Page 5 of Rescued By My Small Town Billionaire

“It’s cute,” Lulu says, biting back a laugh. “In a... mismatched, free-spirited kind of way.”

I roll my eyes but can’t help smiling as I take a seat across from her.

Light streams through the kitchen window, highlighting the backyard beyond. My breath catches as I take it in—rows of vibrant flowers in every color imaginable, interspersed with lush greenery and trailing vines. It’s a garden straight out of a fairytale.

“Your backyard is gorgeous,” I say, nodding toward the window.

Just outside the kitchen, raised stone garden beds overflow with lavender, rosemary, sage, and chamomile. Climbing roses and honeysuckle wind around a weathered wooden trellis, creating a secluded nook with a small wrought-iron table and chairs.

Lulu glances outside and shrugs. “Thanks. That’s Mom’s doing. She’s a master gardener—always has been. She’ll probably be out there pruning or planting as soon as she gets back from her morning walk.”

“It’s incredible,” I murmur, my mind drifting to my own love of flowers. I could spend hours out there, losing myself in the rhythm of planting and tending. The wind chimes hanging froma nearby pear tree tinkle softly, blending with the sounds of birds chirping and bees buzzing from bloom to bloom.

“Speaking of incredible,” Lulu says, leaning forward with a mischievous glint in her eye. “What’s this I hear about Paul showing up at the fire last night?”

My stomach twists, and I sigh. “He offered me a place to stay. I told him no.”

“Um... yeah,” Lulu says firmly. “That guy’s bad news. You’re too vulnerable now to ride that dramatic roller coaster again.”

“Tell me about it,” I mutter, taking a sip of coffee.

Lulu studies me for a moment, her brow furrowed in thought. “You know,” she says slowly, “there’s a way to make him back off for good.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Oh? And what’s that?”

She grins. “You could pretend to be dating someone else. Someone who makes Paul think twice about sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong.”

I blink at her, caught off guard. “Lulu, that’s... I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Paul has some volatile qualities.

“Why not?” she presses. “It could work. He’d have no reason to bother you if he thought you’d moved on.”

“Moved on with who?” I ask, crossing my arms.

Her grin widens, and my stomach sinks. “My brother, Michael,” she says simply.

My coffee nearly goes down the wrong pipe. “Michael?” I remember her having a brother when she was last in town, but that was years ago. He had been older than us and never seemed to notice his younger sister and her friends.

“Why not?” Lulu shrugs. “He’s perfect for the role—strong, intimidating, and completely uninterested in drama. Paul would steer clear for sure.”

I shake my head, laughing nervously. “Lulu, from what I remember, your brother is... intense. No one would believe we’d be a couple.”

She waves me off. “That’s just his outside. He’s actually a big softie under all that gruffness.”

“I don’t know,” I say hesitantly, my mind racing. The idea of fake dating anyone is ridiculous... but also tempting to have a buffer between me and Paul.

Before I can say anything else, a small meow interrupts us. I freeze, my heart skipping a beat.

“B.?” I whisper, my eyes darting toward the doorway.

A tiny kitten pads into the kitchen, her tail flicking behind her. She stops in the middle of the room, tilting her head as if to say,What’s all the fuss about?

“B.!” I exclaim, dropping to my knees. The kitten darts toward me, climbing into my lap as I scoop her up. Tears sting my eyes as I press my cheek against her soft fur. “Oh my goodness.”

Lulu looks just as stunned as I feel. “Wait, that’s your kitten?”

“Yes,” I say, laughing through my tears. “Where did you find her?”

“I didn’t,” Lulu says slowly.

---