Page 28 of My Best Friend's Billionaire Brother
I realize that now.
And it’s the only thing I want. The thing I want more than anything else in the world. For Josie to let me explain myself and to give me another chance.
But as soon as we reach the end of the aisle, she pulls her hand away, and she’s gone, disappearing into the crowd.
Chapter 15
Josie
I watch Chloe head off with Turner and their photographer, and I glance around as the ceremony area is swiftly being transformed into an area fit for a reception, with tables, chairs, and servers wandering around with flutes of champagne.
I try to rub my mind free of the feeling of Will’s arm under my fingers. The electricity between us, the way he’d tried desperately to make eye contact.
But I can’t talk to Will. Not now. Not today. Maybe once we’re back in Boston, once the dust has settled, once the wedding is behind us. Or maybe I just won’t ever have to see him again, and theembarrassment of being his almost-three-night stand can die away.
I grab a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and take a sip, resisting the urge to down the entire thing at once. I spot the other bridesmaids gathering near a nice view, taking selfies, and I make my way over to them. We take turns taking each other’s pictures until the newlyweds come back with their grand entrance, and we all take our seats for dinner.
I can practically feel Will’s eyes boring holes through my skull from across the table as we eat, although he’s too far away to actually speak with me.
What does he even want? He has to know I was upset about him not reaching out to me for two weeks. Or maybe he thinks that I simply wanted the same thing. That a fun hookup was all I was looking for. And this weekend was the perfect opportunity for more.
So he just wants more.
I shake my head, continuing to eat.
When the time comes for speeches, Chloe’s dad gives one, and then Will. It takes everything in me to actually look at him as he speaks. But as he goes on about his love for his sister, his love for his best friend, and how happy he is that they found each other, I feel my heart melting.
Is this really the same man who has treated me so cruelly? How does one person have such incompatible traits? I try to hide my frustration as he raises his glass and everyone toasts the happy couple.
Next comes the first dance, and soon after, Chloe is pulling me and all the other bridesmaids up onto the dance floor. When an ABBA song comes on, we’re all jumping up and down and singing our hearts out, and soon I’m able to momentarily forget the drama and just celebrate my best friend’s wedding.
After dancing for quite a while, I excuse myself to go to the bathroom, taking a deep breath and wandering back into the villa. The sun has long since set, making the trek over the cobblestones and into the building a bit tricky in heels.
I make it inside, finding the bathroom and beginning my walk back outside. But as soon as I step out into the hallway, a looming figure stands before me.
“Josie,” Will says, his voice pleading.
I stop, shocked to see him, and also a little annoyed. Can he not read the signals? I ran out of my roomcryinglast night. Is that not enough of a signal for him? I begin to brush past him, but he reaches out to grab my arm. I stare down at his hand, his fingers digging gently into my flesh.
“I’m sorry, Josie,” he says, and it’s now that I finally look up into his eyes. And in them I see … guilt? “I’m so sorry about last night. And about the last few weeks. I …”
I cock my head, surprised to hear him apologizing to me. Is this just another ploy to get me into bed? “I’m not … looking for a hookup buddy, or whatever it is you’re used to,” I say. Maybe putting it bluntly is the only way to deter him.
A look of hurt flashes across his face, but only for a split second. “I’m not looking for that either.”
I blink. “I don’t understand. You show up, act the hero, spend the night with me, and then you ghost me. For two weeks,” I snap.
He nods. “I know, and I’m sorry. It was …” He trails off, shaking his head, looking away. When he finally looks back, his eyes are pleading with mine. “I felt like I’d taken advantage of you. You’d just broken up with Owen, you were scared, you were upset, and I … I shouldn’t have done anything. I felt so awful, and I—I truly thought the best thing to do was give you space.” He takes a deep breath through his rambling. “But I was wrong. It was stupid. And then last night, it happened again and …” He reaches out to gently grasp my other arm, bringing me face to face with him. “Josie, I want tobewith you. I don’t know why it took me so long. I don’t know why it took me years when you’ve been right in front of me the whole time but … I want you. All of you.”
I stand silent, dumbfounded, as the weight of his words settles around me. “You … want to be with me?” I finally stutter.
He nods.
“But … you’ve never given me a second glance. I’ve been here. For years.”
“I know. But you were always Chloe’s best friend. I couldn’t—wouldn’trisk that. You were off limits. Honestly, I’m afraid you mightstillbe off limits …” He grimaces slightly. “Only now, I don’t think I can resist it anymore.”
My eyes are locked on his, the tension between us sparking at dangerous levels. Finally, I break the silence with, “I don’t think I can resist it either.”
