Page 433 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 11
My family was waiting by the front door for us.
“Everything good?” I asked Liam.
“Yup,” was all he offered.
I hoped that yup meant Henley the Jealous Lock Picker was on his way and his bowels were already empty. Because no one was leaving a dump on Axel’s pillow.
***
“Finally,” Sophie said as she opened the door to Axel’s apartment.
Axel frowned. “What are you doing here so early?”
“Helping out your parents with prep of course. Hi, everyone. Welcome, welcome.” Sophie gestured for my family to come in.
“That’s so nice of you, Sophie,” my mom said. She gave Soph a quick hug.
“I heard you and Axel might be an item soon,” my dad said and patted Soph’s shoulder.
Dad!!That wasn’t at all what Axel had said. He’d said they were going to homecoming as friends.
Sophie laughed. “Ew, Uncle James. Axel is basically my cousin. That would be disgusting.”
I stared at her.
“For me,” she quickly added for my benefit.
“The feeling is mutual,” Axel said. It didn’t seem like he’d caught on to the fact that she was referring to me and him. Not Soph and him.
“Anyway,” Sophie said. “Refreshments are in the kitchen. And snacks are coming out soon.”
My parents walked into the kitchen as Sophie peered out into the hallway.
She turned to me as she closed the door. “Weren’t you expecting one more...guest?”
Don’t look at me.I didn’t know where the heck Henley was. I glanced at Liam.
“Yeah, I invited a friend,” Liam said. “Hope that’s okay.”
Axel just shrugged. “Cool. I’m gonna go change.”
Wait?! No!He could not under any circumstances go into his room. “Want some company?” I asked.
He laughed. “Trying to getmeto flashyounow, Scarlett?”
Well, I could see how he might think that. Based on all the words I’d just said. I knew my face was turning red.
“I don’t think the boyfriend would like that very much. I’ll be right back.”
Sophie caught his arm before he could walk past her. “Wait, Axel. Homecoming emergency. We need to talk colors.”
“Just give me a second to change.”
“What do you not understand about the word emergency?” She pulled him into the family room.
I made sure everyone was out of earshot before turning back to Liam. “When is Henley getting here?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. But he said he was coming.”
