Page 33 of Fake Fiancé for the Billionaire Rockstar

Estelle chuckles. “We’ll have plenty of time to catch up. I should probably get in with Layla anyway to see how she's fairing on the road now that the snow is getting more dangerous.”

I don’t know Layla, but I’m worried about her being on the road in this downfall. I’m sure the conditions aren’t as terrible on the main roads as they are here. That doesn’t stop the worry from becoming present.

We say our goodbyes, then head down the driveway as carefully as possible toward Walker’s large cabin. It’s fitting that they would get the biggest one out of everyone here, considering their family size, but it still seems a littletoobig compared to the others.

Carmen scoffs next to me, noticing my attention on the large cabin, and shakes her head. I resist the urge to pull her closer, to shield her from whatever bad memories this place brings up. Instead, I place a hand on her lower back, a silent show of support.

“That’s Jessa for ya,” she mutters. “She can’t stand looking as though they aren’t loaded with money, always has to have the best of the best.”

I arch a brow. “I’m sensing bad blood here.”

She narrows her eyes at me. “If you had been paying attention to my rambling the other day, you’d know that we don’t always see eye to eye.”

I hum in response, then go quiet as we make our way up the front steps. Before Carmen can lift her hand to open the door, the woman in question opens the door with a smile that immediately drops at the sight of her sister-in-law.

“Carmen,” Jessa says in an overly sweet way as she glances at me with an arched brow. “Ah, is this the infamous fiancé I’ve heard Walker talking about all day?”

“Donny,” I say, though I don’t hold my hand out because something tells me she wouldn’t take it, anyway. “You must be Jessa?”

She trails her gaze over my frame, not bothering to hide the way she’s checking me out, and that only makes me dislike her more. What kind of wife looks at a guest like that when her husband is just in the other room?

I’m about to step between Carmen and Jessa, the tension palpable, when one of the kids rushes past the door and catchessight of us. eyes brightening at the guests, and that forces Jessa’s attention away from me.

For a moment she looks angry, like she’s going to reprimand Jaxson for interrupting the moment, but she masks the emotion as quickly as it comes.

I can understand why Carmen dislikes her now.

“Auntie Carmen, dad said you would be here. Are we having hot chocolate?”

Jessa’s flash with anger and she glares at Carmen. “Chocolate is fattening. What makes you think they’re allowed to have any?”

Carmen smiles at Jessa and tugs Jaxson to her side. “Walker said it would be fine.”

“Great,” Jessa mumbles, then struts away from us and into one of the larger rooms.

I smirk at Jaxson and lean down. “How about a Christmas movie while we drink it? You can never go wrong with Home Alone.”

Jaxson shrugs. “Sounds cool to me, but I’m sure Arabella and Sadie will be sad that we aren’t watching The Grinch.”

“They’ll live. We watch it every year,” Carmen says with a chuckle and Jaxson still glued to her side. “It’s about time to change things up.”

After we’ve kicked our shoes off and left them at the door, Carmen leads us into the kitchen where Walker is sitting on an island with a glass of whiskey sitting in front of him. Carmen eyes the glass curiously, then clears her throat.

“The party has arrived, big bro.”

Walker snaps his attention up to us, still giving me that disapproving frown, but I ignore it and follow Carmen’s movements throughout the kitchen. I look over my shoulder at him and arch a brow. “You drinking some hot cocoa?”

He shrugs. “Why not? Mind slipping something a little extra in mine. I’m going to need it.”

That seems to catch Carmen’s attention, but she only pauses for a brief moment before grabbing as many mugs as we’ll need for the group. Judging by Jessa’s comment, I’m going to assume that she won’t be joining in on the fun.

Her loss.

It takes about ten minutes for us to get all the hot chocolate made and onto a tray found in one of the cabinets, then we’re all heading into the living room where the rest of the group is located. Sadie and Arabella look up at me with bright smiles, then excitedly pat the empty spot between them. I glance at Carmen, who’s giggling with a hand over her mouth, then she waves a hand toward her nieces with a wink.

Watching her laugh with Sadie and Arabella, I realize there’s so much of her I still don’t know. I’ve only ever seen the manager—sharp, composed, and always ten steps ahead. But here, she’s softer. Unarmored. And damn if it doesn’t make me want to know her even more.

As soon as I take my seat between the girls, they eagerly move closer to me and nestle themselves against my sides. I glance down at them, a smile on my face, and lean back into the couch with a chuckle when they follow my every movement.

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