The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Serana glanced at Boyd, her mind a blank slate as to what to say next. However, nothing was inappropriate about Yasmine’s actions afterwards. They munched on slices of cake and sipped on coffee, making small talk about how each other had been lately.

Aside from her initial sharp words, Yasmine’s demeanor was so faultlessly normal you couldn’t pick a bone with it. If there was anything to comment on, it was that her phone never seemed to leave her hand for long.

But the more she played it cool, the more both Serana and Boyd felt something was off.

“Do you come here often?” Boyd asked casually as Yasmine’s plate became crumb-free.

Yasmine gave a half-smile. “Yeah.”

“It is a nice place,” he admitted.d2

Taking a sip of her coffee, Yasmine leaned back in her chair. “Yeah.”

Boyd pursed his lips, and silence fell like a curtain.

Serana looked on, worry creasing her forehead. For years, Boyd had always been the one looking down on others, never the one to seek out chit-chat.

Serana could tell he was trying to find common ground, to say something – anything – to ease the tension with Yasmine.

Even though Yasmine was sitting there with them, who could really say where her thoughts were?

The misunderstanding that had started over a jar of flowers seemed resolved, and they were interacting like before. But was there real forgiveness from Yasmine? Not likely.

There they were, sitting across from each other, yet it felt like miles between them. Serana was curious – could Yasmine ever truly like someone?

What would she be like? What lengths would she go to? She’d love to see that.

But who would be the one to break through?

Yasmine’s phone rang, but she ignored it, standing up instead. “You guys carry on. I’ve got something else to attend to. I’ll head out first.”

She answered the phone as she pulled out her chair.

Boyd stood, reaching to catch Yasmine’s wrist. Phone to her ear, Yasmine looked at him. “Something else?”

Boyd stared for a moment. “Where are you off to?”

“Home.”

Derek’s figure appeared beside them. He eyed the hand Boyd had on Yasmine. “You want something?”

Boyd’s grip tightened unintentionally.

Yasmine pulled her hand back, phone down. “Should be clear now.”

—

Serana watched through the glass as Yasmine’s car pulled away, and only then did she breathe a sigh of relief. “She’s still the same.”

Boyd didn’t respond.

car, Yasmine’s expression remained

glanced her way more times than

glasses?”

nothing to say? No contact for two months and suddenly you’re sharing desserts and coffee?

finger across her phone’s screen,

twitch was barely perceptible. “All

level, “Am I that

“Then what’s your reason?”

“Just feeling annoyed.”

a classic Yasmine response. “Those were just kid’s squabbles from when we were ten. Holding onto that, or keeping score with

you want me to jump

gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Can’t do

Boyd. She didn’t care, but he wouldn’t allow distance. His watchful eyes seemed to follow her more closely than ever. Any guy

everyone got the impression that they were an item.

relationship

ignoring Serana sitting across from her, Yasmine addressed

blinked, turning to the ever-composed Boyd, and silently shoveled food

“You’re a bit slow on

paused. “When did

Silence.

More silence.

overthink it.” She wasn’t about to

her mouth to speak,

stared into his eyes for two seconds. Almost as he stood up, she abruptly stood up as well. “Feeling queasy

Boyd’s expression darkened.

toward the exit. They stopped

silence stretched between them until Boyd inhaled deeply and spoke, “Were you trying to

frowned. “Escape? Why would

know what

getting a ‘friend’ like Serana nearly did me in. Now, out of nowhere, I get a ‘boyfriend’ and a love rival? Boyd, are you trying to say I’ve

“Who’s your love rival?”

exhaled, “Alright, so

and

held up a hand. “Your thing with her is none of my business. As for the

Boyd’s voice cut through the air,

on her with a penetrating intensity, “You sure you’re not just playing dumb with

out a laugh. “Me, playing dumb? What’s up? Are we, like, actually dating or something? How come I, the person involved, am the last to know? Have you been openly courting me, or

eyes never leaving hers, “So, all of that has to happen

brief furrow in Yasmine’s brow as she spoke after a moment of silence, “When I first heard the rumor, I found it

“Why?” he pressed.

the past misunderstandings between us. After all, if it weren’t for your insistence on linking our childhoods together, I would’ve probably stayed completely cut off from you. I think I’ve been pretty generous by

knitted together, clearly displeased

me as a way to make amends, and don’t confuse those childhood bonds and the so-called love from us spending a few years together as

was disarming,

However, the look in Boyd’s