Page 4 of Gifted to The Billionaires

I’ve always been able to hang out with Nik and Cal in the past. I’ve hung out with them both, even had countless sleepovers, and it’s always been okay. But that wasbeforeI knew I was finally going to put myself out there with them.

Suspending my feelings before wasn’t even hard sometimes. My appreciation for them isn’t just my infatuation. They’re amazing friends and amazing men. That isn’t changing, no matter what. But there’s an obvious shift in how comfortable I am with my feelings. They don’t feel so misplaced any longer.

So I’m doubting that I can keep my cool now. How am I supposed to resist spilling my guts about what I know? How am I supposed to stop myself from spoiling my whole plan for a conversation that could end with my heart being crushed? I have a plan, and I’m sticking to it. I owe myself one epic moment of bravery.

That said, I can’t bring myself to deny him anything.

Ivy:

Okay, that sounds fun! When do you want to come?

Nik:

Already on my way. Am I grabbing Luciano’s or Willow’s?

My stomach rumbles at the prospect of ricotta stuffed shells.

Ivy:

Luciano’s please!

Nik:

Six shells and garlic bread coming up!

I’m not surprised in the slightest that Nik knows just what I want. He’s amazing at that, practically reading my mind through the phone. Just like how I know he’ll probably get himself Chicken Parmesan. Nik and I spend more time together than I get with Cal. Not by a huge margin or anything, but out of the two, I see him the most.

Nik is the outwardly caring one. He’s a caretaker in an almost loud manner. He’s constantly checking in with me, getting me anything he thinks I might like just because he saw it out somewhere. Cal cares just as much, but he shows it in different ways. He works more so that Nik can take more time off. He pays for things, organizes so much to make our lives easier, and he’s always watching.

Cal can sense a bad day from a mile away. Hell, he can tell how I’m doing just from my texts. He does the same with Nik, and he never hesitates to put anything aside for his husband or his friends. He shows us all the time how much he values us.

Like a lightbulb flicking on, I realize that Nik won’t take long to get here if he’s already on his way. Shooting up from my couch, I rush into my little bedroom to get dressed. I don’t need to put on anything fancy but I cannot be caught in this ratty old t-shirt and boy shorts.Shit! I also need to wash my hair!

The world around me blurs as I race into the shower, washing with my vanilla honey body scrub and tackling my hair as fast as humanly possible. With my freshly conditioned hair wrapped into a towel, I dry the rest of my body and sprint into my small walk-in closet. I put on a matching set without even blinking. Will Nik see my bra or my panties tonight? Of course not, but one can never be too prepared.

Pulling black leggings up and over my red silk panties and tugging a loose Christmas cropped top over my head, I already feel more relaxed. I slip into a pair of warm socks and jog back into the bathroom to dry my hair and blink on some black mascara.

My hair ends up completely dry and sort of wavy as I roll on a bit of sugar cookie chapstick. I assess myself one last time in the mirror before my doorbell chimes and makes me jump in surprise.

Nik is letting himself inside, carrying a takeout bag when I get to the front room. My breath catches in my throat with one look at him. His cheeks are rosy from the winter air outside, and his hair is playfully messy from his wool hat as he hangs it up. Those sparkling blue eyes meet mine and he gives me the most stunning pearly white smile.

“Cold out?” I greet and instantly want to smack my forehead. Cold out?Really, Ivy?

He makes a show of looking over my shoulder in the direction of my apartment window, noting the snow falling outside. Nik chuckles and shrugs off his coat while balancing the bag in either hand. “Yeah, pchelka, it’s a bit chilly tonight. Haven’t been out today?”

He toes off his shoes and starts to come in further. Towardme.

“Nope,” I squeak, backing up to lead him into the living room.

Gouda wakes up from her nap to find her favorite person and she isn’t afraid to show it. She leaps from her cat tree and trots right over to us, twirling herself between Nik’s legs for pets. He chuckles at her and sets the bag down to appease her with gentle strokes of her white fur.

“Have you missed me, Koshka?”

She purrs in response, lifting her chin for more scratches.

“I have only been gone for two days, little thing,” he tells her.

“You could be gone for an hour and she’d still miss you.” I snort, shaking my head at the little traitor. “Want to eat out of the containers or do you want a plate?”

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