Page 102 of Billion Dollar Mistake

Chapter 25

Nova

It’s five to six and we’re sitting inside her car outside the address Jeremy gave me.

“Are you ready?” Chelsea asks.

I rub my hands on my jeans. “No. I’m terrified.”

My stomach is twisting and turning the closer I come to meeting his family. Everyone who is important to him is here.

But giving up, or hiding in the car, is not going to help me. I exit the car, put my bag on my shoulder, and grip my hands together.

“Where's the present?” Chelsea asks.

“Oh.” I step back and open the passenger door again. The gift is sitting on the floor.

“How did I miss that?” I mutter to myself.

“I’ve never seen you like this.”

I flick my gaze to her. “I’ve never felt like this.”

Chelsea comes to stand beside me. She rubs my arms up and down. “I’ve got you.”

“Thanks. I’m sure I’ll be fine as soon as I’ve said hello.”

I nod. “Stop worrying if they are going to like you. There’s a man in there I cannot wait to meet. I know he cares for you, and you care for him so if they have a problem with you, then they will have a problem with me.”

My heart explodes at her protectiveness. She’s like the sister I never had. “You’re seriously the best, Chels. Thank you.”

We hug.

I exhale a big breath and turn to face the front door.

“Let’s get this show on the road.”

Speaking of. “What time are you meeting up with Bobby?”

“At seven. If that's okay. I still feel bad for leaving. You know Bobby,” she adds, nibbling her lip.

I do and he's a douchebag. I want to tell her for the hundredth time. But I know in time his true colors will come out and she will see what we all see in him. There’s someone more deserving of her out there than him.

“No, thanks for coming. I told Summer not to cancel her plans because I’ll have him come for dinner next week and meet you both properly.”

“Good idea.” Her eyes move to the door then her watch and back to me. “Well, let's head inside, it’s six on the dot now.”

I nod and walk to press the bell, giving Chelsea another last-minute panicked look.

The door opens and I instantly feel better.

Jeremy’s standing there looking tall, powerful, and sexy. I melt when he flashes me a smile that reaches his eyes and shows off those lines along his cheeks up to his brow.

I didn’t expect him to answer the door but now that he has, I’m so damn grateful. My gaze drops to take him in—black jeans that hug his frame, black linen shirt rolled up to the elbows revealing dark hair that sends my pulse racing. He stands there, effortlessly gorgeous, a silent invitation in the doorway.

“Hi,” he says in a smooth, low voice, his eyes holding a magnetic pull that draws me closer.

“Happy birthday,” I say, closing the distance between us with a new-found eagerness. My lips touch his, and I wrap my arms around his neck, feeling the warmth of his hands on my lower back as he pulls me closer. Our eyes lock, and in this moment, I finally feel grounded.

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