Page 253 of Billionaire Temptations

“Tomorrow over breakfast.” He smirked. “But you wouldn’t stop talking about it.”

A feeling came over me in an instant. A mixture of—shit, I didn’t know. On one hand, I was overwhelmed by the generosity of his buying the buildings so I could expand, but on the other, I was a little frightened by what he had done.

“I don’t know what to say, Jackson. I can’t believe you did that.”

“Don’t read too much into it, Emily. I did it for investment reasons and because you’re my friend, and friends help each other out, right?”

“Yeah. I guess. But that had to cost you a lot of money.”

“What doesn’t cost a lot of money these days? I wouldn't have done it if I didn’t think it was worth it. So, my purchase was in the best interest of both of us.”

Leaning over, I brushed my lips against his. “Thank you for letting me expand.”

“You’re welcome.” He pulled me on top of him. “One more round before we go to sleep?”

“Definitely.” I grinned.

Chapter Twenty-Six

ONE MONTH LATER

Emily

Life was good. Too good to be true, actually. Things with Jackson and me were phenomenal, and our negotiation worked perfectly. He was busy with work, securing new deals and new properties every day, and I was busy with the expansion of Emily’s Edge. Jules popped into the shop occasionally, and the four of us went out at least once a week. Jackson told her about our arrangement, and she thought it was a little strange, but she wasn’t surprised.

I stood in the middle of the shop and watched as the carpenters worked on the espresso bar.

“This is going to be great,” Evelyn said as she stood beside me.

“What’s going to be great is that wall over there with your name displayed on it and your designs hanging underneath.” I smiled.

“That too.” She laughed. “By the way, Dylan and I said those three lovely words to each other last night.”

“Oh?” My brow raised as I stood there with my arms folded. “Isn’t it kind of soon to be saying those poisonous words?”

“Stop it. And no, it’s not too soon. I do love him. Hearing him say those words was magical.”

“You do know that magic isn’t real, right?”

Her eyes narrowed at me as she placed her hands on her hips.

“I think what you and Jackson have is incredible. I know you don’t want to hear this, but you two are no different from any other couple in the world. And don’t deny it. You two are a couple. I’ve seen the look on your face when he cancels a date because something came up at work, and he has to switch the day you two see each other. I’ve seen you start to text him and then decide you better not, and I’ve seen how the two of you are together. You both are crazy and head over heels for each other. You can deny it all you want, sister, but I know there’s more to this so-called companionship relationship than you’re willing to admit.”

I turned my nose up as I walked away.

“You’re wrong. We’re great friends with a little extra spice on the side. What Jackson and I have is perfect. In fact, if more people did what we did, they’d be a lot happier.”

As I was rearranging the display table in the front of the store, a man I recognized from a month ago walked in.

“Hello, Emily. I don’t know if you remember me.”

“Gregory, right?” I smiled.

“Yes. My wife and I just moved to the city, and I thought I’d drop by and say hello.”

“So you did make the move. Welcome to New York.”

“Thank you. If you wouldn’t mind, I would like to have lunch or perhaps dinner with you one night.”

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