Page 141 of The Grumpy Billionaire

“Or not,” I agree.

We play hooky the rest of the day, which consists of hunting down our favorite falafel truck and retiring back to my place to eat and binge on historical sleuths.

Stella tells me about Charlie’s visit, and what Charlie observed about my having her back. I’m surprised at the one-eighty after the way he acted when he was here.

“He deserves another chance,” she says. “He’s trying. He’s looking at things. I’m not going to relate everything he said, but I feel like these years in Japan have given him perspective. He really owned what he did.”

Emotions crowd my chest. “Really.”

“He’s sorry.”

I grab my phone. I need to see him. “Is he in town? Maybe we should meet him out.”

“He’s in Illinois by now.”

I nod. That makes sense. He comes to the States so infrequently, of course he tries to get home. “He’s probably helping your dad clean the gutters right about now.” I set down my phone.

“What is it?” she asks.

“I miss him. I didn’t realize how much I miss him. He’s my oldest and best friend, and I want to make things right.”

Stella announces that I absolutelyhaveto come home with her. “I know you like to avoid your parents on holidays, but just stay with us the whole time. Don’t even tell them.”

“I’ll stay with you, but I’ll check in on my folks.”

“If you check on your folks, could I come? If it wouldn’t be too weird? Would that even help?”

“You’d go with me?” I tuck some hair behind her ear. “You don’t have to.”

“I want to. I love having your back and being in things with you.”

I slide my fingers over hers, with this strange and good feeling in my heart. Everything feels new. “I’d like that,” I say. “It would help a lot.”

She grins. “Are we all in on a growth spurt? Instead of eating turkey, are we gonna have to put on lava lamps and hug?”

“Please, no.”

She climbs into my lap. “We’ll celebrate with commemorative Chia Pets.”

“Better not,” I grumble into a kiss.

“I’ll tell Mom to start them growing so that they can be fully chia-sprouted by the time you arrive.”

ChapterFifty-Nine

Hugo

I headto Wulfric’s office first thing, braced for the worst.

The madness with this pineapple demonstration and the flamboyant public nature of it was everything right for Stella and me, but I cringe to think of the Wulfric fallout.

Lola gives me an inscrutable look as I pass. “He’s waiting.”

I walk in. His office is bright and spare. My belly twists as he stands up behind his massive desk. This man who’s always been able to see what I see when other people haven’t.

“Jones,” he growls.

“Wulfric,” I say.

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