Page 48 of How to Catch a Billionaire

“So, the plan for me is to continue to work with Marco for as long as Alexi is in college. When he graduates, we’re moving to Lydovia.”

When he finished, his mom had tears in his eyes. “You were the one paying all the bills? Our accountant swore our paperwork was all in order, but I couldn’t figure out how.”

Troy’s face was full of regret. “I’m so sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean to worry you. I spoke to your accountant and told him I’d take care of some bills. I asked him to keep it all a secret. He thought I had a really good job and just wanted to help. Which wasn’t a lie.”

I would be lying if I said I hadn’t been a little worried for Troy. His family meant the world to him, and if they’d ended up being upset with him for keeping those secrets, it would have been devastating.

My parents had been really supportive of everything. They’d flown back to Chester Falls to support us while we delivered the news, but in the end, everything had happened as it should because family was the most important thing, and we all stuck together.

After everyone had talked, drank all the coffee, and eaten all the cake, Troy stood, taking me with him.

“I’m just going to show Alexi my computer collection.”

Wren snorted, and Tom hit him. “You’re forgetting how many times you’ve shown me your footballs and old trophies.”

I gave my parents a pleading look.

“We’re the cool dads. You can make out wherever you want as long as you’re safe and it’s under our roof,” Dad said.

“Not cool, Dad. Not cool.”

Troy dragged me upstairs, and as soon as we were inside his room, he pinned me against the wall and kissed me.

I let him work out his nervous energy on me. It was only a pity that our family was downstairs. Despite what we’d done the last time we’d been in this house together, I had no desire to be caught having sex.

“Feeling better?” I asked when he pulled back, resting his forehead on mine.

“Much better. I can’t believe how well they took it.”

I held his face between my hands. “They love you, Troy. Just like I do. You’re an incredible person, you know that, right? Even if Elite had never happened, you’d still be my hero.”

“I love you so much, Lexi.”

“I love you too, Troy.”

“Hey, how long do you think we have to stay before I can take you back to your huge house where your bedroom is miles away from your parents’ room? I’m kinda in the mood to ravish you.”

I laughed. “We’re taking Miles to the petting zoo, remember?”

His grin went wide. “That’ll be fun. We can practice for when we have our own little dude.”

“In a long time from now,” I added.

“You’re right. I have to marry you first.”

I gasped. Troy put a finger over my lips.

“Don’t be surprised, Lexi. I’ll wait until you’re ready for kids, but don’t make me wait to be your husband.”

“I won’t,” I whispered.

“Good. By the way, when we get back, you’ll find that your roommate is kicking you out of your dorm. If you need a place to stay until…say, forever…I know a place.”

I laughed. “Stop charming Jett, or he’ll want to move to Lydovia with us.”

“If that would make you happy, I would make it happen.”

Someone shouting our names from downstairs reminded us we’d been hiding in his room too long.

“Come on, let’s go eat more cake and pet some alpacas,” I said.

“After you, Lexi.”