Page 7 of Falling for the Wrong Billionaire
But it’s harder to ignore these days. Especially when my mind keeps drifting back to Lucy.
I haven’t seen her in over a week now. At first, I told myself it wasn’t a big deal. She’s new in town, probably has a million things on her plate. Maybe she’s busy with work, or maybe she’s just like the rest of the tourists who breeze in and out of Ocean Bay without leaving much of an impression.
But even as I tell myself that, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m lying to myself.
Lucy’s different. I don’t know how to explain it, but when I saw her that day when I stopped in at the clinic, there was something about her that pulled me in. The way she looked at me, the quiet strength she carried with her. It wasn’t like anything I’ve ever experienced before.
I force the thought away, but it’s there, lingering, impossible to ignore.
Nate looks up from his conversation with Liz and notices me standing by the door, lost in thought. “Hey, Liam,” he says, a grin spreading across his face. “What’s going on with you, man? You look like you’re a million miles away.”
I shake my head, trying to push the thoughts aside. “Just thinking, I guess.”
“Thinking about what?” Bryan chimes in from across the room, his tone light but knowing. He’s the one who always presses me when I’m being too quiet.
I shrug, unsure if I want to tell them what’s really on my mind. But then I think about the way they’ve always had each other —and how they’ve both built lives I can’t even imagine. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to let them in a little.
“Just... wondering about some stuff,” I say, and the words feel heavy in my mouth. I know they’re all too familiar with the kind of wandering thoughts that plague me, but still, I don’t really feel like diving into it right now.
Bryan raises an eyebrow. “What, like how you’re still the last single guy standing in our group? Don’t think I haven’t noticed.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Yeah, maybe. But it’s not a big deal.”
“Sure it’s not,” Nate says with a chuckle. “You’ve been saying that for years, man. But come on. You can’t keep avoiding it forever.”
I take a deep breath, shifting my focus back to the conversation at hand. “I’m fine. Really. Just not into the whole ‘settling down’ thing, I guess.”
Bryan gives me a long look, like he’s about to say something, but before he can, Max runs up to me, holding out his favorite toy. “Boomer won’t play with me,” he says, his eyes wide and pleading. “Will you?”
I smile, the tension in my shoulders easing a little. “Of course I will, buddy. What do you want to play?”
Max grins and tosses the toy at me, clearly thrilled by the attention. Boomer follows suit, bounding over with a speed that’s almost comical for a dog his size. I take a seat on the floor, and soon I’m engaged in an impromptu game of fetch with Max and Boomer, the two of them working together like a well-oiled machine.
It’s one of those moments that feels simple, but grounding. Like this is how life is supposed to be. How it’s supposed to feel.
Bryan and Nate watch from the couch, exchanging glances, and I know they’re both thinking the same thing: I’m not quite as okay as I’m pretending to be.
But it doesn’t matter right now. Right now, all I care about is Max’s laughter and Boomer’s happy barks as he chases the ball across the floor.
Later, after Violet has been passed around and everyone has had their fill of the baby excitement, the group settles into a comfortable silence, drinks in hand and kids playing in the corner. I find myself slipping into my own thoughts again, my mind drifting back to Lucy, and the nagging question that’s been on my mind for days now.
Is she gone? Did she leave town already? It’s been over a week since I last saw her, and I haven’t heard from her since. I tell myself it doesn’t matter. That she’s probably busy. But the quiet whisper in my head refuses to quiet down.
***
I pull into the parking lot of Gracie’s Animal Haven with the intention of making this quick. I’m just here to talk to Emma about the clinic’s tech upgrade, get her input on a few gadgets I’ve been considering, and inform her of the person I'll be handing the project over to then breeze out. No reason to linger. I’ve got a busy schedule, and this isn’t something I’d normally handle myself, but I figured I might as well drop by and check in since she’s such a good friend.
The door chimes as I step inside. The soft sound fills the space, and for just a moment, I’m hit with that familiar, welcoming scent of the clinic — a mix of disinfectant and the earthy, comforting smell of animals. It’s quiet today, less chaotic than usual, which works for me.
I make my way to the reception desk, where Emma’s already sitting, typing away on her laptop. She looks up when she hears me approach, flashing that easy smile of hers.
"Hey, Liam," she says, standing up to greet me. "You’re right on time. I was just about to grab a coffee. You want one?"
I wave a hand in the air, shaking my head. “Nah, I’m good. Thanks, though.”
“Alright, let’s get to it,” she says, guiding me toward her office. “I’ve been looking over the tech details you sent. I’m curious to hear what kind of upgrades you’re thinking.”
As we walk down the hallway, I hear the faint sound of someone moving in the back, the shuffle of feet against the tiled floor. I don’t think much of it, not at first.
