Page 8 of Faking It with my Billionaire Grump

Once we’re back in the living room, she asks me how things are. Unlike my mother, Mel likes to do far less talking and much more listening. She’s a great friend; she always has been. Of course, we end up talking about my latest problem.

He’s five foot nine with blonde hair. He’s the CEO of his company and a pretty savvy businessman. He also happens to be my ex-boyfriend.

Bryan Reading was, once upon a time, my dream guy. In fact, I pursued him—can you believe it? But these last six months, our entire lives have been nothing but constant arguments and cold shoulders.

We were together for three years, and he was what I thought I wanted. That was until I realized that he doesn’t like a woman who progresses. I’ve already been promoted twice since we’ve been together, and that threatens him. Not that he’ll admit that, of course. But it’s the bottom line. A line that’s been indented into our relationship with red ink.

“I know you think I’m an idiot for coming back here,” I say after I’ve given her the general rundown. “But I just couldn’t stay. I mean, what was I supposed to do? It was his apartment.”

Which I now realize was likely another ploy for him to have even more control.

“I get it,” Mel says, twirling her finger in her dark blonde hair. “But I just think you’ve outgrown this place. If you’re staying, we’re going to look like hicks compared to what you’re used to.”

“Oh, come on.” I laugh. “I was born here, remember?”

“Yes, I do,” Mel replies. “But I also remember you getting out. Even if it was in a rather unorthodox fashion.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” I say, sinking into the soft cushions of her sofa. “I thought a massive fight with my high school sweetheart was a great finale to four years together.”

Mel lifts the corner of her mouth. “He’s still here.”

“Of course he is. Something I discovered in the grocery store when I literally bumped into him. With my cart.”

“Nooo.” Mel’s all wide eyes and trying not to laugh.

“It was not my finest moment,” I continue.

“What did he say? What did you say?” Mel gasps.

“Oh, some quippy remark about my driving, just the usual Jake. He hasn’t changed at all.”

Mel gives me a look that tells me I’m dead wrong.

I shouldn’t really care. I don’t want to know. I already have too much on my plate. And yet, I can’t help myself.

“Go on. Tell me I’m wrong. I know you’re dying to,” I say, half interested and half resigned to the fact that my best friend is going to tell me whether I want to know or not.

She tilts her head and gives me a curious look. “Have you never noticed anything different about the town?

“You mean since the last time I was here?”

“I mean ever,” Mel says.

I shrug. To be honest, I haven’t really paid the place much attention. Like the delightful Mrs. Windrow mentioned earlier, I’m usually only here for a day or two, and most of that time I spend with Mom and Dad. But clearly, Mel is pushing me to come to some conclusion.

“I’ve got nothing,” I say, not really sure what she’s looking for.

“Then maybe you need to take another drive around it and look. I mean, take a good look, Tilly.”

“Why?”

“Because Jake Coulter is not the country boy you left behind. He inherited his father’s ranch, which we all knew was coming, but you remember Cal? His older brother?”

I nod, now leaning forward with interest.

“When he left, he went and made a fortune in real estate. Thing is, he taught Jake everything he knew. Jake took to it like a duck to water, and”—she pauses for dramatic effect—“are you ready to hear this?”

“Just get on with it,” I blurt, desperate to hear the evident bombshell she’s going to drop.

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