in her chair. "I can't believe it

just anyone that passed my minimum requirement, but you've exceeded it all,"