Page 79 of Billion Dollar Vow

The words feel like sparks skimming across my skin, leaving a trail of heat in their wake.

We exchange goodbyes with the group, and I give Eden a quick hug. “Thanks for including me today.”

She squeezes my shoulder with a smile that says she understands more than she lets on. Paige offers a wave.

The farewell with Liam is particularly strained. He extends his hand, and I force myself to take it, maintaining eye contact as we shake briefly. I keep my smile firmly in place. No way am I letting him see how much he got under my skin earlier.

As Oliver and I walk hand in hand to his car, a strange warmth settles over me. It’s been years since I held a man’s hand like this. We’ve held hands a few times since the arrangement began, but this feels different, like this isn’t just for show anymore.

As we reach the car, Oliver’s phone rings. He glances at me, his brow furrowing slightly. “Do you mind if I take this? I tried calling her earlier, but she didn’t answer.”

I nod, curiosity flickering.Her?

Settling into the soft leather seat, I buckle up and let my head rest against the window as Oliver presses accept via Bluetooth.

“Hey, Grams,” he says softly.

A smile tugs at my lips as I look out at the scenery. The lingering relaxation from the massage and tea wraps around me like a cocoon.

“I heard you’re not coming on Sunday.” His grandmother’s voice crackles through the phone. “Are you okay? I haven’t seen you much.”

“I’m sorry,” Oliver replies with an apologetic chuckle. “I have an important dinner.”

I know he means dinner with my family and Evelyn.

“It better not be for work,” she fires back.

I bite my lip, holding back a laugh. She’s giving him a proper scolding, and it’s… adorable.

“It’s not,” he assures her, shaking his head with a grin that makes me frown slightly.What’s so funny?

“So, it’s a woman,” she presses.

I hold my breath, waiting for his answer. His eyes flick to mine, and he drops to a quiet, almost shy tone. “Yes.”

“I couldn’t hear you. Speak up, Oliver. Where are you?”

I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing. She’s relentless and reminds me of how much I missed having grandparents growing up.

“Sorry, I’m in the car. I just left the golf course,” he explains patiently.

“Well, I’ll let you go for now,” she says after a moment. “But call me later. We need to discuss this woman.”

“Alright, Grams. I love you,” he says.

“Love you too, Oliver.”

She hangs up, and we spend the rest of the drive in comfortable silence, my mind replaying the day's events.

Climbing out of the car after we pull into the driveway, I glance at Oliver, feeling an unexpected softness toward him. Hearing him tell his grandmother he loves her melts something inside me. I hadn’t anticipated this side of him, the one who cares deeply for others, including showing kindness toward me. Each gesture has been changing my initial opinion of him… He isn’t the selfish, rich playboy I assumed he was.

“I get the feeling she’s going to grill you about me.”

He laughs, running a hand through his hair. “Oh, she will. She’ll have my ass hanging out by the end of it.”

His grin is so infectious that I laugh, the tension from earlier fading into the background.

As we step inside, the familiar warmth of the house wraps around me like a comforting embrace. Dropping my bag onto the kitchen counter, I kick off my shoes and stretch out my arms. “Thank you for booking me a massage at the spa.”

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