Page 21 of Georgia Guy
“They’ll forget about all of that once they see how great you are,” he says confidently. Lightening the mood, he adds, “No matter what clothes you’re wearing.”
“I know my clothes are a trivial matter, but they are one of the few things that I can control in this situation. I desperately want your sister and parents to like me, but it feels like I’m fighting an uphill battle against their preconceived notions about me,” I admit.
“Alex, your reputation may intimidate them a bit at first. But as soon as they see that you’re a real person, who has weird quirks and gross habits––just like the rest of us––they’re going to adore you.”
Pouting my lips, I ask, “What do you mean by weird and gross?”
“Hmm…” he answers as he lifts Mr. Fluffy in the air. “Do all grown women, who run international companies, need to snuggle with a stuffed animal to get to sleep at night?”
“Okay, perhaps that’s a little weird,” I admit as I snatch my soft bunny back from him.
“It’s weird, but very sweet,” he murmurs near my ear.
My eyes fall shut at his soft-spoken words, until I remember the rest and say, “But sleeping with a stuffy isn’t gross.”
“No, but your shower wall, hair art is,” he fires back.
“You don’t like the little, hairy hearts I leave for you?” I ask, pretending to be hurt.
“Oh, they’re lovely, and I enjoy finding them,” he assures me. “But other people might see that as a bit gross.”
“Perhaps we shouldn’t mention Mr. Fluffy or my hair artistry to your family,” I suggest, worried that they might think I’m a raving lunatic.
“But that’s just it, Alex. Those oddball quirks are part of what make you so amazing. I love you even more because of those peculiarities that help make you so unique.”
Lifting my palm to cup one of his scruffy cheeks, I say, “Wow, I never imagined that being called weird and gross could be so heartwarming. You really know how to romance a lady.”
“And you know how to win over a man. Speaking of that, is there any way you could have all of the bogus criminal charges against me dropped, so that I don’t end up back in jail?” he asks.
“Brinkley is already taking care of it,” I promise him.
With that settled, he kisses me deeply. Instantly, my concerns about his family’s opinions of me and our complicated history together sail away as Joe and I become lost in each other.
* * *
Sea Dreams,the classy megayacht that Joe’s sister’s boyfriend, Dane Wilder, chartered for their family during our Hawaii trip, is beyond impressive. Although I had never met the notorious billionaire in-person before, we travel in the same influential circles and know many of the same people.
Dane and I chat amiably as we sip champagne and wait for our bags to be brought on board the ship.
When I realize that Joe’s family has gone silent, it dawns on me how rude it is of us to effectively exclude them from the conversation by talking about socialites and business moguls, whom they don’t know.
Giving his parents and sister, Emmy, a shy smile, I say, “Sorry about chattering on like that with Dane. I doubt if you guys care to hear about Buffy Collinsworth’s personal chef drama.”
Joe gives my shoulder a reassuring squeeze, and Emmy says, “Oh, don’t give it another thought. Dane is the biggest gossip queen I know. He’s having the time of his life dishing with you.”
“I’m not a gossip queen.” The billionaire pretends to pout before brightening and saying, “I’m a gossip king!”
We all laugh at the surprisingly down-to-earth man. Even Danielle, the quiet teenager they brought with them, chuckles. Dane and Emmy seem to have unofficially adopted the wide-eyed girl and her adorable baby, Natalie. The four of them haven’t known each other long, but they already seem like a cohesive family unit. Apparently, time isn’t a factor when it comes to loving the people you are meant to be with.
The boat’s captain explains that our chief stewardess has a migraine, but he assures us that the other two stews, Demi and Tori, will make sure we have a wonderful trip.
Demi steps forward and offers to take us on a tour of the massive ship. When we reach the plush primary suite, the pretty stew says to Dane, “As the primary charter guests, I assume that you and Emmy will be staying in this room.”
He surprises us all by saying to Emmy and Joe’s parents, “We would love it if the two of you would take the big suite.”
Mrs. Scott pats her chest dramatically as she looks around the luxurious room and oversized en suite bathroom with the huge sunken bathtub. “Oh, my… Really?”
“Absolutely,” Dane answers. “The love of my life wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the two of you, and for that, I am eternally grateful.”
