Page 23 of Billionaire's Frenemy

She studied me for a minute, her gaze searching my face.

“You really would, wouldn’t you?” She seemed surprised.

“Willow, I would do anything for you.” I took both of her hands in mine and stared down at her. “When we get back…I really think you should move in with me.”

“Oh, you do, do you?” she challenged.

“Your apartment is the size of a closet. And it’s way too far from my place. What if you need something? What if something happens, and I’m too far away.” I sighed. “And…I want you there. With me.”

“Jamie, I don’t know—”

“We could go buy a place,” I offered, cutting her off. “You know, just a little starter mansion until the castle gets built.”

She laughed and shook her head, releasing one of my hands but keeping the other as she started walking again.

“Do you remember the conversation we just had about independence?”

“I do,” I concurred. “I recall we agreed to do it together.”

“I’ll think about it,” she offered. “That’s the best I can do right now. Okay?”

“Okay,” I agreed.

“Would you be mad if I wanted to go home?” She stopped again and stared up at me with wide eyes.

“I can have the plane back tomorrow. Is that okay? Or I could see if we could get a commercial flight if you don’t want to stay another day.”

“Wow,” she said, laughing and shaking her head. “You’re so loaded.”

“I offered to build you a castle, but the fact that I could throw a commercial flight on my Amex is what impresses you?”

I left out the fact that we’d brought my private jet here, and here was Switzerland, at a castle that was costing me more per day than she used to make in a month.

Granted, she’d known me forever. And there were things she was used to being around. We Cassels didn’t flaunt our wealth, but we didn’t hide it either. We worked hard, and we played hard. When we could, we brought our friends along for the ride, too. So, she’d done the whole private jet, crazy vacation thing with my family before this week. But, apparently, the ease with which I was able to move her around was the thing that stuck out from the norm.

“Willow.” I pulled her to a stop again. “I need you to understand something. Right now. Regardless of our relationship status, what’s mine is yours. It kind of always was. But it definitely is now. I will hand over every last cent I have to make sure thatyou and our baby are taken care of. Forever.” I saw her stiffen and realized she’d just drawn together unconnectable dots in her head. “That’s not a morality thing. That’s a love thing. We are in this together. I will never leave your side. Even when you try to push me away. I love you.”

“I know,” she said, blowing out a sigh and relaxing her shoulders. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” I asked, my brows knitting together in confusion.

“For jumping to conclusions. For being irrational and cranky. For hitting you in the balls earlier.” She shrugged. “I’m just sorry.”

“Don’t apologize to me,” I said. “I’m fine. You’re fine. We’re all fine.” I leaned forward and kissed her. “Come on. I’ll get the jet back here tomorrow, and we can enjoy our last night in style, what do you say?”

“Bring it on, Cassel.”

Eleven

Willow I-Don’t-Know-What-I-Want Tate

“Wait, wait, wait!” Emerson cried as she, Laura, Penny and I had brunch on the outdoor patio at my favorite café. Jamie and I had gotten back from Switzerland a couple weeks ago, and this was the first time we’d all been able to get together. I wished Phoebe was here, but she was still traveling. “So…you got pregnant after Laura’s bachelorette party for the wedding that would never be—thank God—and you’re just telling us now?”

To tell the truth, since my belly was starting to really pooch out, I was surprised neither she nor Laura had guessed before now. But they both had their starry-eyed honeymoon glasses on, their focuses mostly on their hunky men.

“I didn’t tell anyone except Penny. You were getting married then Laura was getting married. This is the first break we’ve had.”

Laura narrowed her eyes speculatively.

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