Page 1 of Enemies with My Brother's Billionaire Bestie

Chapter one

Olivia

Every love story begins with a sprinkle of magic and unexpected twists," I wrote on my blog two years ago. "While the journey may seem daunting, isn't there something enchanting about wandering down an unfamiliar path?" Now, as I drive into Honey Grove, I can't shake the feeling that unfamiliar paths await me.

As my car drifts deeper into the darkness, my heart races with a blend of anticipation and uncertainty. I can't recall where I first heard the lyrics, "A rolling stone always finds its way back home," but one thing is clear: I am that rolling stone. For months—maybe even years—I've been tumbling downhill, chasing a dream that always seemed just out of reach. Now, surrounded by the sound of waves crashing against the rocks, seagulls calling their whimsical tunes, and the soft glow of distant cottages, I realize I’ve finally come home.

I stare at a park that wasn’t here three years ago, watching lovers laugh as children run around. So much has changed since I’ve been away, but now I’m back where it all began: Honey Grove.

This is where everything began, including my quest for a happy ending—the very quest that now defines my career as a love advice blogger. When I launched theHey, Hey, Cinderellablog two years ago, it was a way to share my own fairytale dreams with the world. It turns out, many others were yearning for their own happy endings too. And now, here I am, living a life I’m truly proud of.

As I pull up in front of the stone walls of what I once called home, a wave of nostalgia washes over me, bringing back the beautiful memories I created here with my family.

I can almost hear my parents' hearty laughter from the jokes shared around the dinner table and feel their presence in every room they filled with their love story before they passed. Now, it's my brother's turn to create his own memories here, and I’m genuinely grateful to have the chance to witness it.

As I grapple with the conflicting emotions of joy and longing, the door slides open, and Julia runs out with a huge smile plastered across her face.

"Oh, boy, here we go," I sigh, dropping my bag and bracing for the impact of her hug. But even that isn’t enough to keep me from being squashed under her weight.

I pat her shoulders frantically until she finally loosens her grip, giving me just enough room to breathe.

"Come on, Jules, if you want me to be your maid of honor, at least try not to murder me before the big day."

“Oh, Ollie, I missed you so much,” she whispers into my ear, stroking my hair fondly.

Letting out a relieved breath, I wrap my arms around her this time. "I missed you too, Jules. I missed this town so much."

When we finally pull away from each other, her big blue eyes are filled with happy tears. My gaze shifts to the huge rock on her finger, courtesy of my brother, Daniel Reeds.

Taking her hands in mine, I trace the ring as if I haven’t seen it a hundred times during our video calls, even though it’s been six months since he proposed.

"My world, Julia, are you sure you can keep your hand steady with a rock that huge on it? It's like a mountain," I tease, and she lets out a hearty laugh.

“It is, right? Well, if it means being stuck with your brother for life, I’d gladly wear Mount Everest on my finger.”

I always knew they would end up together; theirs was a love story that began in high school, one everyone knew was destined for forever. They were the "Romeo and Juliet" of Honey Grove—without the poison, of course—and sixteen years later, they were finally getting their own fairytale ending.

My parents would have been so proud if they were still here. My eyes sting with unshed tears, and my heart aches for a love as beautiful as theirs.

Like every young girl, I dreamed of my own fairytale—of being swept up in a happily ever after with my own Prince Charming. I wanted a love like my parents shared, a love like my brother and Julia have now. Maybe that should be the title of my next blog post: "Dreaming of Love."

"Wait here, let me get help," she says, grabbing one of the bags and calling out for my brother to come assist me.

As I wait, I hear the distinct sound of a car slowly pulling into the yard. Whoever can afford a flashy Porsche like that must be a lost tourist—and definitely not from around here.

It's hard to make out his face in the dim light of the moon, but one thing is certain: I’ve never seen shoulders so broad—they look sturdy enough to sit on. His body is a work of art, sculpted as if he belongs on the cover of a fashion magazine, like something out of a romance novel or a Greek myth. He’s the kind of man who seems to have stepped down from Olympus itself.

With each step he takes toward me, my heart begins to pound, and for the first time, I regret wearing these bright yellow joggers covered in bananas. Maybe something less 'fruitful' would’ve been a better choice today! Could this be Mother Fate sending me my own Prince Charming?

He stands before me now, and just as my head starts to drift into the clouds, I’m jolted by a wave of recognition. “Wait a minute, I know that smile.”

Blinking rapidly, I silently pray this is just a bad dream, but with each blink, his face becomes clearer.

I whisper, still doubting my eyes—there’s no way he can be here. Elliot left town six years ago—I saw him leave with my own two eyes. If he had come back, wouldn’t my brother have mentioned it? Wouldn’t he have told me that his best friend, the guy who made my high school years a living hell, was back?

“I didn’t think I’d ever see you again, Ollie. You look different,” he says with that smug smile of his, his gaze sweeping over me with an almost appreciative air.

Something about that compliment—or whatever it is—makes me want to knock the air out of his lungs, even though I doubt a punch from me would make a dent in that perfectly sculpted body.

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