Page 66 of Billion Dollar Vow

“Uh-huh. And… how was it?”

I close my eyes as memories flood back, the heat, the intensity, the feel of his lips on mine. How was it?

Hot.

Sensual.

Addictive.

Passionate.

“Everything I hoped for,” I whisper.

“Damn, girl!” She laughs. “Can you imagine if he’d been a sloppy mess? Imagine your crush kissing like a frog?”

I wince, laughing. “Ugh, gross. But he was nothing like that. It was… perfect.”

“So…” she says slyly. “Are you going home to him now? What’s going to happen next?”

My heart pounds at the thought of stepping back into the house, finding him waiting up for me, the possibility of feeling his lips on mine again. Nerves swarm my stomach. “I don’t know.”

“Do what feels comfortable,” she says. “But I better get back to work before I get fired.”

“Thanks for risking your job for me,” I say, my heart full.

“For you, anytime.”

I hang up and finish cleaning, my mind replaying our kiss. As I head out, I quickly call Amber and check in.

Just calm down, I tell myself as I park the car and get out, stomach twisting as I ready myself to go inside. I take steadying breaths with each step closer to the house, then push the door open, half-expecting to see him waiting.

But as I step in, the hallway is dark. No light peeks out from his room, the entire house is silent. My heart sinks, heavy and cold. He’s… gone to bed?

I stand there, my excitement plummeting into something hollow. I replay our kiss once again, every touch, every glance, and wonder if it meant something different to him. Maybe I was just an itch that needs scratching, a moment of weakness, and I was just… there.

Without another thought, I storm upstairs, my footsteps heavy, each step a beat of anger and hurt. I walk into my room, shut the door, and sit on the edge of the bed, too furious to cry.

Chapter 16

Karley

ThedoorbellchimesandI set down the financial paperwork I’ve been reading for my house.

Oliver’s been gone all day. This morning, his breakfast note left me both relieved and disappointed.

Off to Jeremy’s bachelor party. Try not to have too much fun without me. Call me if you need me. And no watching our show until I return. Hubby xo

I open the door, and Evelyn steps inside, eyes wide. “Are you kidding me?”

I laugh, closing the door behind her. I probably had the same reaction when I first saw his place.

Her gaze darts around. The herringbone timber floors, the dark wood, the high ceilings.

“Okay, this place is insane,” she whispers, eyes still moving. “Have you ever been here before?”

I shake my head. “Nope. First time.”

Evelyn pauses in the long entryway, looking around like she’s in a museum. “He always came to your place. Kind of makes you wonder why, doesn’t it?”