Page 2 of Falling for the Wrong Billionaire
"First time in Ocean Bay?" I ask, trying to keep things casual.
"Yeah. Just came here today actually," she says, looking around like she’s trying to find another ferret.
The way she says it, so… reserved, makes me pause. It’s clear she’s not in a rush to be noticed, not the type to settle into small-town gossip.
"You’ve got a lot of, uh, energy in those two," I nod toward the ferrets, which are now scrambling in opposite directions. I catch a glimpse of her cheeks turning a soft pink as she watches them.
"They have more energy than I know what to do with," she says, looking almost apologetic again, like she’s somehow responsible for their chaos.
I can’t help but smile. There’s something endearing about her, something that feels… familiar. I’ve been around a lot of people in my life, mostly business types, people with agendas, motives, and power. But Lucy? She’s not like that. She’s just… herself.
And for some reason, that unsettles me. I don’t do unsettled.
"Well, if you need any help wrangling them, I’m good with chaos," I say with a half-joking grin, trying to lighten the mood.She looks at me, and for a moment, I swear I see something flicker in her eyes, but it’s gone before I can name it.
"Thanks, but I think I’ve got it covered. Thank you once again but I've got to go." she replies, her voice barely above a whisper. There’s that subtle distance again.
I take a step back, nodding, fighting the urge to convince her to stay a bit longer maybe for a drink.
"Alright, well, good luck with them. If you ever need anything, I’m around." I throw out the offer without thinking, before turning to head off again. I can’t help but look over my shoulder one last time, catching Lucy as she works to untangle one of the ferret's leashes from a bench.
The feeling I get from her is strange. She’s not part of the usual scene around here. Most of the women in Ocean Bay have either grown up here or are visiting on vacation, but Lucy? She stands out in a way I can’t quite put my finger on.
***
I kick back in the chair, fingers loosely wrapped around the glass of whiskey, but I’m not really thinking about the drink. Not really thinking about anything except her.
Lucy Whittier.
Her face flashes in my mind again, and I curse under my breath. No woman has done this to me in… well, I can’t even remember. I’ve always been the guy who doesn't let his head get tangled up in thoughts about one person, let alone a woman. I’ve dated my share of them, the fun ones, the no nonsense ones, the ones that wanted something more but I didn’t.
And then there’s Lucy.
It’s been hours since I last saw her, but she’s still there, stuck in my head like a song I can’t get out of my head. Her shy smile. The way she glanced up at me when I grabbed her ferret.That moment where she didn’t know whether to thank me or apologize, her voice soft and almost hesitant.
Is she in town for long? I couldn’t help but wonder.
No woman has ever tugged at me like this. I don’t know why, but there’s something different about her. It’s not just the quiet way she carries herself, or how she seems to retreat inward, almost as if she’s trying to escape attention. No, it’s more than that. I want to know more. I want to see her again, talk to her, understand what’s behind that guarded exterior.
But that’s the thing, isn’t it? I don’t do guarded. Never have. I don’t chase anything, especially when I know it’s likely to get complicated. Still, the thought nags at me.
The door to the bar swings open and the sounds of laughter pull me out of my thoughts. I glance up to see Bryan and Nate strolling in, looking like they’ve just stepped out of a corporate meeting. They’re both married, both settled down, while I… well, I’m still the same old Liam.
"Look who’s here," Bryan says, spotting me immediately. "Still nursing that drink alone, huh? What's the matter? No pretty woman to talk to?"
I roll my eyes. “I'm not in the mood tonight, Bryan. You know I don’t do the whole ‘forced conversation’ thing.”
Nate grins and pulls up a chair, sitting next to me. "Yeah, we can tell. You’ve got that brooding, lone-wolf vibe down to an art form."
"Sometimes you guys are a pain" I mutter, leaning back in my chair and taking a sip. It’s a half-joke, but it’s true. I’m not exactly the easiest guy to deal with in my downtime.
"Come on," Nate teases. "You know we’re just looking out for you. You’re the last one in the group without a woman in your life. Look at Bryan and me. Family. We’re both happy, man. You don’t have to be alone all the time."
Bryan nods, his smile softening as he adds, "We’re not saying you need to settle down tomorrow, but maybe it’s time to think about it. You can’t just work yourself into the ground and pretend that’s all there is to life."
I snort. "I'm not 'pretending,' Bryan. I’m just fine."
But I’m not fine. And they know it. I can feel the weight of their gazes on me. They’ve seen it too, that hollow look, the one I can’t quite hide anymore, not even behind a smirk or a joke.
