Page 70 of Seduced by Her Billionaire Fake Fiancé

While champagne was served at the wedding, Carlisle had been adamant it didn’t bother him. “My addiction is my own to control. It has nothing to do with other people drinking, it’s something I have to deal with in here.” He tapped the side of his head. “I’m strong, Andie. Stronger than I’ve ever been. I just wish I could have found this strength before, to help you—,”

“I’m okay,” she said, smiling.

“Yeah, you’re okay.” Carlisle wrapped her in a hug. “Thank you for everything.”

“You deserve it.”

“I don’t know if that’s true, but I’m going to prove you right.” After the wedding, Carlisle was returning to New York to take up a position within Acto. He’d be on the management team, but it was on the proviso that he went to an AA meeting around the corner from his home every day for at least the next few months. Max had been adamant that the stress and pressure of the role couldn’t be allowed to derail his improvements.

Soph had been corralled into helping out too. She’d always loved Carlisle, having grown up thinking of him almost like a brother, and had been delighted to schedule weekly dinners with him.

“We’re like your two forgotten family members,” she’d pretend sobbed.

“I’ll bring her home often,” Max promised.

“I think we can all see that she is home,” Soph responded. “But that’s okay. I wouldn’t have wanted to lose her to anyone else, Max, but you—well, Andie was right. You are different.”

He grinned. It meant a lot to have the approval of Andie’s best friend. And because loving Andie had made him happy in the very centre of his heart, he spontaneously hugged Soph, sighing with contentment. “I love her, you know.”

“I know.”

“I’m going to take care of her.”

“You don’t need to.” Max pulled away, looking down at Soph. “Andie’s damned good at taking care of herself. But I’m glad she has you anyway.”

And Andie did have him. All of him, for all time. It was just how it was meant to be—and he was grateful every day that he’d finally stopped fighting what was clearly written in the stars for them and had let himself love her back.

* * *

On the firstnight of their honeymoon, Max surprised Andie by taking her to a winery in the South of France. It was beautiful, filled with all the things she’d always adored about the country, but it was his thoughtfulness in arranging this that made Andie’s heart sing.

“Do you like the villa?” He asked, running a hand over the ancient stone walls.

“I do,” she agreed, thinking that it was her second-favourite villa in all the world.

“Well, that’s good news.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out an ancient key. “It’s yours.”

Her jaw dropped. “I’m sorry. What?”

“A wedding present, from me to you.”

Her eyes widened. “You bought me a villa?”

“Do you like it?”

“I mean, yes, but Max.” She laughed, shaking her head. “It’s way too much.”

“There can never be too much for you, Andie.”

She expelled an uneven sigh. “I didn’t get you anything.”

“Oh, Andie, yes you did. Can’t you see that you have given me something so much more important and valuable than property?” And he drew her into his arms and kissed her, as though she could possibly misunderstand him.

Max, though, was not done with thoughtful generosity. The next day, after enjoying lunch on a picnic blanket amongst the vines that surrounded the villa, he reached into his pocket and withdrew a blank white envelope. “I have something for you.”

She pulled a face. “Max, this has to stop.”

“Well, actually, it’s for Carlisle too.”

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