Page 87 of The Beat Match

She didn’t budge.

With what he had planned for today, better to smooth this over before he dug himself deeper. “I bought Felix from a pet store and lied about his separation anxiety so you’d quit chasing me at my shows.”

She leaned closer to him and cupped her ear. “You’ll have to speak up, Herbert. It sounded like you said you lied about Felix to ditch me.”

He fought his rising laugh. “I was blinded by your beauty and distracted at my shows and didn’t know what else to do. But think about how great it worked out. We have an adorable pet rabbit.”

“Because your need for control is so preposterous you’re willing to exploit a perfectly innocent animal.”

“It was self-preservation. You were relentless.”

“That didn’t sound like an apology.”

“Sorry?”

She rolled her eyes. “No, you’re not. You’re a control freak who always has to have his way.” She pushed to her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “But I kind of love your evil-mastermindedness, future husband.”

Hopefully she’d love today’s surprise even more.

He took her hand in his and planted a kiss on the engagement ring he’d given her last week. Proposing had been as emotional and terrifying and perfect as he’d hoped. He’d done it right in front of the Office of the City Clerk, had dragged her up to fill out the marriage license right away. She’d cried and laughed, the two of them kissing and smiling through it all. “This is proof,” he’d told her. “My promise to you there will be no freaking out before the ceremony.”

She’d loved the gesture, had prattled on about how they’d get properly married next year, during the summer. She hadn’t clued into the stunt’s ulterior motive.

“Enough about your rabbit games.” She bounced on her toes, a thousand-watt grin lighting her face. “Have I told you this trip will be my first flight and that Ibiza is my number one bucket-list destination out of my list of two hundred and twenty-four?”

“A few times.” About two hundred and twenty-four.

She skipped over to her bag, grabbed the handle, and rolled her shoulders back. “I am, as of now, a jet-setter. A stylish woman of the world, about to embark on the vacation of a lifetime.”

“With the man of her dreams.”

She tossed him a wink. “We should pretend to meet in the hotel lobby. You can pick me up. I’ll take off the engagement ring.”

He grabbed her bag and planted a hungry kiss on those adorable lips. “Not a chance. Every man there’s going to know you’re mine.”

She tossed her arms around his neck, kissed him while smiling. “All yours. And you’re mine. Which means I actually have to get my butt in gear and start planning our wedding.”

Her joy dipped slightly, a hint of stress in her creased brows. All signs that today’s plan wouldn’t backfire on him. It better not, at least.

Annie was the first thing he thought about in the morning, at lunch, while walking down the street, when seeing vintage clothing stores or passing a craft shop. He refused to sleep without her, splitting their time between his place and hers. He bought her gifts incessantly, loved toying with her long blond hair while they watched a movie. He couldn’t look away from her when she found a new song for their set list, her skin glowing with excitement. She was his best friend. She was the reason Aldrich Pharma had announced their merger with Biotrell and a large part of why he still worked for his family company. She’d even begun to win over his father.

Today better go off without a hitch.

He carried her luggage to the waiting car and slid into the backseat with her.

She linked their fingers and turned to him, her hazel eyes, more green than brown today, brimming with affection. “Have I thanked you for planning this trip?”

He kissed her nose. “You have, but don’t hold back. Thank me again.”

“Thank you, again. I don’t have patience for planning. I mean, I will for the wedding,” she said quickly. “But I know how crazy busy you are. I hope taking the time off work isn’t killing you.”

“Not when this is a partial business trip.” DJ business was also business. His father had grudgingly agreed to ignore Weston’s moonlighting. With the merger solidified, shareholders couldn’t argue against his capabilities. And when Ushuaia called asking Falcon to play their massive open-air club, he couldn’t refuse. Especially since a trip to Ibiza lined up perfectly with today’s plans. “Besides, exploring that exotic island is no hardship.”

She fiddled with his fingers while tucked into his side, tracing the length of each digit. He watched her intently, bounced his heel, waiting for her to clue into their driver’s direction.

Eventually, she squinted through the window. “He’s going the wrong way. Why is he going the wrong way?”

Weston tugged her closer, worried she might open the door and bail out. “I have no idea.”