Page 352 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 1
"James' parents' place was really nice," he said. He adjusted himself on the couch so that his back was against the armrest and his feet were resting next to my legs.
"Yeah, I think that was the first and last time I'll ever be invited there."
"I was kind of wondering about that. Was James' ex wife really there? Isabella, right?"
"Yeah."
"Kind of strange to invite their son's ex to celebrate his new relationship."
"They were trying to scare me away. And when that didn't work they tried to pay me off."
"Seriously?" Tyler laughed. "What dicks."
I laughed. "Couldn't have said it better myself."
"And the black eye happened sometime between that night and today. I would have remembered seeing it at the party."
I knew better than to think Tyler would drop it. And it wasn't like Zach prying. Tyler cared about me. "Actually, it was Isabella. She decided to confront me after his parents' bribe, and I was upset and I called her a bitch. So she slapped me."
Tyler laughed.
"It's not funny." I pushed on his foot and he playfully kicked my thigh back.
"It's kind of funny. James sure comes with a lot of baggage."
"Well, he's tossed it all away. His parents aren't even invited to the wedding anymore."
"He's okay with that?"
"I think it's what he wanted the whole time. I was just too stubborn to see it." I bit the inside of my lip. "It was stupid, I just really wanted them to like me."
"That's not too much to ask from your future in laws."
"Apparently in this case it was."
"Are you sure you're okay?" His eyes had gravitated back to my cheek.
"Honestly the clothes I'm in are more uncomfortable than the super small bruise on my face." I moved my legs again, trying to get comfortable on the couch.
He laughed. "I already put a pair of sweats for you in the bathroom. I was wondering when you'd start complaining."
"You know me so well. I'll be right back." I got up and went to the bathroom. Sure enough, there was a pair of sweatpants and one of his University of New Castle t-shirts folded on the shelf. I quickly changed. I loved Tyler's sweatpants. They were big and comfortable. And no matter what I was wearing when I came over, I usually found something to complain about so that I'd get to change into a pair. Eating popcorn in sweats while watching Shark Tank was more accurately our thing.
It was nice to know that just because he was with Melissa now, we could still hang out like this. I made my way back out into the living room. "When is Melissa usually done work?" She had found a summer internship at a law firm nearby. In the fall she'd be going to law school. She was still waiting to hear back from where, but I was hoping it would be in the city.
"She'll be here any minute."
I wasn't sure if it was better to ask him about it now, or wait until they were together. I just wanted to get it over with. "Are you and Melissa dating?" I blurted out, before I could change my mind.
He choked on his sip of beer. "No." He cleared his throat. "I mean, why would you ask that?"
"James thought he saw something going on between you two."
"And that bothered you?" He didn't deny it this time. He wanted to know how I felt about it. That probably meant it was true.
I laughed. "No. I just...I want you both to be happy. You know that."
He didn't say anything, he just took another sip of his beer.
