Page 95 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 3

“It’s okay. I wanted to clear my head.”

“If I’m being completely honest, I promised James I wouldn’t let you go anywhere alone.”

That made sense after I'd tried to run away. It was funny that she was in charge of watching me instead of Scarlett, though. I wasn’t sure James trusted me with my daughter after today either. I had learned my lesson about fiber. “I’ll ask one of James' security guards to come with me.”

“Alright. You sure?”

I lowered my voice. “You’re clearly busy.”

“I am not…” her voice trailed off. “Fine. You caught me. In my defense, I thought you and James were busy too.”

I laughed.No, not quite.In my manuscript though?Yes. Yes. Yes!I could feel my own cheeks blushing just thinking about that shower scene. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

“Awesome. Maybe we can watch a movie or something like we always used to? Just us. I feel like we need a girls’ night.”

“I heard that,” Josh said with a laugh from behind the door.

I smiled. “I’d like that. No offense, Josh,” I added.

“None taken,” he said.

“Have fun.” I smiled at her and left them alone. A girls’ night sounded perfect. Just like old times. Even though they still partially felt like current times to me. But I was getting used to this reality. I was getting used to James and the kids. I could picture myself here now.

I opened up the front door. Ian was standing outside talking on his cell phone.

“Oh, Jen, I have to go, Penny just walked out. Mhm, I will. Take a deep breath, it’s going to be fine. I love you too.” He hung up the phone. “Jen says hi.”

“James’ sister, right? And your fiancée?”

He smiled as he slid his cell phone back into his pocket. “You’re remembering things now. So, um…what are you doing out here?”

“Actually I was hoping to go for a walk and I was told I needed someone to accompany me. But you’re busy. Maybe Briggs or Porter could come? Or…” my voice trailed off trying to remember all the names. “Or William?”

“I’d be happy to go with you, Penny.”

“But your phone call…”

“Everything with Jen is an emergency. Our wedding isn’t very soon. A flower arrangement disaster isn’t even a thing this far out. She’ll be fine.” He walked over toward the elevator.

I laughed. “What exactly is a flower arrangement disaster?”

“I don’t know. I may have been holding the phone away from my ear.” He smiled, even though we both knew it wasn’t true. He had been listening to every word, crazy or not. I could tell he loved her.

“What made you realize you wanted to get married?” I asked as we stepped onto the elevator.

“Well, a number of things really. I liked Jen for far longer than I’d like to admit. Really since the first time I met her.” He smiled. “I hadn’t been working for James long and he asked if I’d pick her up at the airport. She’s just so full of life. And beautiful. And smart.”

We walked through the lobby and out the front doors as I thought about what he had said. He made it seem like it was love at first sight. Was that what James and I'd had? The first few chapters of my manuscript sure made it seem like we had.

“Are we friends?” I asked.

“You and me? Or you and Jen?”

“I was asking about you and me. But now I’m curious about both.”

He smiled. “Well, yes to both.”

“Can I ask you something then?” There was still something nagging me about the note in my pocket. What James said made sense. But what if he was wrong? What if I was unstable? And depressed. And lonely. If I could get out ahead of it, maybe I could fix it. I was growing attached to this life. I didn’t want for it to end.