Page 10 of Once Upon a Royal Billionaire

“Well, yes.”

“Okay, I respect that you’re busy, but in the middle of all that, let’s be together.”

“Together?” She raised an eyebrow. That was bold, even for him.

“Together as friends, or friendly. Together not fighting?”

She nodded, slowly. “I’d like that. I could use more friends. Sorry, not just more friends. I could use my oldest, best friend, back in my life.” She smiled sincerely, hoping he knew she meant it.

“I’ll be back in your life however you’ll take me.”

They pulled back up to his dock as she considered him. She knew he was in between relationships. That he’d have another pretty girl on his arm before too long. But she wasn’t sure how serious he’d been about any of them, or how true the tabloids’ reporting was. She exhaled slowly. She absolutely could not let her heart become engaged; she couldn’t move forward with any sort of expectation that their relationship would progress past friendship. But she was tired of the discord, and she longed to mend things. “Friends would be perfect.” Though she had to admit that she hadn’t come solely for Rhett. “And I need the guys.”

“What was that?” Rhett had the ropes and was gathering up life jackets.

“I need the guys. I need to pick up a few more sponsors.” She hoped she’d kept the desperation out of her voice. She was meant to pitch it like the great opportunity it was, not like a last-ditch effort to save her company—which it also was.

“Okay. Do you want to just pitch it to me?”

“I could, but I need everyone in. It will work best if we all agree together.”

“Now I’m curious.”

“Maybe I can practice my pitch on you.”

“I’d like that. And I get first dibs on whatever financial opportunity this is. Anything Mountain Blue is involved in turns to gold.”

If only that were true. “Of course. I’ll give you first dibs after you hear the pitch. Listen to see if you want in.”

“I already know I do.” His confidence in her spurred a twinge of guilt and a new warmth of feeling toward him.

“Thanks.” Once everything was stowed away, they walked up the boat ramp towards the house. “I can’t believe I’m back here.”

“It almost feels like we jumped back in time and we’re all still eighteen.”

“Almost.”

Clint fell out the two-story window, Donovan hanging onto his ankles.

“Some moments more than others.”

As soon as they entered the door, Emily’s older brother Carlson crossed his arms. “What’s this?”

“Hey, Carlson!” Rhett held out his hand for a fist bump, but Carlson kept his arms crossed.

“Something I should know about here?”

Emily shook her head. “No, we were just catching up. As friends.”

“Finally.” Rhett smiled.

“Really?” Carlson stood taller and reached for both of them, pulling them against his sides. “Guys!” he shouted to the whole house.

The rest of the guys gathered at the top of the stairs.

“The duo is back!”

“We already knew that!” A few of them grumbled as they made their way back into the upper loft.

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