Page 325 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 1

"No, that's okay." I set the picture down on the couch, leaned back, and smiled. It was crazy how James and I could pick up our whole lives and move within a few days. Ellen had been wonderful helping us pack and unpack everything. I relied on her as much as James did now.

"Shouldn't you be getting ready?" Ellen asked.

I ran the back of my hand against my forehead. I knew I was a mess. All day I had been delaying getting ready to go to James' parents. Just thinking about it made me unbelievably nervous.

"Dear, I know you're worried. Just be yourself." Ellen put her hand on my forearm.

"If they wanted to know me, they would have done it months ago. No, years ago. They don't want me to be me. They want me to be someone else."Isabella.

Ellen squeezed my arm and then stood up. "I laid out a dress on your bed. How about you go get ready and I'll finish unpacking. James will be back soon and he won't want to be late."

I knew that better than anyone. It was strange how quickly the apartment had been transformed into our home. I already felt comfortable here. James had been right. And I'd never tire of seeing the new view. Our first apartment had been between his office and NYCU. We didn't need to be near my school now. And it was really nice to be so close to Central Park. I sighed and stood up. "You're right. Thanks for all your help this week. I don't know what we'd do without you." It was strange going to meet James' mother when Ellen really seemed to fill that role.

"Go on and get ready." She waved her hand in the air, shooing me away.

***

I drummed my fingers against the kitchen counter. When I had come back out after my shower, Ellen was gone. She had picked out a sundress that was a little more sophisticated than the other ones I owned. It was white with a modest neckline and a lacy skirt that stopped a few inches above my knees. I had put on the diamond necklace James had gotten me last Valentine's Day, which made the outfit look even fancier. And I chose white heels instead of sandals. Hopefully it would be fancy enough. I looked around the kitchen at the shiny stainless steel appliances. It was odd being here alone.

I looked down at my phone. Normally when I was nervous about something, I'd call Melissa. But she had avoided me all week. She hadn't even stopped by to see the new apartment even though I kept asking. When she'd decided to move to New York after graduating, I had pictured spending a lot of time with her. I thought I'd be getting my best friend back. I hadn't even gotten to spend any time alone with her to talk about her dating Tyler. Hopefully I'd be able to pull her aside tonight.

James had said there wouldn't be more than 30 people or so at the party. It was just supposed to be close friends and family, and I'd know most of them. I was pretty sure his parents were the last people in his life I hadn't met. The thought just made me more nervous. And I couldn't stop thinking about all the things Mason had said last night.

I quickly answered my phone as soon as it buzzed. "Hey, James."

"We just pulled into the parking garage. Do you want to come down?" He sounded tense.

"Yeah, I'll be right down." I was in the elevator before I even hung up the phone.

The car was waiting near the elevator door. James was standing by the open door, staring down at his phone. He was dressed in a navy blue suit with a white dress shirt underneath. The top few buttons were undone and he wasn't wearing a tie. He looked casual and I instantly felt more relaxed. I'd need to thank Ellen for picking me out a perfect outfit for the occasion.

He smiled when he saw me and put his phone back in his pocket.

"So they haven't canceled yet?" I asked.

"Not yet." He kissed my cheek and gestured for me to get in.

I climbed in, scooting to the middle seat so he could slide in next to me. As soon as our seatbelts were buckled, he wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

"I like this," he said, running his opposite hand along the lace of my dress.

I smiled to myself. If he liked the lace on this dress, he was going to love the wedding dress I had picked out. "It's okay for tonight?"

"Absolutely." He grabbed my hand and ran his thumb along my palm. "Are you nervous?"

I looked up at him. Even if I tried to sugarcoat it, he'd be able to read how I was feeling. "Yes."

"Don't be." He gave me a small smile. "It's going to be fine, I promise."

"What if they don't like me?" I laughed awkwardly. "That's a stupid question. They already don't like me."

"It won't change anything."

"Yes it will. I don't want to be the reason that you're not close to your parents, James."

He lowered his eyebrows. "They're the reason I'm not close to them. Just be yourself. I fell in love with you. If they don't like you, it's their loss, not the other way around."

I took a deep breath. I couldn't go into this with preconceived notions about them if I expected them not to have them either. I just needed to pretend them avoiding me for the past couple years hadn't happened. This was a fresh start, just like the new apartment. They were going to be my family.