Page 71 of Twins For My Bestie's Brother

The dramatic timing of her speaking and me googling, “Causes of dizziness” and seeing the words “symptoms of pregnancy” is like something out of a movie. I hate it.

Carina stops mid-champagne sip. Her big brown eyes somehow get even bigger. “Oh, my God,” she says, although it comes out more like “gloh my glohd” because of the champagne in her mouth. Then, she swipes my glass of champagne out of my hand. “You can’t drink this.” She shoots up from her stool. “I’m getting you a glass of water. And a . . . well, you know what.”

I’m thankful to be alone for a moment, even if the idea of Carina knowing the potential cause of my dizziness is close to the worst-case scenario. Jackson and I haven’t been careful, but we haven’t . . . not been careful. Fuck, could I really be? Am I late? I’ve been so caught up in everything, I don’t think I’ve been keeping track of my period.

I can’t tell yet if this is a disaster or a blessing. But I need to figure out how I feel. Fast.

Chapter 22

Jackson

I’m not able to enjoy the slopes as much as I’d like to, totally distracted by the thought of Lily back at the resort. I know she insisted I go skiing with Danforth, but that doesn’t mean I can just turn off my concerns. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Lily with so much as a cold, let alone inexplicable dizziness.

However, she was right to insist I spend time with him because after our final run, Danforth says, “I guess itistime we talk business.”

We head back inside to the coffee bar. I’d like to insist we go check on Lily, but I don’t want to make any more of a scene than I have. Danforth is an amenable guy, sure. However, anyone with money ends up with a bit of a short temper when it comes to business matters. And though my net worth is impressive to most of the world, it’s incomparable to Danforth’s.

I can do a coffee.

After all our outerwear is taken by some very excitable hotel employees, we settle in at the corner of a bar with a view of the mountains. Danforth orders us two Irish coffees withoutconsulting me. It’s only three in the afternoon. I suppose it’s five o’clock somewhere, but we’re on ski time. It’s similar to island time which means it’s never too early for a drink, especially after exerting so much energy on the slopes.

“I’ve been looking for the right partner for my next venture,” Danforth explains, swiping a finger through the whipped cream on his Irish coffee before taking his time licking it off. “I’ve been really interested in expanding outside of the hotel sphere. You know, hospitality offshoots.”

I nod, remaining silent. I’ve prepared myself to disappoint Danforth by coming up here. It has to be the exact right opportunity if I’m going to get wrapped up in anything new. I want to give all my attention to my relationships. To Lily, to Kayla, to . . . settling down. That’s going to take time and energy. I want to get it right.

“So, I’ve been dabbling in the travel sector. Not so much hospitality, but adventure. Expedition.”

Oh, shit. I didn’t expect something like this. “You mean like tours?”

“Yes, but not walking tours or cruises or any of that,” Danforth says with a grimace. “I’ve done all of that before. It’s all—there’s no soul in it.”

I smirk. “You’re looking for business opportunities withsoulnow?”

Danforth blushes. Actually. I’ve never seen this man blush. “I think . . . well, it’s cliché, but I feel alive again. Carina’s brought that out of me.”

I bite my tongue. Peter Pan syndrome is common among men like us. However, I like Danforth enough, and from the brief time I’ve spent with him and his new wife, it’s clear there is a very mutual love there. Even if it’s clear how much she likes his money. As long as she likes other things too.

“And this—allthis!” Danforth gestures at the overly luxe coffee bar, the mountains, the grandness of it all. “It’s wonderful. It’s given me freedom. And now I want to do something new. And I think you’re the guy to do it with me.”

I take a sip of my Irish coffee. It barely tastes like there’s alcohol in it. Dangerous.

“You know, big adventures. Scuba excursions and mountain climbing. Everest basecamp. Kilimanjaro.”

“My interest is piqued . . . ” That’s not a lie.

“I knew it would be what with all your physical prowess. You know, I remember when I met you, and you were just building your fortune . . . always onto the next adventure. You see the world a lot differently than I do. Me, I’m happy to sit at home and watch a documentary, but Carina’s keeping me young, and what’s the point of having all the money if you don’t go out and see the world.”

I chuckle. “Says the man with hotels on every continent and in every major city.”

“It’s different,” Danforth says. “You know it is.”

“I’ll give you that.”

“All that is to say, if we partner up, I’ll take care of the backend. Hell, I’ll front most of the capital and give you a solid stake. But you can have creative rein to plan and go wild with the kind of experiences we could provide. We can start right here in Banff.”

I smile to myself. “Huh. That does sound interesting . . . ”

Danforth points toward my curled lips. “You like the idea! I know you do.”

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