Page 39 of The Billionaire Is Back

“What do you think you’re doing?” Claire asks me, her arms crossed in front of her chest. As usual.

“Making a deal.”

“Here’s the deal, Grady.” She faces me, planting her feet and squaring her shoulders. “I don’t know how to make this any clearer—I don’t need or want your help.”

Well, that’s cute.

I was gentle before. I went easy on her because I was unsure of how or if I should help her. But I know she needs me. She just won’t admit it. And now I know I canhelp her get something that she willingly admits to wanting. You don’t get to be as good as I am in business without having a little wolf in you.

“Too bad, Little Sweeney. You need my help. And I want to give it to you,” I growl.

The growl surprises both of us, and neither of us know what to do with it.

But Claire is a tough cookie. Her brow furrows. Her jaw sets. Her eyes narrow.

It’s hot as fuck.

But she isn’t any closer to relenting.

I look over at Damien and Vera. They’re both holding their contestants over their lanes, giving them pep talks as they’re about to lower them into the water. I quickly assess my brother’s body language. He doesn’t look happy or confident.

“Tell you what,” I say to Claire. “Let’s leave it up to fate. If Crustaceous Clay wins this practice race, I’ll still give the speech at the Shellibration, but I’ll leave you and your bakery alone. You won’t hear from me for the rest of my time here. But if Clawdia Swiffter wins, you will let me help your business.”

Claire’s brow softens slightly, but her eyes remain narrowed and her jaw is still tight. “Damien. How fast is Crustaceous Clay?” she asks without taking her eyes off of mine.

“The fastest ever,” he replies without hesitation.

“You’re on, Grody Borber,” she says quietly. “Get ready for some BigDEnergy.DforDefeated.”

Sassypants.

“Three, two, one, go!” Claire yells out.

Damien and Vera release their lobsters, and Claire and I get up closer to the track.

Claire joins Damien in cheering on Crustaceous.

Honestly, the whole thing takes a really long time.

Lobsters are not fast.

They’re sort of swimming forward, but this is just the slowest fucking race I have ever seen. Still, my heart is pounding in my chest and it feels like there’s a lot on the line here. I don’t have too much to worry about, though. Clawdia easily beats Crustaceous. My brother is too proud to let on that he’s crushed by defeat, but I see it. Vera sees it too and places a reassuring arm around his shoulder. Which is unexpected.

But the strangest reaction of all is Claire’s. She just lost the bet. She has to let me help her. And I don’t find any trace of disappointment on her pretty face.

Chapter 11

No S’More Mr. Nice Guy

Claire

I stand at the dock,arms crossed, watching Grady rig his family’s sailboat. I tried to help him because I do know my way around a boat, but he insists I stay on the dock and let him do it. The sailboat is calledHigh & Tight.Because Barber. Which is cute. Grady bought it for his parents for Christmas a few years ago. Which is also cute.

Know what isn’t cute? Since I lost the lobster bet, Grady Barberorderedme to meet him here at 5:30 sharp. I’m a little annoyed about losing—and very annoyed that he is now ordering me to do things. My traitorous lady parts, however, were just delighted. They tried telling him that if he would like to continue doing that, they would enthusiastically support it. I told my lady parts to shut it.

This is why I’m keeping my arms crossed over my chest.

Forever.

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