Page 13 of Grumpy Billionaire Seeking Wife

"So, ladies, what's it to be? Do you want to waste time on dates that are going nowhere tonight? Or pitch your business to me?" He stares directly into my eyes. "Also, Sabrina, in case I haven't mentioned it, it's good to see you." He smiles warmly. "I feel like I haven't seen you in a couple of months, and I was starting to wonder what I did." He cocks his head to the side. "Glad to see that you're doing well."

Jackassis all I can think in my mind. He knew exactly what he did. What I did. I wanted to grab his tie and wrap it around his neck.

"It's been over a year," I mumble under my breath, slightly annoyed that he hasn't realized just how long I've been avoiding him. I wonder if he even remembers the last time we were in each other’s company. If he can even remember our argument. And how heated we both got. Have I been avoiding him for nothing? Did he even notice? How can he think it’s only been months?

"Sorry, what did you just say?" he asks as he pulls his completely unbuttoned shirt out of his pants and displays his tanned chest and abs. Be still, my ever-loving heart. I wonder if he can hear how loud it is beating. I hope my eyes and lips aren't giving me away. I'm practically salivating at the sight of him. I should have kept my ass at home. Seeing Wes Carrington without his shirt on is taking me back to the days when he was the star of my every dream and fantasy, and I do not want to relive those days. No, thank you!

"Dude, what are you doing?" Erica makes a face as she hits him in the arm. "Auditioning forMagic Mike 10? We don't wanna see you unclothed."

"I'm getting changed. Do you have a problem with that, sis? You are in my apartment, remember?" He raises an eyebrow and twists his lips up before snorting. "Unwanted, to boot. So, are we doing dinner tonight or not?" He pulls his shirt off. BE STILL, MY HEART. "Or do I need to call one of my..." He pauses and grins as Erica lets out a loud groan. "Lady friends and see who is available to eat?"

"Call whoever you want." Erica jumps up. "We have plans. Plus, I'm sure Miles is free this weekend, so we can speak to him about the sponsorship instead."

"Hmmm, if you say so." Wes grabs his phone from his back pocket and makes a call, his eyes on mine as he waits to speak. "Lydia, hey, it's Wes. I was wondering if you'd like to grab dinner tonight?" All I can think is who the fuck is Lydia? "Around 7:00? At that Thai place in the village we went to last time? Yes, that was a fun night." He pauses and looks at me before continuing. Is he trying to rile me up? He couldn't be, could he? "Wear something sleek and sexy. No fruit apparel, like cherries or pineapples or anything." He chuckles as he winks at me. JERKFACE! "I know you would never. Perfect. I'll send a car for you." He hangs up and runs his fingers through his hair before he throws his shirt into my hands. "Have a great date night, Sabrina. Be a doll and put this in the wash for me before you head out." He looks over at Erica. "Take your photos, but please be out by nine. I will likely have company coming back, and I'd like a private evening."

"You're a pig, Wes," Erica says in disgust as I throw his shirt back at him, and he catches it with a chuckle.

"Do it yourself, Channing Tatum wannabe."

"Who I may be on a date with this evening." Erica grins, and we high-five. Wes looks at us for a few moments and just shakes his head.

"I'm not going to say anything," he mutters under his breath.

"You are never going to find a good wife with your piss-poor attitude," Erica continues. "Women are not here to do your cooking and cleaning."

"Nor to service you in other ways," I add. He smirks, and I can tell he wants to make a comment to me about the last time we saw each other. I will die if he does.

"It's a good thing I'm not looking, then, isn't it?" He shakes his head and moves down the corridor towards his bedroom. I want to follow him and spy on his room, but I'm not crazy. "I'm not desperate, and I'm not interested in changing who I am justto be with someone." He stops at his bedroom door and looks at me for a few moments. "Good luck tonight, Sabrina. I hope your date is as special as you want it to be." Why do I not believe him? "Just don't say I didn't warn you that that outfit is not bringing you any Prince Charmings...or at least none that will last more than one night." He winks, walks into his bedroom, and slams the door as I stand there gawking. I look over at Erica, and I can see she is fuming, as well.

"Don't mind him. You look super cute and beautiful and sexy." She rushes over to me. "Wes is just a hater. He thinks because he's some hotshot that he knows everything, but he doesn't. Your date will be amazing, and so will mine. And if it's not, we will still have these amazing photos for the app." She runs her fingers through her long hair, and I stare at the watermelon earrings I made her that are dangling in front of her eyes. She is wearing a white crop top with a bra that is even more padded than mine, and I let out a light groan as I take in her appearance and know that it reflects my own gaudiness. Do we look young, cute, and chic, or do we look cheap and tacky?

"He was a little right," I whisper as I wrinkle my nose. "We're hot messes," I say softly, and she grabs my hands and starts laughing. "Wes was right...we're not winning over any billionaires with these looks." I reach over and touch her earrings. "You don't have to wear these if you don't want to."

"I am wearing them. They are cool, and thank you for making them for me. I love them." She smiles, and the light reaches her eyes as she does. One thing I have always loved about Erica is that she's always supported me through everything. I know if she had her way, she'd support me in every way, but there is no way I’m taking her family's money, though I love her for offering it to me every so often. I think part of the reason she loves and trusts me so much is because I’m not one to just take, take, take.

"I am so lucky you're my best friend, Erica. And tonight, well, tonight will go as it goes."

"I mean, Wes is not always wrong." She giggles. "But we cannot tell him that. Tonight, we will have fun, no matter what happens."

"That is a plan," I say, taking a deep breath. "I really hope that Rudolpho is as cute as he looks in his pics."

"Or at least as cute as a red-nosed reindeer," she says with a straight face, and we both burst into hysterical laughter. "You know what...I'm not going to say anything else. This is all just a part of our journey." She nods as if she’s trying to convince both of us. “No matter what happens tonight, it’s okay. It will make great fodder for our podcast.” We exchange small smiles of excitement because we’re both excited for our new venture. Maybe even more than we are for our dates. "And who knows, maybe I was right. Maybe this will be the last first date we ever go on again."

I can tell that the alcohol has slightly worn off because there's no part of me that is feeling hopeful that that is going to happen.

Chapter Six

Wes

"You girls haven't left yet?" I come out of my bedroom to see the two women are still here in my apartment. I take them in and smile at their excitement. They both have positive and happy dispositions, and being around them is always fun, if not often hectic and stressful. It feels good to finally see Sabrina again, and a part of me wants to tell her that I've missed her, though that would be incredibly foolish of me. She looks radiant, and for all my joking, she looks sexy as hell. I'm annoyed that she's going on this date. There is no way that her date wouldn't want her. She is beautiful and feisty and has an amazing sense of humor. I have to remind myself that she is my little sister’s best friend. She is off-limits.

“We’re about to leave.” Sabrina makes a face at me as they head toward the front door. I decide to see them off, even though I’m slightly annoyed by the fact that they’re so excited. I try to keep my tone light as I take in the entirety of both of their outfits close-up. I’d been joking earlier—well, only slightly—but the more I see their outfits and makeup, the more I wonder if they've absolutely lost their minds. They look like they are dressed to be the warm-up act at a circus. They are both still beautiful,but their bright pink luminescent eyeshadow alone could bring a plane down from the sky.

"You sure that you want to go on a date and not to an investor meeting with me?"

"We are sure, and we are on the way out." Erica opens the front door. "Thanks for the invite, but we have it from here. We will pick up our bags later tonight or tomorrow morning, if the night goes well."

"Too much information." I mock shudder. "I do not want to think of either of you hooking up with your dates, thank you very much."

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