The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 103

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103 My Answer and Your Dessert

103 My Answer and Your Dessert

Hazel’s POV 1

“Cancel my meeting next Friday.” Liam’s deep voice came through my phone, making me smile as I lounged on my couch in yoga pants and an oversized t-shirt.

“Are you giving me orders outside the office now?” I teased, twirling a strand of hair around my finger.

“Just making a request to my beautiful girlfriend. I want to take you somewhere special.”

I sighed dramatically. “Can’t. It’s girls’ night with Chloe and the others.”

His groan made me laugh. “Your battalion of friends is stealing you away again?”

“Battalion? They’re not an army, Liam.”

“Could’ve fooled me. They’re more protective than my security team.” His voice softened. “I miss you.”

“You saw me this morning,” I reminded him, but my heart fluttered anyway.

“Too long ago. What about Saturday?”

“All yours,” I promised. “By the way, Levi mentioned you invited him and his friends for poker night tomorrow.”

There was a telling pause before Liam answered. “Pure coincidence.”

“Mmhmm. Nothing to do with keeping my brother’s single friends away from girls’ night?”

His chuckle rumbled through the phone. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“You’re impossible,” I said, smiling wider.

“That’s why you love me.”

My breath caught. We hadn’t said those words yet, though I felt them growing stronger each day.

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103 My Answer and Your Dessert

“Good night, Liam,” I said softly.

“Sweet dreams, Hazel.”

***

The mall buzzed with weekend shoppers as Chloe, Scarlett, Evelyn, and I sat in the food court surrounding Maya, our newest friend.

“Project Maya begins now,” Chloe announced, pulling out her iPad. “Operation Transformation is a go.”

Maya looked overwhelmed. “This is too much. I can’t let you guys do all this.”

“Nonsense,” Evelyn said, patting Maya’s hand. “When I joined this group, they did the

same for me.”

I nodded. “It’s tradition. Besides, we all need retail therapy.”

Chloe tapped her screen. “I’ve scheduled appointments at my salon, dental consultations, and a session with my personal shopper. Today we’re just gathering intelligence.”

“And having fun,” Scarlett added, sipping her smoothie.

Maya’s eyes filled with tears. “I don’t deserve friends like you.”

“Yes, you do,” I insisted, remembering how these women had supported me through my darkest days. “Everyone deserves a battalion.”

We spent hours going from store to store, holding clothes up to Maya’s slim frame, debating colors and styles. By late afternoon, we had bags of makeup samples and a comprehensive plan for Maya’s transformation.

“I’ve never spent so much time shopping in my life,” Maya admitted as we rested our aching feet.

“Get used to it,” Chloe warned with a grin. “This is just the beginning.”

My phone buzzed with a text from Liam: *Having fun with the battalion?*

I quickly replied: *Stop calling them that!*

His

response made me laugh out loud: *Too late. It’s their official codename now.*

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< 103 My Answer and Your Dessert

“Liam?” Evelyn guessed, watching my face.

I nodded, feeling a blush creep into my cheeks.

“You two are sickeningly cute,” Scarlett groaned. “I need whatever you’re having.”

“It’s called finding your soulmate,” Chloe said, making me blush harder.

***

The next morning, Leo and I were making pancakes when my phone rang.

UV

“Did you know?” I demanded when I answered Liam’s call.

“Know what?” His innocent tone didn’t fool me.

“That you and Damian invited Levi and his friends to poker night specifically when we had girls’ night.”

Liam’s laugh confirmed my suspicions. “Purely strategic planning.”

“You’re jealous of my brother’s friends?”

“Not jealous. Cautious. Have you seen how they look at you?”

I rolled my eyes even though he couldn’t see me. “They’re Levi’s friends. They’ve known me since I was a kid.”

“Exactly why I don’t trust them. They’ve seen you grow into the stunning woman you

are now.”

“You’re ridiculous,” I said, but warmth spread through my chest at his protectiveness.

“I’m strategic,” he corrected. “How’s Leo doing?”

The change of subject made me smile as I watched my son carefully pouring syrup on his breakfast.

“Making a sticky mess. He misses you.”

“Just him?” Liam teased.

“Maybe his mom a little too,” I admitted. “Friday at seven? I’ll meet you at the

restaurant.”

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“I’ll be counting down the minutes.”

***

The week flew by in a blur of work, playdates, and endless text messages from Liam. By Friday evening, I was bubbling with anticipation as I slipped into a sleek black dress that hugged my curves.

Chloe had taken Leo for the night, giving me a wink as she left with my excited son in

tow.

The restaurant Liam had chosen was elegant without being stuffy, with soft lighting and intimate tables. He stood when he saw me approach, his violet-blue eyes darkening as they took in my appearance.

“You look breathtaking,” he said, kissing my cheek.

The waiter brought champagne as soon as we were seated.

“What are we celebrating?” I asked, picking up my glass.

Liam’s intense gaze held mine. “Hopefully your answer.”

My heart raced. “To what question?”

“Whether you’ll come back to work with me.” He reached across the table, taking my hand. “I miss seeing you at the office.”

I’d been considering his offer all week. Working together had been complicated before, but everything was different now.

“What about conflict of interest? Dating the boss isn’t exactly professional.”

“Technically, you’d report to Damian. On paper, anyway.” His thumb traced circles on my palm, sending shivers up my arm. “I promise to behave in the office.”

“Like you did before?” I arched an eyebrow.

He had the decency to look sheepish. “I was fighting my attraction to you. Badly.”

Our food arrived, temporarily pausing our conversation. As we ate, Liam told me about his plans for expanding the company’s charitable foundation.

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