Page 76 of Secret Billionaire

34

Faye hung up the phone, her forehead creased with worry. Kyle had decided to throw a family get together and wanted her to bring Jesse and Ty along. Her stomach was tied up in knots. As she thought about their conversation, she knew she was being fickle.

On the one hand, she was getting what she’d hoped for…the family acknowledging Ty, and an opportunity to introduce Jesse. But now that she had to deal with the reality of Jesse and Ty meeting her family… She wanted to run as fast and far away from that scene as possible.

Despite Kyle’s assurances that everyone was anxious to meet them both, when he’d told her that her parents were flying in on their private jet from Palm Springs, her nerves began to fray. As she’d suspected would happen, Kyle had had a change of heart and wanted to meet with Ty and have a do over. She was pretty sure Ella had nudged that along.

Her father though—he was in a league all his own. He was suspicious of everyone, domineering, controlling, overbearing, and had prevailed over the family for her entire life. He had been showing signs of mellowing, especially since the kidnapping last year. He’d made more attempts to be in their lives and in Finn’s, but he was still a force to be reckoned with. She had thirty years of experience with her fucked up family and nothing was as it seemed with them.

She rubbed her temples, feeling a slight headache coming on. She was surprised at how protective she felt towards her two guys. They had become her go-to people and she felt like a mother tigress toward Ty. She wouldn’t let anyone hurt him.

With Jess, she felt vulnerable. They were just getting back on track and their relationship was still new and fragile. She knew what her father was capable of. All she could do was prepare them both for the onslaught because she sure as hell couldn’t control her family.

Maybe she was over analyzing, and everything would be easy. Yeah sure and pigs could fly! She stood up rubbing the back of her neck. She needed to move her body and do something mindless to distract herself. This usually resulted in a very clean bar.

She opened her office door and heard Jesse singing before she saw him. Her breath caught at the sight of him…every time. His eyes were sparkling as he belted out a Thomas Rhett tune, The Day you Stop Lookin’ Back. He put his toolbox down and swept her up twirling her around. Faye giggled as he tickled her neck with his stubble. His scent was intoxicating.

“How’s the most beautiful girl in the world?”

“Much better now.”

“I missed you.”

“Me too.”

“Spend the night with me tonight?”

“Okay.”

“Yee haw!” He swung her around one more time before placing her back on her feet. “Is Ty here yet?” Jesse asked.

“He was. He had to run an errand.”

Faye stood on her tiptoes and put her arms around his neck, “I had a hard time falling asleep without your arms around me.”

“Same. I was lonely as hell. Promise me some pillow talk tonight.”

“I’ve never had that request from a guy before.”

Jesse grinned, “I’m not just any guy, I’m one of those evolved kinds of guys. A developed feminine side, ya know what I’m talkin’ about?”

She snorted with laughter, “You’re a goof ball.”

He feigned a hurt look, “What are you saying, I’m not a sensitive guy?”

Faye pulled his face down close to hers, “I never said that.”

“My mama raised me right.”

“Yes, she did. You’ll get no arguments from me.”

“Get a room,” Ty said walking in with an armful of wood.

“Oh good, you remembered. Thanks for picking that up,” Jesse said.

“Sure.”

“Hey, I have to talk with you guys,” Faye said.

---