Page 28 of The Billionaire Is Back

That’s been the only thing different about hanging out with him tonight—the fact that my mind never strays too far from thoughts of his little sister. It was never a big problem before. It is a big problem now. Especially as I chew on her impossibly delicious freshly baked sugar cookies.

But seeing Jake is helping me get my head on straight. Because Jake is my guy. He’s reliable. Brave. Loyal. Jake Sweeney would not only risk his life pulling me from a burning building, he was also the guy who had my back in the playground, he’s the guy who’d find us vintagePlayboymagazines when we were twelve and the internet controls were firmly in place. He’s the guy. My best friend. Still. Even after all these years of me not keeping in touch with him. Which means, at the very least, that I owe it to him not to think about railing his little sister. Or dating her like a gentleman, even. I owe it to him not to have any thoughts I can’t follow through on—because I can’t be here to be the man she deserves. I will always be too busy and too far away.

I pretend I have to finish swallowing the cookie before responding. “Oh yeah?” It takes every ounce of myself-control and skill at negotiating not to give anything away with those two words. Do not give away thatOh yeah?isOh yeah, did she say how awesome I am and that the hard time she was giving me was just a cover for how attracted she is to me?OrOh yeah, are you figuring out that I’m really into your little sister and you’re going to beat my ass for thinking about her muffin today?

“Yeah,” he says. “What did you think?”

I clear my throat. “Uhhh…”

“Of the bakery?”

“Ahhh.” I finish the rest of the cookie and get my shit together. I’m still acting like a horny teenager. This is exactly what I need. Jake Sweeney, paragon of Beacon Harbor. A guy who risks his life to fight fires. My best friend. I’m going to betray him by thinking dirty thoughts about his sister’s hips and lips and eyes and tits…?

No. Enough. I’m only here for a little while and then I’m going back to New York, and she’ll be here and I’ll be there, and that’s that.

And if I have to—and I think I might have to—I can dream about her from there.

Where it’s safe.

“Place looks great. I thought she did an excellent job refreshing it.”

Jake bobs his head, clearly pleased with that. “That’s good to hear. If that has your seal of approval… You know how to make money. I don’t know why she can’t.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Business not good?”

“I don’t know the exact numbers. Probably wouldn’t matter if I did—I don’t understand business like you. But I know she’s tired and stressed all the time. She had to sellher car and buy a shitbox. She’s back home with our parents again. Just doesn’t seem to be moving in the right direction.”

“Really?” That’s all I can think to say. The store does look great. But I suppose that’s why Claire’s energy was off? I thought maybe it was seeing me. Of course it wasn’t seeing me. That’s ridiculous. If her business wasn’t doing well and she had to stay open late so some asshole could pick up his own welcome-home cake, I suppose that would make anyone stressed out.

Jake clears his throat but doesn’t look at me, keeping his gaze on the fire. “I was wondering if maybe…”

I lean in as he hems and haws. “Does she need money?”

He shifts around in the chair. “No. No, nothing like that. Well, probably, but I would never ask you for that. She wouldn’t either.”

“I know, but whatever you guys need…you know that right?”

He looks me straight in the eye. “I know that. But she wouldn’t take it.”

“Jake, just tell me how I can help.”

He sighs and scratches the back of his head. “I don’t know. I don’t know how you can help. It’s just like I said—I don’t know anything about business. But maybe you can take a look at what she’s doing. Maybe you can talk to her? I don’t know. Give her some advice?”

“I’m not sure if she’ll take that any more than she would take a check from me.”

Jake laughs and shakes his head. “You’re right about that. Stubborn little turd. But as a favor to me, could youtry? I’m a little worried she’s drowning, and I can’t help her with this one. I think you can.”

I chug the rest of my beer.

Jake is supposed to be my out. He’s fiercely protective of his little sister. He would not be happy if he knew what I’d really like to say to her. And now he’s asking me to go to her and help her. I look at him. He’s staring into the fire pit, and what I see in his face is sadness. Which is not something I’m used to seeing on that face because Jake Sweeney is one of the happiest guys I’ve ever known. He’s really worried about her. This is him protecting his little sister. He wants her business to succeed, and he has a friend who knows how to succeed in business.

How can I say no to that?

“Yeah, of course, man. I’ll see what I can do.”

Jake’s smile is wide. “Thanks, brotha. I knew I could count on you.”

I smile too. It’s a more hesitant smile than Jake’s, but it feels good to make him happy.

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