Greenie
When my 520th flight touches down, I find my girlfriend—someone who has never once picked me up from the airport—waiting for me there in the terminal.
Lindsay Shire is holding a bouquet of air-freighted roses and a velvet box with a diamond ring sparkling inside. The moment she drops to one knee, a collective, stunned gasp ripples through the crowd.
We've been together for ten years, and this is the first time she's ever indicated that she wants to marry me.
Pretending to keep my composure, I slip the ring onto my finger.
My voice trembles as I say, "Lindsay, we—"
But she suddenly laughs and glances to the side, one eyebrow arched smugly.
"I told you he'd say yes. I won the bet. Hand over the painting."
I freeze as a wave of cruel laughter erupts behind me.
A whole crowd of wealthy socialites and trust-fund babies saunters over, led by none other than Trent Morasca—Lindsay's former fiance. He's laughing so hard that he's nearly in tears.
"I was wondering why you kept him around for so long," Trent jeers. "If I had a lapdog this obedient, I wouldn't have the heart to kick him to the curb, either."
Then he turns to me. "I heard you grew a backbone this time after your fight and actually moved out of Amber Estate. But the minute Lindsay crooks her finger, you come running back?"
One of the rich heirs thrusts his camera into my face. "Guys, look at him! He actually fell for it! He's so moved he's actually got tears in his eyes!"
"Lindsay, I think he's going to latch onto you now and demand you take responsibility!" he adds, before breaking into loud laughter.
Lindsay shoots them a sideways glance, and the crowd instantly falls silent.
For once, she actually bothers to explain.
"It's Grandpa's 80th birthday, and I couldn't find a suitable gift in time.
"Trent just won the 'Misty Peaks' painting at an auction last week, and you know how much Grandpa loves stuff like that. So, we made a bet.
"As long as you accept my proposal, the painting would be mine."