Page 19 of The Bossy Billionaire's Last Valentine

Kayley tilts her head and gives me an amused smile. “I beg your pardon. I didn’tforcethem to do anything. They could have found a solution to the lack of separate beds that didn’t result in making a baby. Like you said, they’re adults. But they obviously wanted to sheet dive together.” She bobs a shoulder. “I simply provided an opportunity for them to face their feelings.”

She could have been a lawyer.

“It’s still meddling,” I insist. “You can’t deny it.”

“Helping.”

“Meddling.”

“Helping.” She laughs again. “I guess we can agree to disagree.”

Amused, I say, “Like with our property debacle?”

“That’s different.” She swirls the last of the wine in her glass. “We don’t have to disagree. You could just withdraw your offer.” She says it sweetly, like I’m giving up the last pancake at breakfast instead of a multimillion-dollar plan that will impact the community by providing jobs and recreational opportunities to locals.

My drink arrives and I sip it. “Give me one reason why I should concede. Your best argument, and then I’ll give you mine.”

“You go first,” she says.

“Everyone in Jingle Bell Junction benefits from my plan. It impacts thousands in the region. What’s your reason?”

“My expansion can only happen with the acquisition of Shinglepuss’s property,” she counters. “Your plan can happen on any mountain.”

It’s a compelling argument. One I’m going to mull over for the next few days while waiting to hear from the lawyer. I’m not an unreasonable man, and I like Kayley. I respect what she wants to achieve with her business.

I also want nothing more than access to her naked body again in a few hours, so it’s time to shelve this issue.

“I hear you,” I say.

Kayley watches me. “That’s all you’re going to say?” She stabs a carrot with her fork.

I nod. “You’re right. It’s best if we table this discussion for now, until we see what Chase is able to unravel from the paperwork.” I raise my glass. “My apologies for turning dinner into a business meeting.”

Kayley picks up her own glass and taps it against my martini. “Apology accepted. Now tell me more about yourself, Bran. What was it like growing up in the Ratcliffe mansion here in the Junction? The house is beautiful, obviously, but I’ve heard rumors it’s haunted. Have you ever seen a ghost child wandering the halls looking for his red wagon?”

Relieved she’s not annoyed with me, I grin. “No. As far as I know, those are just rumors. The only thing that ever haunted me there was the knowledge that I couldn’t stay with grandpa and his staff forever.”

Her gaze softens. “Your dad was kind of a mess, huh? That’s also a rumor, but maybe…a true one?”

I nod. “Yeah, he was. But my grandfather was kind, generous, and loving, so we always had fun whenever we were up here visiting. He’d be so thrilled that Luke is married and Elliot’s going to be a father.”

“And you’ll be Uncle Bran.”

The label makes my chest swell. “Yeah. Wow, I knew that intellectually, but hearing it out loud is pretty damn exciting. I’m going to be an uncle. Awesome, right?”

Her lips curve. “Very awesome. Nancy has wanted a baby for so long. I’m thrilled for her, for both of them.”

“How long have you been friends with Nancy?”

“Since I moved here years and years ago. I walked into Kathy’s Kountry Store and I instantly knew I had to carry some of their products in my resort. So, I set up a meeting with Nancy. The minute we met, we clicked. We were both single workaholics who were addicted to maple syrup and antique stores.”

“A friend match made in heaven?”

Her smile blossoms but fades just as quickly. “Yeah. We’ve been on the same path for years, but now here she is, having a baby, engaged to her best friend. It makes me feel like I’m falling behind a little.”

“I get that feeling. I always thought I’d be the first one of my siblings to get married and start a family,” I muse. “Life doesn’t always go according to plan, I guess.”

Kayley nods sympathetically. “Tell me about it. My family loves love. My parents have been together since their early teens, and my brother and sister have both been hitched forever. I’m on the only Valentine who’s still single. Ironic, huh?”

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