Page 35 of The Nanny's Bossy Billionaire

Brooke

The wedding reception isin full swing, and I’ve never danced so much in my life. Bonnie arrived just as the wedding ceremony started and sat beside me. And now she’s swapped tables at the reception rather than staying at her original table with Jordan, Sabrina and Ethan.

We enjoy bubbly drinks, dance, and people-watch. She comments on the guests, particularly the eye candies—the groomsmen, most of whom have now lost their bow ties and are sporting a few of their shirt buttons undone, giving tantalizing peeks of muscled chests and tattoos.

Xavier is still fully dressed and noticeably tense, having gone out to smoke a couple more times but apart from that, he is as attentive as ever. We’ve shared a few dances and each time it was a full-body experience to be so close to him. By the end of the fourth dance, I was panting with the need for more.

Giovanni gives a rousing best man’s speech, to which Alex responds, saying it must have been the most difficult speechhe’s ever done because it was in English and because he wasn’t allowed to swear. Everyone laughs.

He doesn’t even have an accent. Why do people keep calling him ‘Italian guy’ as if he speaks no English?Perhaps there’s something else to his being Italian that defines him. Something to do with those scary men Zoey might as well have called his pets.Okay. I calm my overactive imagination. I may have read one too many of Mario Puzo’s books.

Xavier and Zoey are on the dance floor now, and Dan is spinning a giggling Lisa.

Bonnie’s just gone off dancing with Max. She’s more appropriately dressed today but no less sexy. She is in a silk plum-colored mini dress with a collar and long sleeves. But that’s where the decency stops. It has a deep, narrow plunging neckline extending all the way to her winking purple belly button piercing, and the skirt is ruched to emphasize her curves.

I’m enjoying my third flute of bubbly champagne when Vanessa approaches and sits on Xavier’s empty chair beside me.

She looks stunning with her shoulder-length black hair and hot pink strapless jumpsuit with a sash tied into a large bow.

“Hello, Brooke, we’ve not had a chance to catch up since”—she clears her throat—“yesterday. Any friend of Bennett’s is a friend of mine.”

I hate that she calls him Bennett. “Why do you call him that?” I ask, feigning indifference.

“Because he loves it,” she retorts. “We go way back, you see. Bennett, Wyatt, Ryan…” She pauses. “Even Taylor. We’ve been friends for years.”

“Who’s Taylor?” I’m certain she was baiting me with that pause, but I can’t resist biting.

“Oh, Bennett hasn’t told you about her? Shit. I shouldn’t have said anything. Maybe you should ask him. But then again, if it’s as you say and he’s only ‘seeing’ to you, he’s not obliged to tell you anything deep and meaningful, is he?”

I look back at Xavier, who is now dancing with Lisa while Zoey is in Dan’s arms, as the barb sinks in.

As if on cue, Xavier looks over at us, a worried frown on his face. “Are you alright?” he mouths. I nod and smile woodenly.

“This little thing you two have going on,” she says, “he can’t possibly be that into you.”

“I think you’re wrong,” I say, hoping my voice doesn’t sound as shaky as I feel.

“You seem like a nice girl, Brooke. That is why I’m going to tell you this. Xavier cannot give you what you’re looking for.”

“Which is?”

“Himself,” she says matter-of-factly. “A relationship. Love. I see the way you look at him. Not that I blame you; it’s impossible not to love Bennett.”

“He’s not capable of all that.” Vanessa continues, scenting blood in the water. “At least not with anyone who’s not Taylor. I see a lot of girls get their hopes up only to get crushed.”

“Like you did?” I reply.Maybe your “Bennett” can’t but the Xavier I know can give himself to me. I’ve felt it.My stupid, hopeful heart stubbornly insists.

Vanessa lets out a loud sigh. “Brooke, Xavier will never love again and it has nothing to do with you. You’ll be lucky if you last more than a few weeks. Better to leave now while you still have some dignity, before you become completely broken over a man that cannot return your feelings.” She pats my hand and leaves.

Ryan comes to get me to dance and then it’s Lee, then Wyatt, then Max, or was it James? The rest of the reception has become a blur because every single beat is an echo in my head.

Taylor.

Taylor.

Taylor.

When the dancing stops in time for Nora to throw the bouquet, I’m nauseous and lightheaded and just about had enough. I tell Zoey I need the ladies’ and leave the venue.

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