Page 81 of The Billionaire's Wife

“And the time I came up to see what was taking so long and you were sitting on the floor in your underwear reading a book, having completely forgotten you started the shower. Remember that?” Dad slapped his knee as he began to guffaw.

I scrubbed a hand over my face. “When are you two leaving again?”

Faith chuckled. “They need to stay. I’m reasonably certain I wouldn’t get any of these stories out of you.”

“For good reason. There is zero need for you to know about that.” Less than zero. I could remember it perfectly well, if I wanted to. And I did not.

“I don’t know. It’s good to realize you weren’t always perfect. Sometimes I wonder.” Faith stood and crossed to me. She took my hand and gave it a squeeze. “You know all my embarrassing stories. This feels fair.”

I sighed. Maybe she had a point. But I didn’t have to like it.

I plowed through three pieces of French toast while Mom, Dad, and Faith told stories and joked around. Usually at my expense. I tried to grin and roll with it, but I was starting to worry that Faith was going to realize she could do a lot better than me.

Finally, when the dishes were cleared and the dishwasher loaded, Mom and Dad went back to their room to get ready for the day. I took a minute to line up a driver for them, then gathered my things.

“I should probably head to work. You’re okay with them without me?” I held Faith’s gaze.

“I am. They’re great. I’d forgotten just how much I used to envy you your parents.” She took my hand. “You’ll let me know if anything happens, right?”

“Absolutely.” I leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to her forehead. “Have a good one.”

I wasn’t positive, but I thought I saw a flash of disappointment in Faith’s expression. That was good, wasn’t it? I knew I needed to wait until she was on the same page with me when it came to being physical. The problem, of course, was how to tell.

Maybe she’d end up telling me herself.

22

FAITH

“Ireally think I should just go home.” I edged toward the bookstore door. “I don’t want to intrude.”

Megan propped her hands on her hips and glowered at me. “Does it sound like you’ll be intruding?”

“Well—”

“No. Exactly. In fact, you’ve been invited multiple times by multiple people. So shut it, get away from the door, and tell me if you want Italian or Tacos.”

I hunched my shoulders. “You’re mean.”

“Can be.” Megan pointed to the couches. “Only when my friends are being stupid.”

I held my hands up and gave in. “Fine.”

“Good.” Megan checked the time on her phone. “The rest of the girls should be here any minute. We can order as soon as they get here and as soon as you decide what it is we’re ordering.”

“Italian.”

“Good choice.” Megan flashed a grin.

“You really have girls’ night every Friday in your bookstore? That doesn’t…I don’t know, scare away customers?” I flopped onto the end of one couch and dug my phone out of my pocket.

“It hasn’t so far. In fact, sometimes I think we get more traffic on Friday nights because we’ve got people sitting here having fun. And it’s visible from the window. Of course tonight, you’re all going to be helping me decorate for Halloween. I’m a little behind in getting all the spooky decor out.”

My eyebrows lifted. “I didn’t realize we decorated for Halloween.”

Megan pointed to various spots in the store where we’d been setting up seasonal book highlights. “Why wouldn’t we? We have book themes. There should be decorations. Plus the kiddos come trick or treating down the shops and I like for them to have some ambience.”

Okay. That made sense. “It’s just the tenth. You’re really behind?”

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