Page 11 of The Billionaire I Left Behind

“Of course.” She flips her hair dramatically. “Ocean Bay would crumble without my superior coffee-making skills.”

I snort, shaking my head. “Sure, that’s what’s holding the town together.”

She wiggles her brows. “You missed me.”

I sigh, smiling despite myself. “Yeah, I did.”

Her expression softens, just a bit. “Good. Because I missed you too.”

A beat passes, warm and unspoken. She sits up, tilting her head as she studies me. “And you? How are you really?”

I open my mouth to sayI’m finebut the words stick. Instead, I glance around the living room, searching for something else to focus on.

That’s when she says it. “I’m glad you’re back,” she murmurs, running a hand along the back of the couch. “At least Grandma’s house will have some life in it again.”

I freeze. A second too long. And she notices.

Stella’s eyes narrow, sharp and knowing. She knows me too well. “Okay,” she says, slow. “What’s wrong?”

I force a smile. “Nothing.”

Her brows lift. “Emma?”

I wave a hand. “I swear, it’s…”

“Uh-huh. Try again.”

I sigh, slumping onto the armchair across from her. “It’s just… complicated.”

She leans in. “Complicated how?”

I grip the cushion beneath me, fighting the urge to bolt.

Just tell her.

I exhale, rubbing my forehead. “Bryan owns half the house.”

Silence. I don’t dare look up. Not yet. Then…

“Wait. What?”

I peek up, and yep. There it is. Stella looks like I just told her aliens landed on Main Street.

I groan, dropping my head back against the chair. “Grandma left the house to both of us. Fifty-fifty.”

Stella blinks. “I … what?”

“And we must live here. Together. For three months.”

The words land like a bomb. For a second, she’s completely silent. Then she bursts out laughing.

I glare. “Glad you find my misery entertaining.”

“Oh, babe.” She wipes at her eyes, still giggling. “This town is gonna have a field day with this.”

I groan, shoving a pillow at her. “Not helping.”

She catches it, still grinning. “I mean… come on. Your grandma totally did this on purpose.”