Page 53 of The Billionaire and I

“We’re flying private,” Cole announced after we went through security.

“Woah. Seriously—a whole plane for just us?”

“Yep.” Cole smiled, pleased at my reaction. It was like the sun coming out. “You’re going to love it.”

“Of course I’m going to freaking love it!” I grinned back at him. “I’m flying private to the Caribbean with my billionaire boyfriend. What’s not to love?’

He grabbed me and pulled me against him, some of the uneasiness between us dissipating. “We’re going to have so much fun, babe. I can’t wait to see you in some of those bikinis Shirley bought.”

I arched my eyebrows. “You’re going to be seeing a lot of me.” Shirley had bought scraps of fabric—thin, lacy scraps—sold as expensive swimwear. Celia Preston was going to get an eyeful!

Speaking of the Preston matriarch, we soon found her in the waiting area, along with Robert Preston, Todd and Evie, Evie’s cousins and their husbands, the other bridesmaids, and a small crowd of additional well-dressed guests who I’d seen at the various events. Our private seating area was hushed. The guests were silently drinking their coffee, bleary-eyed and most likely quite hungover from the reception.

James and Audrey weren’t there yet. I crossed my fingers, hoping they’d make it.

“Mrs. Preston. Mr. Preston.” Cole nodded at them as we took seats near Todd and Evie. The happy couple smiled at us. Todd raised his coffee in a cheer.

“It was an awesome wedding,” I said. From her perch several seats away, Celia Preston sighed. “Wickedawesome,” I added for good measure.

Evie grinned. “Thanks! I agree.” She snuggled against Todd, putting her hand on his chest. Her enormous diamond winked at me.

I briefly wondered what it would feel like to be married and have a ginormous ring on my finger, but I shoved the thought away.Eye on the ball, Jenny,I reminded myself.Eye on Cole’s balls!I was getting paid a fuck-ton of money for this assignment.There was no reason to sit around, waiting to board a private plane, boo-hooing and feeling sorry for myself.

A minute later, James and Audrey arrived. My friend looked pale beneath her makeup. James appeared tense, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.Uh-oh.Gone were the goo-goo eyes and the lovey-dovey behavior from the past week. They both looked uncomfortable as they approached our group.

Celia rose as soon as she saw them. “Audrey, dear, we were worried you weren’t going to make it. What happened to you last night?” she asked. “I would have asked my son at the reception, but he avoided me like the plague, as usual.”

Audrey offered a strained smile. “I wasn’t feeling well, Mrs. Preston. I’m so sorry I had to leave—I missed everything. James said it was extraordinary.”

“You’re better this morning?” Celia Preston eyed her up and down.

Fine actress that she was, Audrey reached for James’s hand. “I’m much better, thank you. I’m really looking forward to this trip.” She almost sounded convincing.

Seemingly satisfied, Celia went to sit back down. But then she stopped herself. “Oh, I meant to ask you—who was that strange woman you were talking to yesterday at the church? She caused quite a stir in the back, I understand.”

Audrey’s smile faltered, but only for a moment. “She was just some woman who wandered in off the street—I didn’t want her interrupting the ceremony. So I helped her out.”

Celia Preston managed to raise one eyebrow slightly, and her gaze shifted to her son. “And you left your brother’s wedding to go help Audrey with this random stranger?”

James shrugged. “I wanted to make sure Audrey didn’t need me. Turns out she didn’t. She handled it all on her own.”

“How impressive. You almost make it sound as if Audrey’s an actual adult.” Celia chuckled meanly and sat back down.

Cole and I watched this exchange with interest. “She really is a bitch, huh?” I whispered. “She and Audrey’s mom deserve each other.”

“Maybe we should invite Audrey’s mom to the island, too,” he said, also keeping his voice low. “Then we can vote them both off.”

“I like the way you think, Coley,” I said, feeling myself relax a little. I might have awkwardness to deal with, but it was nothing compared to what Audrey was going through. I needed to buck up and support my friend.

Cole smiled at me. “We make a pretty good team, don’t you think?”

I grinned back. “I sure do.” I could feel the hope rising in my chest, that pesky weed that cropped up regardless of its surroundings. Mentally, I plucked it. It was time to keep my eye on the ball.The balls.

I had work to do, not the least of which was helping my best friend.

The private planewas impressively luxurious, of course. The chairs were wide and comfortable-looking, with plenty of space to spread out. We followed a stiff-looking James and Audrey to the back of the plane, and I sighed in relief that we had a few rows to ourselves. I was psyched to get away from Celia Preston.

We flopped down across the aisle from Audrey and James. I stared at my friend, but she was avoiding me. She probably didn’t want to talk, but too bad. That’s what friends did.

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