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But another part of me knew that my father would use any leverage he could to his advantage. It was only a matter of time. Dodging his inquiry wouldn’t make him go away—he only got more demanding when ignored.
Unease settled over me as I fell into a restless sleep. For once, I seemed to have more problems than theThunder’scrappy defensive lineup. That wasn’t how I liked things. I’d built my world so that I wasalwaysin control. I was the boss, the dealmaker, the giver and taker-away-er of good fortune.
So why did I feel like things were getting away from me somehow?
After tossing and turning, I rolled over and looked at the clock: three a.m. Ugh. I threw my arm around Jenny, holding her warm body beside mine. I only had her for a little while. I should enjoy our time together. Still, something nagged at me. I couldn’t fall back asleep; I wasn’t at ease.
“I’m fucking crazy about her.”Those words had slipped out of my mouth and into my best friend’s ear, and they were the truth. Iwascrazy about Jenny. I couldn’t keep my hands off her. If we were near each other, my arm was around her. The sex was incredible and had been from the first go. But more importantly, I genuinely liked her.
I put my face against her skin and inhaled her coconut scent. Why did she smell so good? I didn’t know. I just knew I wanted to hold her body next to mine and just…keep holding it.
I had no idea what to do with that information. I’d never stopped running away from women long enough to like one of them. And I didn’t even know if she liked me back.
Jennyseemedto enjoy spending time with me. But then again, I was paying her a small fortune to act like she was into me. Maybe she was a great actress, but I felt a real connection between us. In the scheme of things, what did that mean?
I was a billionaire who valued my freedom. She was an escort. People like us didn’t exactly live “normal” lives that involved 2.5 kids and a house in the suburbs.
Maybe I could buy her a condo, I mused. Possibly, Jenny could be my “kept woman,” or whatever they used to call it. I could send Shirley out to buy her groceries twice a week and sleep over on the weekends. Jenny wouldn’t have to work at the agency anymore. She could just sit in her condo and…sit in her condo.
I filed away the confusion swirling in my brain, vowing to ponder it another day. Like never.
And then, in typical-me fashion, I distracted myself by thinking of hockey plays until I finally fell asleep.
COLE
The morningof the wedding dawned. It was another sunny and lovely day, prolonging an almost unheard-of streak of nice weather in Boston. While Jenny was still asleep, I turned my phone back on. There were five messages from Kevin and one from Shirley.
I opened the one from Shirley first.
The Forbes shoot went well. Do you need me to do any more shopping?
Even though it was six a.m., I called her. “Jenny and I are going to the Caribbean tomorrow with the wedding party.”
“Oh, Mr. Bryson—that’s wonderful news!” Shirley sounded alert and fully caffeinated. I could picture her, already dressed for the day, entirely made up and ready to go. “Did you have fun at the party? I saw some of the pictures online. Jenny looked so pretty in that dress?—”
“Yes, thank you,” I interrupted. “Can you shop for some resort wear for her? And bikinis. I want lots of bikinis.Thongbikinis.”
“Yes, Mr. Bryson!” Shirley said gleefully. “I’ll get right on it!”
“And what about the other thing? The present?” I’d almost forgotten I’d asked Shirley to pick up something else for Jenny.
“Oooh, I got it!” She sounded beside herself with excitement. “Amari had your picker-upper put the gift in your dresser. It’s all wrapped and everything!”
“Thanks, Shirley. You’re the best.”
“Thankyou, Mr. Bryson. Have a great day!” She hung up on me faster than she ever had before, probably eager to begin her next round of Jenny-related shopping.
I poured myself a cup of coffee before I read Kevin’s texts.
Your father already called me this morning
He said he knows about the girl. He didn’t say more, but that you’d know what he meant
He asked if you could meet him at the club for breakfast
He knows the wedding is today
But apparently, he doesn’t care