Page 32 of Billion Dollar Vow (The Lincoln Brothers #4)

Karley

He’s dressed in black pants and a green polo, his brown hair swept back and his cold brown eyes staring right at me.

He walks up with his girlfriend. Her hair is blonde too, but hers is more platinum than mine, and longer. It compliments her blue eyes. She’s in a fancy green golf dress that matches Liam’s polo.

Oliver's hand tightens in mine. “Liam,” he says through a tight jaw.

“Hello, hello, couldn’t let you have all the fun,” Liam says with the biggest fucking smirk that you want to slap off.

“I didn’t realize you were joining us today,” Oliver says, stepping away from Liam. “The tee time was scheduled for four people.”

“Dan invited us,” Liam replies smoothly. “And of course, I couldn’t resist.”

Something about the calculated way he’s looking between Oliver and me makes me uncomfortable.

“I want to introduce you to my girlfriend, Paige,” Liam says. “It’s getting serious.”

His words sound performative, like he’s putting on a show rather than sharing good news. I wonder if this is part of whatever strange dynamic exists between him and Oliver.

“Hi, Paige.” I smile. “I’m Karley.”

“My wife,” Oliver says in a dark tone, his hands wrapping my middle as he pulls me close.

Paige’s face glows. “It’s lovely to meet you.”

“Have you played golf before?” I ask. If I’m going to spend the next few hours with this woman while our partners compete for Mr. Warne’s attention, it would help to have something to talk about.

“Yes, last week, but I’m not very good.” Paige giggles.

“It’s okay. I’m sure to be hopeless,” I say, waving a hand.

“The lunch and spa make it worth it,” Eden interjects with a wink.

I like her. Actually, both ladies seem nice. There’s a pang of guilt, though, since these women are being genuine, while I’m playing a role. I push the feeling aside, reminding myself why we’re doing this.

It’s just Liam… The way his eyes zone in on Oliver makes me shiver.

But when I look at Oliver, his gaze is on me.

This is why I get so confused. He looks at me with a fire, that I feel deep in my core but I can’t trust it. Not after everything.

“Okay, let's get started. We need the extra time, otherwise, we’ll miss the lunch reservation, and it sounds like that's all the ladies want,” Mr. Warne jokes, but kisses Eden on the cheek again, and I melt at the affection.

“You know me too well.” Eden smiles lovingly at him.

Oliver links his hand with mine as we follow them. His palm is warm, our fingers interlacing naturally.

“Why are people moving the bags for us?” I whisper so only Oliver can hear, surprised by what seems like unnecessary service.

He brings his lips to my ear. I ignore the closeness and listen to his words. “That’s part of Dan’s package.”

I blink slowly, trying to comprehend all this extra stuff they can get because they have money. The power they have…

I hang back, waiting for my turn, which unfortunately isn’t that long. Eden hits the ball with ease. I’m surprised, because I’d assumed she was more of a social golfer like me, here mostly for the lunch afterward. Now I feel even more out of my depth.

Paige takes a few goes before hitting the ball. I notice Liam getting frustrated beside me, giving her instructions in a huff. I glance at Mr. Warne, noticing his slight frown as he watches Liam’s behavior. I wonder if Oliver will get frustrated with me.

Now it’s my turn, and I look at Oliver, who gives me an encouraging smile.

“What club do I pick?”

He hands me one, standing close. “This is a driver. Perfect for beginners.” Positioning himself behind me, he gently guides my arms into the correct stance.

“Keep your eye on the ball, not where you want it to go,” he whispers softly against my ear. “And don’t try to smash it. Just a smooth, easy swing.”

I step up to the ball, and he tells me to relax. Yeah, sure, that’s easier for him to say; he knows what the fuck he’s doing, whereas I’ve never played, and I have them all watching and waiting.

I swing the club hard, and because my hands are so sweaty, the club slips out and hits a tree. Gasping, my hands cover my mouth. The roar of laughter behind me makes me relax a little, but I’m still mortified.

Turning to Oliver, I expect to see disappointment, but he’s doubled over. When he straightens, he’s misty eyed and red faced.

“Stop laughing at me.”

“Sorry, Petal ,” he says, walking over and handing me a new club before going back to watch me with the others.

I suck in a breath at his nickname for me and try to focus on the ball, but of course, it rattles me more, and I hit the grass.

“I don’t know if I can do this,” I say quietly when I swing again and move a piece of grass. I want to die inside. This perfect, expensive grass is now damaged because of me. My throat tightens, and I struggle to breathe.

