Page 63 of Billion Dollar Vow

A tingle sweeps up the back of my neck and across my face as soon as the words leave my mouth. I don’t know why I shared that. Something about him is making me slip up, and I’m not sure if I’m grateful or terrified. I risk a glance at him, expecting pity, but find only quiet understanding in his eyes.

“Thank you,” he says simply, starting the car. “For telling me more about your past.”

We drive in silence for a few minutes, but it’s not uncomfortable. The rain starts to ease up, but the moment still lingers between us.

At home, we gather the bags and walk inside. I smirk. “I’ll make dinner. But only if you promise not to lecture me about kale.”

He pauses at the island, giving me a sidelong glance. “Sold.”

I hide my glee, knowing he’s about to eat the most processed instant noodles, and I’ll make him love every second of it.

Chapter 15

Karley

AsIstepoutof Hugh’s office, my heart pounds. I put down a payment on the house…My house. After months of dreaming, of saving every penny, it’s finally happening, thanks to this fake arrangement with Oliver.

My phone buzzes in my hand. Speaking of Oliver…

Oliver:Do you have time to teach me how to paint? I want a lesson.

Me:Why? You know your mom could give you professional lessons.

Oliver:She’s busy and I would prefer my wife.

My fingers hover over the screen, my stomach doing a little flip. There's something unexpectedly sweet about him choosing me. Like he actually wants me there.

Oliver:It'll make for good social pics. Warne will see them.

I can almost see him typing that second message quickly, as if he needed to justify the first one to himself as much as to me. Sometimes it’s too easy to forget this is all for show.

Me:Could you come by Tills tonight before my 6pm class starts?

Oliver:I’ll be there. Do you need me to bring anything?

I hesitate, then decide to share my news. It feels important that he knows since he’s the reason it’s happening at all.

Me:No, but I just paid the down payment on the house. It’s really happening.

There’s a brief pause before his reply comes through.

Oliver:Congratulations!

I stare at the word longer than I should, tucking my phone away before I can overthink anything, and then head to work.

The hours crawl by, and before I know it, it’s nearly five in the evening. I’m already at the studio, the light outside starting to shift.

I set up a station and lay out all the tools he might need, checking everything twice. I tap my finger on the edge of the table, wondering if there’s something I’ve forgotten, but a knock at the door pulls me out of my thoughts.

I open it to find him standing there in his work uniform.

“Didn’t have time to change,” he answers my silent question as he steps through the door and heads straight to the small easel on the table.

“You better focus if you don’t want to get paint on that suit.” I close the door and watch as he sits down.

“If I’m as careful with the paint as you are with your instructions,” he says with a wry smile, “I’m sure I’ll walk out of here without having to throw away this suit.”

My mouth drops, and a small, pained noise leaves my mouth. “You wouldn’t throw it away.”

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