Page 23 of Beauty and her Billionaire Beast
“I’m used to it being a full weekend,” Isay.
“Did I mention that Isabelle will be there too?” he asks, and seems to pause, waiting for a reaction or objection from me that I don’tprovide.
“Nice.”
“Yes, it is. She’s a lovelygirl.”
I can see where he’s going with this, but I’m not taking the bait. What’s ironic is I’ll enjoy having Isabelle around for an entire weekend. Although we haven’t seen each other since dinner that night, we’ve exchanged a couple of text messages. But I’m not about to hand over any hints to Pops about Isabelle’s and my friendship. That’s poking the bear. No doubt, if he ever finds out that wehad a drunken sex session and messed around a little during that dinner, he’s bound to put the whole marriage plan back on the table. And I’m not ready to fight him on it, but if I have to, Iwill.
“You’ll take the time to get to know her…better.” His statement is laced with so much suggestiveness that I wonder if he’s listening tohimself.
“Careful, Pops. You’re starting to soundlike apimp.”
“I’m justsaying—”
“I heard you loud and clear. You want me to make a move on that girl…while we’re in theHamptons.”
“Would that be sobad?”
“That’s not creepy at all…Jesus H.Christ.”
“Well, wouldit?”
“Do you want to chaperone while we’re at it?” I ask with sarcasm. “Look, I get it, all right? You don’t want me to be alone. But at therate you’re going, if you keep laying it on so strong…All I’m saying is if you push this hard with Isabelle or any woman at all, they’ll run.Far.”
“All right, I’ll tone it down with the whole pimping you out.” Pops laughs at his own statement. “Just give it a chance. Give her achance.”
“Are you saying that if I spend the weekend getting to know Isabelle Harrison, you’ll drop thewhole marriageidea?”
“Yes.”
“Just like that?” I ask, skeptical. “One minute you want me to settle down and find some woman to spend the rest of my life with, the next minute one weekend with some girl from my childhood is enough? That seems like a big change ofheart.”
“Well, like I said.” He shrugs, not bothered by my questions at all. “You’re doing well at the company,and that was one of my biggest concerns. But I also don’t want you to be lonely. My choice is for you to have something more than friendship with Isabelle, but if you at least have that, I’ll be allright.”
“I do have friends, you know. I’ve got Foster and theguys.
Pops scoffs. “That kid has done you no favors through the years. He’s from good stock, but he couldn’t survive oneday in the real world.” I can’t disagree with that. “Are youhungry?”
I empty my whiskey glass and get to my feet. “Sure. I’lleat.”
As I follow him into the dining room I have to admit to myself that we’re on much better footing than we were a few weeks or months ago. He’s gotten it out of his mind that he needs to see me drag some unsuspecting socialite down the aisle just so hecan feel more at ease about myfuture.
He wants me to hook up with Isabelle but will be satisfied if we’re back to being friends. I guess it could be worse. Of course, our house in the Hamptons is a big, big place. She can end up spending the entire weekend avoiding me, but that won’t be onme.
