Page 39 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 2

"I didn't think it would come up." He shrugged.

I pursed my lips together. "I feel awful. Do you know what happened to her brother? Was it an accident?"

James shifted uncomfortably. "He died of an overdose."

"That's horrible." I looked over at Daphne. She was meeting Mason and Matt's parents. "She probably hates me now."

James laughed. "I don't think so, Penny. Are you okay? It seems like you were nervous about getting her approval."

"Of course I am. If she marries Rob, then we're going to be sisters. And I don't want her to hate me. I blew it."

"You're incredibly cute. You didn't do anything wrong."

"Is there anything else I should know about some of your friends I'm meeting tonight? Like horrible things in their past I shouldn't talk about lightly?"

"Try not to talk about Davy Jones' missing eye. He's very sensitive about it."

"Which one is Davy Jones? And how did he lose his eye? I don't want to mention whatever did it either."

"You're kidding, right? Davy Jones? Like the pirate? I was just joking, Penny."

"So, you don't have a friend named Davy Jones?"

He laughed and pulled me in for a kiss. "No. I'm not a pirate, so I don't have any super awesome pirate friends."

I laughed against his chest.

"What are you so nervous about tonight? All these people are here because they love us. There's nothing to be nervous about."

I looked up into his eyes. "Honestly, I just want tonight to be more memorable than your rehearsal dinner with Isabella."

"Penny..."

"I'm sorry. It's just hard for me not to think about what might be running through your head. And I just want..."

"There is no comparison, baby," he said and grabbed the side of my face. "None."

I nodded.

"So, stop being nervous. Let's just enjoy tonight. Let me get you a drink."

"No, that's okay. My stomach has been kind of upset."

He lowered his eyebrows. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just don't want to make it worse."

"I'm going to go grab you something for that. I'll be right back." He kissed the tip of my nose and walked toward the bathroom. I watched Mrs. Caldwell stop him and give him a hug. Tonight was perfect. It was exactly as it should be.

I noticed Ellen helping the caterers with something. She was used to preparing our meals and I knew she was probably having a hard time being our guest tonight. She never seemed to stop moving. I walked over to her and lightly touched her shoulder. "Ellen, you don't have to do anything tonight. We invited you to be part of the celebration."

"I like to help, dear," she said with a smile.

"Please just sit down and enjoy yourself. You do so much for me and James. The caterers can handle all this."

She smiled and patted my cheek. "I just want it to be perfect."

"Thank you." James' parents might not be here, but between Mrs. Caldwell and Ellen, he definitely had a motherly influence. "But really, just relax."