I’m staring at the big dirt hole, wondering what to do. I’m so lost in thought that I don’t hear Oliver walk up. It's only the heat of his body, the clean smell of his aftershave, and his voice that wraps around me like a hug.

“Stop doubting yourself. Don’t let fear win. Use your courage.” His body slips behind me, my back flush against his chest as he wraps his arms around me and covers my hands over the club. If he thinks I’m able to do this with him standing so close, he’s got another thing coming.

“I’ve got it,” I say.

“I know, but this is perfect for our show.”

My heart squeezes painfully. I swallow, looking out in my peripheral vision, noticing all their eyes on me.

All for show.

My eyes burn from hurt and anger. I’d begun to imagine moments like this could be real between us.

Standing in his embrace, I suddenly picture myself back at the house, alone in my room while he’s out living his real life when our arrangement ends, and I’m packing to leave.

What am I doing, letting myself get attached?

This is a business deal, not a love story.

It switches something in me. I picture myself in my new house and start questioning my reasoning.

Taking a deep breath, I focus on the ball and let him guide me.

We hit the ball, and it sails forward. “I did it,” I cry, surprised at my own excitement over something so small. His warm body leaves me, and I’m a mix of pleased and sad. Paige and Eden clap, and Mr. Warne says, “Good job.”

It’s Mr. Warne's turn again. I'm standing with the others as Oliver slips his arm around my waist. I lean into him without thinking and peer up at him. His gaze remains straight ahead, focused on Mr. Warne, but he turns slightly and winks at me.

Mr. Warne hits the ball far, and he turns with a smile that grows as soon as he spots his wife. Moving to Eden, he kisses her softly, whispering something that makes her laugh. The easy affection between them stirs something in me.

As we walk the course, following our balls, reality crashes back. Once this agreement is up, what happens then? I’ll still be at his mother’s school. Declan will still be his best friend. Our lives are tangled in ways I hadn’t fully considered before. A clean break might be impossible.

We finish the nine-hole game in three hours, thanks to my inexperience with every swing.

Despite my initial embarrassment, I found myself enjoying the afternoon a lot more than I expected.

Paige struggled too, which made me feel less alone.

Though Oliver kept his competitive edge with Mr. Warne and Liam, he never once showed frustration, unlike Liam, whose patience with Paige had clearly worn thin.

The clubhouse gives us the most surreal backdrop of the New York City skyline and the iconic Statue of Liberty.

As we walk farther in, I’m in awe. This place exudes sophistication, with glass walls and sleek furniture perfectly set up to enhance the view.

Inside, we pass private lounges and head into a first-class dining room.

I follow like a little lost puppy, holding Oliver's hand for guidance.

We arrive at the table, where Oliver pulls out a chair for me before taking his seat beside me.

Eden sits across from me with her husband at her side, while Paige and Liam take the remaining seats.

As soon as we settle in, the service begins.

A white napkin is laid across my lap, water is poured, and I’m asked if I’d like a drink.

The girls order wine and the boys order scotch.

I order a soda and Oliver orders the same.

I lean into him. “You can have a scotch to blend in.”

He moves his mouth to my ear. “No. I don’t need a drink to have a good time.” He squeezes my thigh. “I’m in good company.”

“Or good free entertainment?” I raise an eyebrow, and my lips lift, remembering all my mistakes on the golf course.

“Both. I hope you had a good time.”

I smile at his warm eyes, getting lost in them. It suddenly feels like it’s just us here. “I did, aside from being embarrassed by how bad I was. It was fun.”

He leans closer. “Don’t be embarrassed, we were all bad once.”

I roll my eyes playfully, leaning back, touched by his attempt to make me feel better. “Yeah, right.”

“No, I’m serious. Once I forgot to put the cart in park, and it rolled downhill and into a pond.”

I giggle, covering my mouth.

“I had a squirrel once take my ball and run off with it,” Mr. Warne adds, pulling my gaze to him, having forgotten we should be engaging with them.

“My ball hit a tree once, ricocheted off a second tree, and ended up in another golfer's cart,” Liam adds. Something feels performative about it, like he’s sharing the story to fit in, rather than genuinely connecting.

The light chatter of the restaurant buzzes softly around us, accompanied by the clink of utensils and soft laughter from other tables.

Eden swirls her drink thoughtfully, casting a sly glance at her husband.