Page 38 of The Billionaire and I

It was getting late. Cole and I made our final rounds, saying good night. We stopped to pose for a picture with Todd and Evie.

“Everybody get together and smile,” the photographer said.

When he finished, Todd turned to us. “We’d love to have you guys join us for the honeymoon,” he said. Evie stood at his side, nodding vigorously.

“We just think having you there will be more fun,” she added. “The resort we’re staying at isgorgeous.Right on the water, and it’s supposed to be the best beach in the world. Everything is five-star, and everyone’s coming. Todd’s parents, my parents, my cousins, James and Audrey…” She put her hands together, begging. “We want this to be a celebration and the trip of a lifetime. You guys will liven things up!”

Cole turned to me. “Do you want to go to the Caribbean, babe?”

I squeezed his hand so hard it probably hurt. This was what I’d been hoping for. “Are you freakin’kiddingme? Of course, I want to go to the Caribbean! White sand beaches and fruity drinks with little umbrellas in them? I live for that shit!”

“It appears we’re a yes,” Cole said, laughing. “Thank you for the invite. We’ll see you guys tomorrow. Congratulations.”

“Yay!”’ Evie said. She pulled Todd in for another hot kiss. The happy couple hadn’t been able to keep their hands off each other all night, which made me dislike her less. She’d been too preoccupied to thrust her chest out at my man. My fake date. My John. Whatever!

The photographer snapped a few more pictures. Then Cole steered me toward the exit. “You’re adorable, babe.”

“I’m a little excited. I’ve never been to an island before,” I admitted. “I hope it’s okay that I want to go.”

“Oh, it’s more than okay.” He secured his hand firmly on my ass as we headed back toward the Liberty. “I haven’t taken a vacation in a while. We’re going to have a blast.”

I nestled against him. I was tired and grateful for his big body next to mine. “I had fun tonight. Evie’s not all bad, I guess. It was nice that she invited us on their vacation.”

“Of course, she invited us. Her cousins think I’m eye candy.” Cole laughed. “Wait till they see you in a thong bikini—that’srealeye candy!”

I yawned. “I don’t think James’s mother will approve.”

“She doesn’t approve of much.”

“I know…she seems real cold. Like she has an icicle shoved up her ass. I don’t think she likes me or Audrey too much.” I wrinkled my nose. “And it doesn’t matter if she likes me, but Dre’s another story. She should give her a chance.”

“Celia Preston isn’t one for giving chances.” He frowned. “I keep meaning to ask you. why do you call Audrey ‘Dre’?”

“It’s a nickname.” I shrugged. “When she started at the agency, she thought ‘Audrey’ sounded too prim and proper. We were trying to make her name have more pop to it.” I snapped my fingers.

“She looks like an Audrey to me,” Cole said.

“Yeah, I know. But she’ll always be my Dre. She’s my best friend, you know?”

“It’s nice that you two have each other.” But his brow furrowed.

“Itisnice,” I said. “So why do you look all dark and stormy?”

“I guess I don’t like thinking about why it’s nice.” A deep V formed between his eyebrows, and he pulled me closer.

“So don’t think about it.” I gave him a playful nudge. “And stop scowling, or you’re going to need Botox!”

Cole laughed, and we walked arm in arm to the Liberty. I didn’t want him getting upset thinking about me and Dre backat AccommoDating. I didn’t want to face it, either. I liked being with Cole. I liked Audrey being with James. I enjoyed our happy little bubble and didn’t want to think about what came after.

Because what came after was going to suck compared to this.

We stumbled into the lobby, laughing and talking, only to stop dead in our tracks. The Windsor sisters were waiting for the elevator. They did a double take when they saw us, then shot each other a pointed look.

“Here we go,” Cole said under his breath. “A drunken duel in the Liberty lobby. You ready, babe?”

I nodded. I’d had precisely enough alcohol to be primed to fight. “What are we dueling about, again?”

“Eh…” Cole shrugged.

---