Page 40 of Billion Dollar Vow (The Lincoln Brothers #4)

Oliver pours wine for Evelyn, Amber, and me, and cracks open beers for himself and Wren. The gesture is so effortless, so natural.

As we all settle into the rhythm of cooking and conversation, I glance at Oliver, catching the faintest hint of a smile as he works.

Just as I’m about to take Amber and Wren on a tour of the house. Rufus, now free, lunges at Oliver’s leg with determination.

“Rufus!” Wren’s voice cuts sharply through the room.

But Rufus, undeterred, clings to Oliver’s leg and humps.

“Rufus, stop!” Wren commands again, his tone more urgent.

Oliver freezes, his face going pale as his hands hover awkwardly at his sides. His normally composed expression is replaced by one of utter disbelief as Rufus continues his embarrassing display.

I can’t hold back the giggle that bubbles up. “Looks like you’ve got an admirer.”

Oliver’s eyes narrow as he shoots me a pointed look. “I have plenty of admirers,” he quips, his tone suggestive, the double meaning unmistakable.

Heat rises in my cheeks, creeping up my neck, and I quickly look away.

“I’m so sorry,” Wren says, scooping Rufus up with an apologetic wince. “He’s started doing this lately. I have no idea why.”

“It’s fine,” Oliver says, the corner of his mouth twitching as if he’s fighting a smile.

I try to smooth over the moment as I motion for Wren and Amber. “Let’s start the tour before Declan and Armani get here.”

Wren nods, holding Rufus as if to prevent another incident. The group begins to move toward the entryway, but before I can follow, a firm hand wraps around my waist.

Oliver’s breath warms my ear as he leans in, his voice a low rumble. “I can’t wait to have you all to myself later.”

Twisting around, I push lightly against his chest, my pulse racing. “We should stop before they come back.”

With a teasing smirk, his arms stay wrapped around me. “You’re my wife,” he says simply, his tone both playful and possessive. “Hugging you is one of my favorite things.”

I inhale sharply, knowing there’s no winning this. Instead, I manage a weak glare before slipping out of his grasp and following the others up the stairs.

The tour is brief but lively, filled with Amber’s observations and Wren’s occasional teasing.

I make sure to avoid the room with my painting on the wall, in fear that Amber will tell Oliver that it's mine. I still haven’t told him about my art because my painting feels like one of the few things that’s truly mine, untouched by our arrangement.

I’m feeling closer to sharing that piece of myself… Just not today.

As we head back down from the top level, muffled voices drift up from the front hall.

Declan and Armani have arrived.

The moment I see Declan, an unexpected warmth fills my chest. I step forward and wrap him and Armani in a tight hug.

“Hey,” I say.

“Karley,” Declan replies, his tone as steady as ever.

As I pull back, my eyes flick between them, soaking in the familiar comfort of my brother and Amarni, who has become like family to me. I’ve truly missed them. Having some distance has been good for us. I no longer feel smothered. I’m genuinely happy to see him.

Declan studies me, his eyes narrowing. “What’s with that look on your face?”

“I’m happy to have all my favorite people in one room.” I wave a hand around the kitchen, and Armani grabs it mid-air, her eyes lighting up.

“Look at your rings,” Armani squeals.

Evelyn and Amber rush over. I glance down at my hand, realizing I’ve grown so used to the wedding rings that they no longer feel foreign. Somehow, they’ve become a part of me.

“Oh my God, they’re gorgeous,” Amber gushes, holding my hand under the light.

Armani and Evelyn take turns admiring the sapphire, their delight making me blush.

“Isn’t this a little over the top for something that isn’t even real?” Declan says, his voice dipping into that familiar skeptical tone. I struggle to keep my expression neutral, even as something inside me protests. His old habits die hard, apparently.

I glance at Oliver, curious and a little anxious about how he’ll handle my brother’s bluntness.

“You know she wasn’t going to get anything less than what she deserves,” he says with a wink, just as his phone rings.

He mouths, It’s Dan , and steps away to take the call. I smile. Mr. Warne knowing about our family dinner definitely helps sell our marriage.

Declan’s gaze shifts back to me, his expression unreadable. I press my lips together and turn to Armani with a grin. “What about you? What kind of ring would you want?”

She lights up at the question, her hand fluttering to her chest. As she begins describing her dream ring, I make a mental note. My brother loves hard and fast, and when the time comes for him to propose, I want to make sure he gets it right.

Later, we’re all seated around Oliver’s long wooden dining table. The spread is social media worthy: golden roast chicken, roasted vegetables glistening with olive oil, cornbread, creamy mashed potatoes, and a crisp Caesar salad.

