Page 18 of The Billionaire's Most Unexpected Triplets

Jack and I are not a possibility. He’s this big billionaire who puts money first, and I’m the creator of a startup who cares about how the product enhances people’s lives. We could never work out.

“The couple across the street have a nice grandson,” Grandpa says. “I have a picture of him right here.”

He pulls out his glasses and puts them on before proceeding to scroll through his phone. “Here we go.”

He turns the phone around and shows me a shot of a man taking the garbage out. It appears to have been taken both from across the street and through a window.

“Grandpa.” I stare at the photo, in which you can barely see the guy’s face. “Are you taking pictures of people without their permission?”

He chuckles. “Of course not. I asked him if I could take a picture of him for my wife to see. She’s always interested in meeting new people.” He winks at Grandma, who smiles back at him.

“Very funny,” I say with a laugh.

I can count on my grandparents to cheer me up, no matter what’s going on in life. It’s the main reason I decided to come see them at the last minute.

The flight was expensive. Really expensive.

But it was also worth it. This whole week has thrown me off, first from Leadsom Inc. hounding me about selling, then to dinner with Jack, then to spending the night with Jack.

Honestly, I’m not even fully sure what’s going on with me right now. I feel so off balance, so out of it. It’s a good thing that I’m with my grandparents because staying in Olympus City this weekend would have felt unnaturally… empty.

“I can introduce you,” my grandpa says. “He’s a carpenter.”

I smile. “Thanks, Grandpa, but I don’t think a long-distance relationship is for me.”

He nods. “All right, but let me know if you change your mind.”

“How is pickleball?” I ask, desperate to change the conversation. “Are you still playing it?”

Grandpa’s face lights up. “Of course! It’s the highlight of my week. Your grandma and I even won the doubles tournament at the community center last month.”

“That’s amazing,” I say, genuinely impressed. “Maybe I should come play with you guys next time I’m in town.”

“Absolutely.” Grandma pats my hand. “We’ll teach you how to play.”

As we chat about hobbies and family news, I feel my stress levels slowly dissipating. Being around my grandparents always has a calming effect on me, and I’m grateful for this moment of respite from my chaotic life. They’re the only family I have, and in times of need, I cling to them like they’re a lifeboat.

But as the evening wears on and I head to bed in their small guest room, my thoughts keep drifting back to Jack. It’s like I can’t shake him off, no matter how hard I try.

I pull out my phone and stare at his contact, tempted to text him. But what would I even say? “Hey, I’m away visiting my grandparents and can’t stop thinking about you?” That sounds desperate, and that’s not me. At least… I don’t want to come across that way.

But as I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, I realize that maybe I am desperate. Desperate for some kind of connection, desperate for someone to make me feel less alone.

I don’t regret giving most of my energy to my career, but I’m starting to wish I had saved a little bit for other things. Like a relationship.

Sighing, I roll onto my side and stare at the dark window. Maybe I was too quick to dismiss things with Jack. He never said he was only interested in a hookup.

Was leaving his house before dawn the right thing to do?

Chewing on my lip, I close my eyes. It’s decided. I’ll send him a text sometime this week, just to let him know that I’m interested.

From there, the ball will be in his court. He can take it or leave it, and at least I’ll know where he’s at.

And then I can embrace whatever happens between us… or I can move on.

Deep down, I already know that I don’t want to move on. Jack woke something in me, and I don’t want that part to go back to sleep. I want to explore this new world with this man who makes me feel unpredictably, thrillingly alive.

I’m realistic, though. I know he might not even be interested. But that’s not stopping me.

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