FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS (Ophelia Corrigan) novel Chapter 141

CHAPTER 141

AMIE

The drive to Whitmore House was too short for how many times I looked at Simon’s hand on my thigh.

He drove with an almost irritating calm, one hand on the wheel and the other resting on me, like New York traffic, the company’s schedule, and the entire world could wait while he took me to see the place where we’d get married.

My gaze dropped to the ring on my finger.

Ten weeks.

It still felt absurd that in a little over two months, I’d be standing in front of him in a wedding dress. Even more absurd was the fact that when Simon proposed, I hadn’t thought about running.

Quite the opposite. I was looking forward to that day, but in a good way.

“You’re quiet,” he said, eyes still on the road.

“I’m thinking.”

“That’s usually dangerous.”

I turned to face him. Simon looked impeccable in a dark suit, his tie loosened just right, that charmingly carefree air about him.

“I was actually thinking that I’m loving this moment,” I admitted. “I keep imagining what our ceremony

will be like.”

“I’m looking forward to it too, babe. Mostly the honeymoon in the Maldives.”

I blinked, surprised.

“Wait. The Maldives?”

“You’re picking the venue. I figured it was only fair to leave the honeymoon destination up to me.”

I broke into a smile.

“It’s going to be amazing. I love the idea.”

His hand squeezed my thigh gently, and the smile he gave me made it clear he was already picturing the trip too.

I smiled out the window, trying to hide how much I loved that alpha side of him.

Whitmore House appeared after a curve, tucked behind tall trees and an wrought-iron gate.

The historic light-stone house was just as imposing as I remembered, with its tall windows, wide veranda, and manicured gardens. But this time, seeing it next to Simon made everything feel even more special.

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He parked near the entrance and got out first. He walked around the car and opened my door before I could reach the handle.

“Thank you,” I murmured, taking the hand he offered.

When I stepped out, Simon didn’t let go of my fingers right away. He ran his thumb over the ring, his eyes locked on my face.

“Nervous?”

“No. I mean, a little. But I liked it here the first time. I just wanted you to see the place.”

“Then let’s see if it deserves my bride’s enthusiasm.”

I smiled, and he leaned in to kiss my forehead.

“If you don’t like it, we can look somewhere else,” I said.

“Jamie, I came to see the place you chose. Not to find a reason to change my mind.”

The answer warmed me from the inside out. Simon had enough money to book any property he wanted, but he wasn’t trying to turn the wedding into his decision.

He wanted to see what I’d seen in it. And I’ll admit, that pleased me more than I could say.

The front door opened before we reached the steps. Margareth appeared in the entrance, elegant as I remembered, a tablet in her hands. Her face lit up when she recognized me.

“Miss Jamie. So good to see you again.”

“It’s good to be back.”

Her gaze shifted to Simon and then to our joined hands. She noticed the ring on my finger too.

“I see you brought your fiancé this time.”

“Simon, this is Margareth. She helped me when I visited the house.”

“Simon Hart,” Margareth said, smiling. “I believe I’ve seen you a few times in the society pages.”

“I hope they only published the more interesting stories,” he replied.

“They’ve been quite generous with you. But it’s a pleasure to meet you in person.”

“Thank you for having us,” Simon said.

His hand settled on my lower back as we walked up the steps.

“I’ve prepared some options for the ceremony and the reception,” Margareth explained. “But since Miss Jamie already knows the house, we can go straight to whatever you’d like to see.”

“I want to show him the garden,” I said. “That was my favorite part.”

Simon looked at me, and the quiet smile that crossed his face made it clear he was happy I was excited.

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Margareth led us through the hall, where light poured through the stained glass and spilled across the wood floor. Then we crossed the main salon and headed to the glass doors that opened onto the lawn.

Simon stopped the moment we stepped outside.

The garden stretched out in front of us, with gravel paths, flower beds, and old trees surrounding the property. In the back, the veranda offered a wide view of the house.

“You were right,” he said.

“About what?”

“This place is perfect for a wedding.”

I turned to him, trying not to smile too hard.

“You really like it?”

“I do. It’s elegant without feeling impersonal. And there’s room for everyone.” He tilted his chin toward the veranda. “Your grandmother could sit there, in the shade, if she wanted to rest during the reception.”

My chest tightened. He’d thought about her.

“And Lily would love running around the garden,” he added.

“She’d end up running all over the place.”

We smiled at each other, and he pulled me in by the waist, bringing me close.

“I knew you’d like it here,” I said.

“And you were right to want to show me.” His gaze lingered on my face. “I can picture the day you’ll say ‘I do’ to me in this place.”

Those words made my smile falter for a second.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“I am. I’m just trying to believe this is really happening.”

“It is. And we’re going to be very happy married, Mrs. Hart.”

Margareth showed us the main salon, the smaller room that could work for dinner, and more details about the gardens. Simon asked about timing, accessibility, and reception setup. I watched him as he talked to her.

He listened to the answers carefully and asked pointed questions. His confidence showed in every movement, but it never turned into arrogance with Margareth.

“The suite is in that wing,” Margareth explained, gesturing down the hall. “There’s a restroom near the salon and another one upstairs.”

“Can I use the restroom?” I asked.

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