“Even so, I’d like to apologize for any negative publicity I might have unintentionally created by my actions with an acquaintance.” The words drop with a heavy silence, and I can see a few people looking at me in shock. I get it. Apologies from me are about as rare as four-leaf clovers. But the reality is, this one is heartfelt.

“And while I can promise until I’m blue in the face about how things are going to improve, the fact is, my metrics are solid,” I continue in what is perhaps the understatement of the century. Even Dad can’t argue with that, and I’ll beat anyone to death with my numbers if they want to challenge me. “But this isn’t about metrics. It’s about leadership, respect, and image. That’s the reason I wanted you all to know right away about some changes in my life.”

“Ross—” Dad starts, half getting up, but Courtney appears in the doorway with Violet, who looks a little flustered. But she composes herself quickly when she sees the people in the room, her professional demeanor taking over.

I plan on shaking her from that. “This is Violet Russo,” I announce, going over and taking her hand. “I’ve known her since she was . . . well, just about as tall as the table you all are sitting around right now. And I’m going to be honest. I was pretty damn terrible to her a lot of the time. More than once, Violet told me she hated me when we were in high school.”

Violet blushes, nodding in agreement, but she smiles softly. “He deserved it.”

I smile back, basking in the glow surrounding her right now and helping to spread it throughout the room of nay-sayers. “Recently, Violet and I reconnected, and something was different. I think I was different, finally seeing the truth that had been right in front of me all along. And for some reason, Violet saw something in me too.” I press a soft kiss to her lips, right there in front of everyone, and then tuck her to my side, wrapping my arm around her shoulders as we face the board.

“I’ve asked Violet to marry me, and she’s accepted.”

There’s a beat of silence, and then another as the bomb ticks before detonating. As what I said sinks in, Violet holds up her hand, showing off her ring. That’s when it becomes reality and people start to react.

“Congratulations, Ross. Violet,” everyone echoes. There’s even a small golf-style smattering of applause in celebration of the news.

People get up from their chairs, coming over to shake my hand and introduce themselves to Violet. A couple of them even ooh and ahh over the ring.

I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this easy acceptance and support. It feels like a solid victory, especially as even Courtney looks a bit more convinced. That is until I look over at my dad, who’s sitting in his chair at the head of the table.

He looks like he could chew glass and spit lightning as he stands up. He knows that I’ve maneuvered him into a corner. I’ve gotten the support of my peers. The noise has garnered the attention of the assistants walking up and down the hallway, and they make the grapevine in the company work even faster than email, and if he refutes Violet and me now . . . he comes off looking like the world’s biggest bastard of a father.

“Thank you, Ross. But do you think you could give us a little more warning on the baby announcement?” he lamely jokes, still earning a few smiles. “Okay, then, I can’t think of a higher note to end this on, so we’ll end it here.”

Success.

When we get back to my office, Violet turns to me, her eyes sparkling for a whole new reason. “You could have told me!”

“I could have,” I admit, refusing to apologize, “but I wanted to hit you with the surprise. I figured it’d be a more authentic reaction.”

“Yeah, well, next time, you’re getting an authentic knee in the balls,” Violet whispers, her cheeks flushing again.

I grab her and spin her around, then growl into her ear. “Please, keep talking about my balls. I like it when you talk dirty, Vi.”

She huffs, acting put out, but I can see the front for what it is now, even as she steps away and says firmly, “If you’re done with the whole stage production, I’ve got to get back to the office. Archie is already whipping together some digital picture magic.”

“No rush,” I assure her, liking this sass. “You think it worked?”

“I think your father looked like he wished his last name was Lannister when he stood up,” Violet replies. “Courtney looked better, though.”

I nod. “Doesn’t really matter at this point if Dad’s happy or not,” I concede. “Everyone else bought it.”

Violet nods, but her face looks a little sad, or maybe wistful. She’s got thoughts she’s not sharing with me, and that worries me. Ironically, this fake engagement means we need to be even more open and honest with each other than a lot of real couples are.

“What’s on your mind?” I ask quietly, stepping closer to her. “You feeling bad for my dad?”

“No . . . it’s nothing,” she reassures me, but I know she’s not being completely honest. I think it’s with herself, though, so I let it go for now. “But I’m worried. You see, my family, they’re not . . . well . . .”

“What?”

Violet clears her throat. “They’re not into the big over the top stuff. Once you’re family and accepted, sure, they’ll rant and rave. But Papa, Nana . . . to outsiders, they’re wary. And the more showboating you do, the more they’re going to freeze on you. And somehow, I’ve got to introduce you to my family and explain how I’m already engaged after Colin dumped me. Oh, and they don’t even know that happened because I couldn’t bring myself to tell my mom that.”