Page 36 of Baby for My Billionaire Rival

Jake wasn’t tired of me. He wanted more.

“I’m not giving you the satisfaction of being right,” I say to Jude with a sniff.

Jude laughs. “You’re so full of it, Caroline.”

In my velvet clutch, my phone starts to buzz. I open the clutch with the intent to shut off the buzzing, but when I see the name on the screen, blood drains from my face. Or maybe it rushes to my cheeks. I can’t tell. All I know isJakeis calling me.

“Oh my God, it’s him,” Jude squeals.

“Shhhh! Can’t you be quiet?” I say, glancing around to see if any of the family is looking in our direction.

“Answer it, answer it. I’ll cover for you.”

I don’t need to be told twice. Jake is calling me onChristmas Evefor heaven’s sake. I rush out into the front hall, whipping the phone up to my ear. “Hello?”

“Hey, sorry, I know I’m probably interrupting,” Jake says.

Warmth blooms through my chest.Oh God, I’ve missed him…“It’s okay. What’s up?”

“Well, first of all, Merry Christmas.” The nervousness is apparent in his voice.

“Merry Christmas to you too,” I say, a smile perking onto my lips.

Jake hesitates for a moment before the words come gushing out. “I sent you something. And I got a notification it arrived. But I hadn’t heard anything from you and I want to make sure you got it.”

“You… sent me a gift?”

“I hope that’s alright.” His polite country accent sends shivers down my spine.

“Of course. I mean... I didn’t get you anything, though.”

Jake chuckles. “That’s just fine, I didn’t expect anything.”

I stand frozen in the front hall for a moment. “I… I’ll go check now.” I rush to the front door and throw it open. Sure enough,on the front step of Gram’s veranda is an orange box tied with a brown bow. “It’s here,” I say as I go to pick it up.

“Oh good, well, I just wanted to make sure and – well, I hope you like it.”

“Wait a second and I’ll open it,” I try to say, but Jake continues to ramble.

“Anyway, again, sorry to bother you and Merry Christmas, Caroline.”

I can’t even utter a “Merry Christmas” in return before Jake hangs up. With the small package in one hand and my phone in the other, I don’t know how to make sense out of what has just happened. I sink down to sit on the top step, not bothered by the chill in the air. Gingerly, I untie the ribbon and then lift the lid of the box.

On the top, there is a small envelope. I open it to find Jake’s scraggly handwriting. It makes me smile.

We promised not to be assholes to each other until Christmas. So here’s my last attempt at not being an asshole. Merry Christmas, Caroline Patricia Gladstone.

Jacob Leslie Simmons III (Tripp)

P.S. Please don’t make fun of the Leslie part.

Tears well in my eyes. How can a note that uses the word “asshole” twice pull at my heartstrings like this? The note is so lovely, I nearly forget that there’s a gift under the tissue paper. I unfold it quickly and find inside the most delicate silk scarf I’ve ever felt. I didn’t even recognize the box as Hermes at first, totally stunned to be receiving a gift in the first place.

Jake knows his stuff. Or maybe he knowsmystuff. Either way, I’m in shock.

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