Page 244 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 2
“Bwahaha!” he said again.
“Justin, it’s only September. If you’re planning something Halloween related, it’s a little too early for that. Save it for the Caldwell Halloween party.”
He squealed. “Did you just invite me to the annual Caldwell Halloween party? It’s the talk of the town that they’re bringing it back. I’m so excited!” He screamed at the top of his lungs and I winced.
I hadn’t technically invited him. But…what could I say now? “I’m sure I can get you an invite.”
“I knew I loved you.” He gave me a big kiss on the cheek. “You smell a million times better by the way. Almost as good as me in your husband’s clothes. What cologne does he wear?” He lifted up a zip-up hoodie that I hadn’t seen him take from James’ closet and gave it a big sniff. He sighed.
“Justin, you can’t have that.”
He looked up from his sniffing. “What? This ratty thing?”
“It’s…you can’t have that one.” James had worn it that night when he’d driven me home from my terrible date with Austin. The night it had started pouring. The first night he had kissed me.
“I know, it belongs in the trash. That’s why I took it. I figured it was going there soon anyway.”
“It’s not trash.” I grabbed it out of his hands. He was right. James’ cologne wafted off of the fabric, making me feel dizzy. It was like I was transported back to that night. “It’s my favorite.”
“If you say so. You can have it back as long as I can keep everything else.” He gave me a smile that showed me he knew exactly what he had done. Stolen a sentimental hoodie for negotiation purposes.
Didn’t he know I was a terrible negotiator? I would have let him keep all the stuff anyway. “Yeah, of course. Those clothes are yours now.” I pulled the hoodie to my chest. But this was mine. I couldn’t imagine it ever being thrown away.
“So…back to the Caldwell Halloween party. Is it clothing optional?” he asked.
I laughed. “I think it’s costume required.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
Doesn’t it though?
“You guys…this really feels like we just entered a horror film,” Daphne said as she stared out the window.
“Don’t worry, ladies. Destination #3 isn’t Halloween themed. It’s sex themed.”
“Oh, are the stripper kidnappers coming back?” Kristen asked.
“No. I already utilized my stripper budget.”
Kristen laughed. “Oh, you’re serious?” Her face fell. “But what is a bachelorette party without strippers?”
“Sounds fine to me,” Daphne said. “That would have been super awkward to tell Rob about tomorrow morning. Wait…do you think there were strippers at his bachelor party?” She turned to me. “Did James say anything about strippers?”
I held up my hands. “James didn’t plan it. Justin did.”
“What?”
Justin’s saucy smile was back.
“Are there strippers at his?” she asked him.
“What happens at a bachelor party stays at a bachelor party. Look, we’re here!” He pointed out the window.
Our limo had just stopped outside a very rundown warehouse. Just looking at it made me shiver.
“Yeah…I’m not going in there,” I said. “That has tetanus written all over it. And I’m not sure if it’s safe to get a shot while I’m pregnant.”
“Me too,” Daphne said. She immediately shook her head. “Not about the pregnancy thing of course. I’m not pregnant. I just meant…I don’t want tetanus either. And that place looks rusty AF.”