The hum of conversation fills the room. Just as I’m settling into the comfort of the moment, Declan cuts through it like a knife. “So, when are you annulling the marriage?”

The room falls silent, tension thickening in the air. My stomach drops and heat rushes to my face.

I peek up at Oliver from under my lashes, silently begging him to take this one. I don’t want to answer. Oliver and I had a discussion about dating, but I don’t feel like being lectured by Declan today. I just want to stay in this bubble I’ve been living in for a little bit longer.

“We haven’t secured the gallery yet.”

Amber, always the practical one, jumps in. “Is there any news on it?”

“Not yet,” Oliver replies. “But he seems to be happy with Karley and me, so I’m hopeful.”

“You’ll get it,” I say, wanting to offer him even the smallest reassurance. I’ve seen how hard he works, how much pressure he puts on himself to live up to expectations.

Oliver’s blue eyes lock onto mine, and for a moment, the rest of the room fades away. The longing in his gaze is almost overwhelming, and I feel it in the pit of my stomach.

He smiles softly. “We will.”

Evelyn leans back in her chair, a sly smile playing on her lips. “You two are a little too good at faking it.”

Her words stir something in me. I realize I need to tell her about last night… now. With Declan’s blunt reminder of our arrangement, I need someone to talk to before I explode with all these conflicting feelings. I lean toward her, whispering, “Come help me with dessert?”

She shoots me a giddy expression and follows me into the kitchen. As I grab the peach cobbler from the oven, she gets the vanilla ice cream from the freezer.

“We hooked up last night.” The words tumble out in a breath before I can stop them.

Evelyn nearly drops the ice cream. “Okay, I need details,” she whispers, leaning in closer with wide eyes. “Was it everything you hoped for?”

My face breaks into the widest grin. “Better. And he said he wants to date me.”

Evelyn freezes. “You’re kidding.”

I shake my head, my grin only growing.

“I’m so happy for you.” Giving me a half hug, she pulls back, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “It's been a long time coming.”

“Thanks,” I reply, as nerves flutter in my stomach.

“But wait, what about the whole arrangement thing?” she whisper-shouts, nudging me with her elbow.

“I don’t know, exactly.”

Evelyn waves it off. “That’s okay. Take it one day at a time.”

Oliver comes into the kitchen to help, ending our conversation.

We serve the dessert, returning to the table just as the conversation shifts to the news.

But even as I settle back into the group, my mind lingers on Oliver and the way everyone’s so at ease.

Now that Declan has gotten off the topic of my and his best friend’s relationship status, we’re actually a family.

He is my husband. I catch his eye across the table.

That quiet, knowing smile of his is aimed my way, and I wonder if he can read my mind.

An hour later, as I walk Evelyn out, I pause, the soft glow of the porch light casting long shadows across his incredible yard.

I can hear the laughter of the group inside, but I need a moment alone with her, away from prying ears.

The cool night air wraps around us, and I take a deep breath before speaking. “Thanks for coming.”

“Of course. It was a lot of fun,” Evelyn replies, smiling as she pulls her jacket tighter against the evening chill.

She turns, but I take a step toward her, my hand lightly gripping her arm to keep her from leaving. “I need help telling him about me being the artist of those paintings he owns.”

Evelyn raises an eyebrow, curiosity sparking in her eyes. “You want to make it special?”

I nod, my heart picking up speed. “I’m nervous to tell him.”

She leans in a little. “Why? He’s going to freak out when you tell him.”

I bite my lip, looking down at my hands. “That’s what I’m afraid of. What if this changes everything between us when we’re just figuring things out?”

Would he just like me for my art? And not me as a person?

“He’ll be ecstatic. Not only does he have a beautiful wife, but she also happens to be a brilliant painter.”

I look back up. Her words hit me in a way I wasn’t expecting. I’m so lucky to have a good friend in my life. “It takes one to know one.”

Evelyn waves her hand dismissively in the air, grinning. “Oh, thanks.”

“I want to do it in a romantic way. I don’t want to just blurt it out.”

She looks at me thoughtfully, tapping her chin. “Hmm, what about you organize a date night next weekend? Go away somewhere... private?”

“I like that idea. Maybe one of those A-framed cabins in the woods...”

Evelyn scrunches her face in horror, stepping back a little. “A cabin in the woods? Where bears can eat you? Not romantic.”

I laugh, rolling my eyes. “You’re so dramatic. It’s about snuggling up by the fire and listening to the sounds of nature.”