Page 77 of Christmas with the Denton Billionaires

Usually they’d watch that together whenever Jules visited. It was something they started when Jules was in college and it gave them something to bond over. Jules didn’t have many memories of her father, who’d decided he wasn’t father material while she was still in diapers. She had a vague memory of a fun day at the zoo followed by ice cream, but that could have been any one of the many boyfriends her mother had latched onto over the years. And since Jules had her mother’s surname instead of his, she couldn’t even be sure of his last name.

Over the years, she’d contemplated doing one of those DNA tests to see if she could track down her father or someone from that side of the family, but she knew it would hurt her mom, who would think that she wasn’t good enough. Still, having more family—to spend time with, to share major events with, to know that she wasn’t alone—often pressed at her thoughts when she was feeling down.

While her mother wouldn’t admit it, she felt the same. Except she sought those connections via a revolving door of rich boyfriends, intent on living the ultra-rich, ultra-luxe lifestyle. Surprisingly, none of that wealth had ever transferred over into her daily life or Jules’s upbringing. In fact, now that her mother had finally given up on the rich boyfriend life goals, her life was plainer than ever.

“I’ve sort of…found myself in a situation,” Jules began. “Something that might come as a bit of a shock.” She took a deep breath and spilled the executive summary of the story. The more she spoke, the more absurd everything sounded. Playing house with a billionaire while they watched over a child that wasn’t even theirs? Who was she kidding?

After her hurried summary of the situation, her mother tutted.

“Jules-y,” she started, disappointment already straining her voice. “I thought I told you those rich men are never good news.”

“I know, I know.”

“You’re only gonna get hurt. You alreadyarehurt,” she added.

“I have no idea what I’m doing. I’ve just been going along with what I feel is best, but…” Jules’s gaze drifted to the couch. But the truth was, Mitch was a free agent, and so was she. They’d not talked about taking things beyond Christmas and once Noelle left, would they have anything to unite them? Finding him in the bar, being caressed by that gorgeous woman while they raised shot glasses, told her everything she needed to know.

She just hadn’t expected it tohurtso much. A lightning bolt of feeling crushed, followed by a disappointment that made her limbs heavy. Still, an hour later.

And the worst part was that Jules wasn’t sure who she was more disappointed in: him, for stringing her along in this fantasy, or herself, for believing it in the first place.

“I just thought we sort of had something going,” Jules went on. “We have a connection.”

“Youthought,” her mom interjected.

“He’s a great guy,” Jules said.

“Uh huh. Sure.”

Jules sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. This was what she needed. Perspective. A hard kick to the ass to remind her that she was being foolish. And there was no one better than Mom for that.

“You know my own track record with those wealthy types,” her mom said, and through the phone Jules could hear theflick flick flickof the lighter. Her mom didn’t smoke much anymore, unless she was stressed. And clearly, this conversation was as stressful for her as it was for Jules. “They’re all the same. He might seem nice, but do you know how easy it is to seem nice when you’ve got billions tucked away? This guy can buy anything or anyone. He can create any reality he wants by throwing money around to the right people. And at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is what he wants. Don’t forget that.”

Jules ground her teeth. Her mom was right. It was easy to forget everything she’d always warned her against while bathing in luxury itself. But now she needed to figure out her next steps. Because she couldn’t stay here. She’d see the gala project through to the end so she could get paid. Afterward, she needed to get back to her own apartment. Her own life. The money she was getting paid for the gala would allow her to have some downtime before she had to find another job. Or who knows. Maybe she’d start her own event planning business. With all the people attending the gala, surely she could network her way into gaining some new clients.

“You’re right, Mom.” Jules sighed, picking at the stitching on the leather couch.

It might hurt to walk away but it would hurt even worse to get sucked into an illusion and lose years of her life, in love with someone who couldn’t return the feeling.

19

MITCH

Mitch paced the foyer of the penthouse in his formal suit, checking and re-checking his watch even though he knew what time it was.

They were on time. Hell, they were early.

But still, anxiety had him wound tight.

This was the big night. The gala, complete with the Christmas display, the events, and the announcement. Jules was still getting ready, which meant Mitch had ample time to fester in his own thoughts.

Jules had been distant ever since he’d left her upstairs with Noelle to have dinner with Sara. Thankfully, the woman had realized that he was not interested in her romantically and they’d managed to get through dinner before she took him up on his offer of a car to drop her at the club. And before he’d made it back into the hotel, he’d gotten a message indicating that she’d signed the electronic documents and the investment plans were approved, which made Mitchell Senior deliriously happy. Except for the fact that Mitch had zero personal interest in Sara.

Mitch had tried to engage Jules in conversation about anything but the gala plans, but she would stubbornly steer it back. He gave up and apologized to her repeatedly for leaving her in the lurch like that, but she never snapped out of it. He figured it was stress with the upcoming event. After all, she’d been working on it for the past week. The reason for the season, in both of their worlds, and they were about to see the results of all her hard work.

But he couldn’t deny that Jules lack of her warmth disturbed him in a major way. Mostly because he felt like he was missing something that he needed.

Which meant that he needed Jules.

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