Page 46 of How to Fall for the Secret Billionaire
Then Clara lets out a dramatic sob. Imani claps once and wipes her eyes. Amee whispers something like “dang” under her breath.
And Margot… Margot presses her lips together, blinking fast.
As for me, I wonder—suddenly, foolishly—if that kind of love might ever happen again.
If maybe, someday, it could happen to me.
Not like I’ve ever given love a chance. But now, tonight, more than ever, I feel ready.
Mrs. Honeysett sniffles and shakes her head fondly. “After all these years, you still make me feel like I’m twenty.”
“And you still make me feel like the luckiest man in the world,” Mr. Honeysett says softly.
Then he leans in and kisses her.
A full, sweet, slow kiss.
Amee throws her hands in the air. “Okay, get a room! I’m a thirty-year-old virgin who doesn’t want to see this.”
Everyone bursts into laughter, the kind that echoes and lingers. Clara is dabbing her eyes with a napkin, still weeping into her cup.
“Oh, for goodness’ sake,” Imani mutters. “You’re worse than your youngest during Disney movies.”
Clara snorts, then shoves her. “Shut up. You’re just jealous I have a heart.”
“You wish,” Imani shoots back with a smirk.
It sets off another round of laughter as music filters back in and someone starts humming. The clatter of cups, chairs being dragged, and more cake being served blend into the cozy chaos of the evening.
Sam waves me over from where he’s sitting with Aunt Edie, Jo, and Margot. I slide into the empty seat between him and Jo. The cushion squeaks beneath me, and Waffles immediately curls up at my feet.
“Enjoying the madness?” Sam asks, handing me a second slice of something dangerously sweet and topped with what looks like roasted pecans.
“I’m beginning to think this place runs on sugar and gossip.”
“Don’t forget tea,” Jo adds.
“And nosey neighbors,” Aunt Edie says, not even pretending she’s joking.
I glance toward Margot. She’s quiet, sipping her tea, eyes cast toward the fire. She hasn’t looked at me since I sat down. But I know she’s listening.
And maybe—just maybe—she’s enjoying that I’m sitting here too. Who knows?
I lean back and let the warmth of the fire, the laughter, and the subtle pull of her presence settle around me like a blanket.
Aunt Edie leans in toward Margot, her teacup raised halfway to her mouth. “So, when do we give the Honeysetts their bouquet surprise?”
Margot groans. “As soon as I can feel my legs again. I can’t remember the last time I sat down like this.”
We all laugh.
She leans back with a contented sigh, her eyes half-lidded from warmth and tea. She looks relaxed—softened. Almost as if this is a version of her that she only lets out when she feels safe.
Jo nudges my arm gently. “Cal, why don’t you come over to the house for breakfast tomorrow? I’ll be making something special.”
I’m still smiling when I open my mouth to reply, touched by how easily I’ve been folded into their world. But before I can say anything?—
“What?” Margot’s head jerks toward her mom. “Mom, no. Cal is just a guest. That’s… that’s inappropriate.”
