The Engagement Game (Engaged to a Billionaire) by A. Gardner Page A

how Jack would never do that to me so I should agree to go out with him.
    "Huh."   That's his response?   Huh?
    "That's all you've got to say?"
    "Things happen," he continues.   "You can't help that."   I suddenly realize my jaw is hanging wide open.   I shift my focus back to Earl.
    My phone buzzes in my pocket.   With wide eyes I check the screen, expecting to see Holly's name.   I'd been trying to prepare for this moment but the right thing to say never came to me.   My heart leaps when I see Rex's name.
    "I got to take this," I mention, stepping outside faster than Sadie could send out a bulk text invitation.   My palms are sweaty as I hold the phone to my ear.   "Hello?"
    "Kat, I'm glad I caught you."   The sound of his voice makes me forget he'd stood me up just hours ago.   Okay . . . I didn't forget.   But he was calling me during office hours which meant he really did feel bad about it.   And had a horrible time playing doubles with Holly?   "About last night.   I'm so sorry."
    "You have a lot of making up to do," I reply.   "What kept you?"   The wheels in my head start spinning, wondering if he was going to lie to me.
    "I'll tell you all about it tonight."
    "What's tonight?"   I adjust a strand of hair hanging from my ponytail.
    "I'm making it up to you," he slyly replies.   "Charles will collect you at eight."
    "I'll be ready."   I hold back a squeal.   Now I knew how Leah must have felt when she saw that guy from True Blood at Union Square.
    "I look forward to it," he says before he hangs up.   I walk back into Earl's room with a gigantic smile on my face.
    "What?"   Jack notices my expression has changed.
    "That was him."   I refrain from blurting out hundreds of things at once.   "He's going to make it up to me."
    "See," Jack nods.   "You'll get to see him this week after all."   His compliance confuses me, but I go with it.   It was nice to have another person on my side.   Earl starts to stir.   He sits up, wiping the saliva from his lips.   An instant smile crosses his face when he sees me.
    "What did I miss?" he inquires.
    "Kat has a date," Jack answers, speaking a little louder.   Earl rubs his thinning hair, looking down at the IV in his arm.   It bothered him to be hooked up to "computers and nonsense".
    "With who?"   His voice is raspy but blunt.
    "Not me Pops."
    Earl looks at me as I check his drip.   "Congratulations," he says with a spritely bounce.   "I'm very happy for you."   I smile.
    "Well that's kind of rude," Jack adds.
    "It's not," Earl argues.   He turns to his son.   "She deserves someone who knows which end of the razor is sharp."   I quietly laugh as Jack and I briefly make eye contact.   His eyes were always brighter when Earl was criticizing him.
    "Here we go with the shaving thing again," Jack mutters.   "I told you Pop, I like the scruff.   I'm keeping the scruff."   He runs a hand over his chin.
    "It makes you look like a homeless person."   Earl throws his hand up in the air like it's hopeless.
    "Okay you two," I interrupt.   "I'm out.   I've got a date to prepare for."
     
    *          *           *
     
    Rex's apartment was . . . I could hardly call it an apartment.   It was more like a palace.   It had a foyer that went on for miles, a chandelier made of real diamonds, marble floors that looked like they were hand polished daily.   I stand in awe at bay windows overlooking the ocean.   I can almost hear the rolling waves and smell the salt water.   Charles takes my coat.   I smoothe my fitted maxi dress just as Rex comes around the corner with a grin on his face.   My heart pounds and I hope the evening starts with a hello kiss.
    Rex's collar is unbuttoned.   Underneath, I can see the top of his chest.   I wobble a bit in my stilettos.   I couldn't lose the ability to stand until Rex's arms were around me.   Then it didn't matter.
    "Hi," I quietly greet him.
    "Hi."   His eyes take in my entire figure.