Page 10 of My Best Friend's Billionaire Brother
I shake my head. It doesn’t matter. Besides, he’s notoriously hard to read. He was probably just tired after a long day of travel.
We make it to the restaurant, and there’s a bit of scrambling as we all find our seats at the large table. All the other bridesmaids want to get a sorority group picture with Chloe, so they all end up sitting together and snapping about a million photos for Instagram. Turner sits next to Chloe, so that means I’m wedged between Will and one of the other groomsmen. No matter. As long as Chloe’s happy, that’s what matters. That’s all I care about when it comes to this weekend.
Chloe orders mimosas for the table, and then we each order our brunch plates. My phone buzzes in my pocket a few times, and I resist the urge to look at it. I’d stopped texting Owen last night after Will had suggested so. Because he’d been right. This weekend is about Chloe, and this fight with Owen can wait until Monday.
It’s over the stupidest thing too. He’d been over when I was packing for the trip the other night, and he’d seen some of the outfits I’d planned. Well, one in particular. A hot pink, skintight romper. Covered in sequins, low cut, short—veryBarbieinspired. All of us bridesmaids are wearing the same thing tonight while Chloe wears an identical version in white. Granted, it wasn’t my idea, but rather one that one of the girls had brought up and then the whole group ran with it.
“It’s a little revealing, don’t you think?” Owen had asked.
I’d shrugged. “It’s what Chloe wants.”
And while he’d let it go for the time being, that conversation has yet to end, culminating in his demand that I promise not to wear the outfit. To be honest, it’s pissing me off. And stressing me out—I have enough to worry about this weekend.
The phone buzzes for the third time in the last few minutes, and with a sigh, I pull it from my pocket.
Owen: You know what guys are going to be thinking when they see you wearing that. And I’m not even there, Josie. It just seems disrespectful.
I grit my teeth, staring down at the text. I never took Owen for the jealous or controlling type, and this fight is honestly surprising me.
“You still texting Owen?” a deep voice asks from beside me.
I hurriedly put my phone back into my pocket. Will is looking at me with yet another unreadable expression.
“It’s fine,” I tell him with a smile. “We’re working it out.”
Will looks unconvinced.
Brunch continues, and Chloe seems to be having a fantastic time, drinking multiple mimosas, getting the “best pancakes she’s ever had,” apparently, and lots and lots of Instagram pictures. Perfect. Just what I’d hoped.
Will glances at the time on his phone, grabbing everyone’s attention with, “We’ve got a reservation in half an hour—let’s head out!”
While I’m usually up for anything, this next item on our agenda I’m not exactly the most excited for. It had been Will’s idea. An idea that both Turner and Chloe agreed with, so who was I to argue?
Our destination is only a short walk from where we had brunch, so we all head out onto the street, with Will taking the lead, following Google Maps instructions. In about twenty minutes, we’ve reached it.
A zipline over the Las Vegas strip.
My blood runs cold just looking at it. I purse my lips as a pair of screaming people fly above us, down the line. I suddenly wonder if maybe I can get out of this. Wait for everyone down here and just take pictures of them.
I briefly propose this idea to Chloe, who cries, “Oh no you don’t! You’re not getting out of this, Josie.” She grabs my shoulders, pushing me toward thebuilding entrance. I roll my eyes and try to steel myself for the horror to come.
We head inside where Will presents our tickets and we’re instructed to take the elevator to the top floor. Everyone chatters excitedly while I dig my nails into my palms and try not to think about hurtling through the air hundreds of feet above ground. Chloe squeezes my arms encouragingly, and I smile the fakest smile ever in the hopes that she believes it.At least she’s having fun, at least she’s having fun, I keep telling myself.
The elevator doors open, and we step out. We’re ushered out onto a balcony, and immediately my stomach drops.
Jesus Christ.
Okay, it’s not the tallest zipline in the world. We’re only a few stories up, and the slope is gradual. By the looks of it, there’s a motor that pulls you across. But I’mnota fan of heights, and this is way out of my comfort zone.
“The zipline is two at a time,” someone is saying, although I’m partially blocking them out, taking in the view of the strip before me. I can see The Flamingo from here, as well as the dozens of other hotels and attractions lining the street. “Simply sit in the seat and hold on.”
There’s a bit of bustling as everyone starts talking amongst themselves. It takes me a moment to realize that everyone is choosing zipline partners. I glance around for Chloe, only to see that she’s already been snagged up by another bridesmaid. I look around at the other girls but quickly remember that we’re an odd numbered group. Great. I’ll have to go with one of the groomsmen.
I twirl around to face the guys. They’re still chatting amongst themselves, but it slowly dawns on me that someone else is in the exact same situation that I’m in.
Will.
Perfect. Not only do I have to go hurtling through the air, but I have to do it with William Summers. Iapproach and shoot him a tight-lipped smile. “I guess it’s you and me.”
