Page 52

Something wasn’t right.
I’d felt oddly comfortable with Cole from the beginning. It shouldn’t have been that way. We were from two different worlds, but somehow, the billionaire bachelor had immediately put me at ease. The attraction had been instantaneous. The sex made me feel like a million bucks—scratch that, a billion. Same thing whenever Cole put his arm around me and when I woke up next to his big, warm body. I was proud to be next to him. Real proud, like I was being rewarded for good behavior, and everyone could see it.
But now, as we headed to Logan for our flight, another awkward silence stretched out between us. I wondered if it was because the vacation was the last part of the assignment. All of a sudden, the end of our arrangement was in sight. The party was about to be over. Instead of crying about it, I vowed to enjoy myself. Maybe the trip wouldn’t be the end of us after all. Maybe Cole would decide to “buy” me and put me up in a condo or something. Maybe he’d become a regular.
Or maybe pigs would fly.
Again, I promised myself I wouldn’t think about it. I had plenty to be happy about. We were flying to the Caribbean! Shirley had gone shopping for me, dropping off a week’s worth of designer resort wear in addition to the things Elena had already packed. I had the hottest billionaire alive sitting beside me, holding my hand. We were going to go swimming in turquoise water and drink rum out of coconuts. I should enjoy my dreams coming true, not cry about whatever happened next. Or whatever didn’t happen next.
“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.