Page 259 of Billionaire Temptations

“Oh. She always said that happily ever after is a myth and it doesn’t exist.”

“I think I would have liked your mother.”

“I know you would have.” I smiled as I ran my hand through his hair.

“Thanks for coming over tonight,” he spoke with seriousness as his hand stroked my cheek and his eyes locked on mine.

“You’re welcome. Thanks for calling and inviting me.”

“My pleasure.” His lips softly pushed into mine.

We lay in bed, his arm wrapped tightly around my waist as we lay on our sides. His head nuzzled so close to me that I could feel the warmth of his breath sweep across my back, for he was already sound asleep. Jackson Caine was a man not too long ago to whom I was incredibly attracted to, and now, he had become an addiction. I was beyond happy when he called and asked me to come over, and yet I was scared shitless for feeling that way. He occupied a large space in my mind, and I thought about him more than I should have—more than I ever had thought about anyone before. I was failing at the fight to keep him at a safe distance, and I didn’t know what to do.

A few days had passed,and Jackson had to go to Chicago to see his father. It had been three days since I’d seen him, which somehow put me in a mood. He was right about his mother. He was summoned to dinner to tell him and Jules that she was getting divorced.

While digging through my purse, trying to find my lip gloss, I pulled out the business card Gregory had left on the table when he was here. Staring at it, I took a deep breath at the indecision of whether to call him. I honestly didn’t have time for this. The shop's expansion was near completion, and I was busy trying to make sure everything was in its proper place.

“Are you going to call him?” Katie asked as she stood over my shoulder.

“I don’t know. I really don’t have time to deal with him right now.” I threw the card back in my purse.

“You have time, Emily. You just don’t want to deal with what he might tell you.”

“That’s not true.”

“I think it is. You’re scared and afraid that he’s your father, and you don’t want to face the fact that your mother lied to you all these years.”

“She didn’t lie. Maybe she didn’t know he was the father.”

“Or maybe she did, and for one reason or another, she never wanted you to know about him.”

I threw my purse under the counter and spoke, “Like I said, I don’t have time to deal with him.”

“What’s wrong with you?” she asked.

“Yeah. What is wrong with you?” Evelyn piped up as she walked into the shop. “You’ve been bitchy these last couple of days, and this totally isn’t like you.”

“I’m just stressed with the shop and stuff.”

“I’ve seen you at your worst with stress, and you’re never like this, so I’m suspecting it has to do with Jackson being out of town,” Katie spoke.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” I huffed as I walked away and straightened the scarves I had on display.

“I’m with Katie on this one, Em. I think you’re upset that you’re not seeing him for a few days, and you don’t know how to deal with it because, my friend, you are in love with him.”

The sound of laughter escaped me. “I do not love Jackson. Maybe as a friend, yes. Just like I love both of you, but I am not in love with him. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to lunch.”

Walking down East 9th Street, I stopped at a deli and sat outside on their patio.

“What may I get you?” the waitress asked.

“I’ll have a Rockwood sandwich on whole wheat.”

“Chips or fries?”

“Chips.”

“Very good. It’ll be up shortly.” She smiled as she walked away.

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