Page 44 of If You Give a Billionaire a Bride

“Damnit, Cash.” Theo blows out a breath as he sits on my desk. “You’re not playing fair.”

“This isn’t a game, and Everly isn’t a pawn,” I state as I perch next to him.

“At least we can agree on something,” he says as he glances over at me. “I’m just having trouble wrapping my head around how she could be okay with this. She’s a workaholic, keeps to herself, and hasn’t been on a proper date since she ended things with Landon. Now she’s married to you? You have nothing in common.”

“We balance each other out,” I answer truthfully.

“Fuck.” He rises from the desk and scrutinizes me as if searching for any sign of deception. “I was really looking forward to punching that pretty-boy face of yours.”

I burst out laughing. “Aim for the left side the next time you have the urge. Everly might tolerate half my face being fucked up, but I don’t think she’d like it if I didn’t have a pretty side.”

He scoffs. “You’re joking, right? She’s always had a thing for your scar. I heard her tell Whitney it was sexy as hell after she caught her talking shit on you in the hallway the week after you two broke up.”

Warmth spreads through my chest. “Everly said that?”

“Yeah, she did,” he assures me. “I’m not happy about this new development, but I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt. However, if you do anything to hurt her, I won’t hesitate to punch you next time.”

A twinge of guilt prickles at my senses.

I wish I could come clean about the buyout—the real reason Everly is staying married to me. Theo won’t be so forgiving once he finds out I withheld important information, but I can’t betray Everly’s trust.

“Now that Everly and I are married, I can call youbrother, right?” I rib him.

Theo shakes his head, smirking. “Not a chance.”

Not only do I have to win Everly over, but now I’ve got to prove to Theo that I’ll always be there for him too. No matter what it takes.

12

EVERLY

“YOU’RE STARING AGAIN,” I SAYto August without looking up from my computer.

“I’m processing,” he says.

I was the first to work this morning, but when he arrived, he stopped by my office for an update on my weekend and got far more than he bargained for. After I dropped the bombshell about Cash and I getting married, he made himself right at home on the upholstered couch in the corner.

I glance over at him, reclined back with his hands laced behind his neck. He’s wearing a tailored navy-blue suit, a light blue dress shirt with the first button undone, and white sneakers.

His jet-black hair is styled with the top in curls and the sides trimmed into a tapered fade. And that British accent has bothmen and women falling for him instantly, drawn in by his classic good looks.

“Don’t be so dramatic,” I scold him with a hint of a smile.

His electric blue gaze meets mine. “Oh, I’m sorry. How should I react to you getting back to town two days late and announcing that you’re married?” He sits up straight. “Not to mention the bomb you dropped about Townstead International being acquired. I’m not looking forward to sharing the news with Liam.”

I was right to assume my dad hadn’t told anyone else about the deal. He’s been going behind our backs for months, and if he were working with anyone other than the Stafford brothers, I’d be worried about the outcome.

After hitting send on the email I’ve been working on, I give August my full attention.

“I’ll have you know this whole mess is your fault,” I goad him. “If you hadn’t encouraged me to let loose while I was in Vegas, I never would have entertained the idea of getting a drink with Cash. Or several.” I mutter the last part under my breath.

August chuckles. “It’s about damn time you were spontaneous and let loose a little. I was concerned you forgot how to have fun.”

“I don’t think getting married to someone I haven’t seen in fourteen years qualifies asa little loose. It was downright reckless. Which brings me to my complaint.” I rest my elbow on my desk and prop my chin on my hand.

“Oh, I can’t wait to hear this.” August leans forward in his seat.

“You were wrong. What happens in Vegas most certainly does not stay in Vegas.” I hold out my ring finger for emphasis.

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