Page 2 of My Best Friend’s Billionaire Brother (Billionaire Brothers #4)

Will

Even after all these years away, Boston still feels like home.

Driving through the busy streets on my way to my sister’s engagement party, that was the reigning thought in my head.

After five years away, living on the west coast as a financial advisor for a large company, I finally moved back just a month ago to take over as the CFO for my parents’ multi-million-dollar wealth management business.

It was something I’d always considered, but after their CFO retired earlier this year, and since I was feeling a bit lonely out in California, here I am.

Back in Boston, running my parents’ company, and living in the city I grew up in.

Walking into the Boston Public Library, I’m immediately greeted by old family and friends. The festivities surrounding Chloe’s wedding have been a great excuse for extended family to get together, catch up, and celebrate. Almost more like a family reunion.

I scan the crowd, searching for Turner. My best friend from college, I’d introduced him and Chloe two years ago when I’d been back in town for Christmas.

Apparently they’d immediately hit it off but had been too scared to tell me they were dating until six months in.

Turner knew how protective I can be over my sister, and honestly, if it weren’t for the maturing I’d seen with my own two eyes on his part, that protective streak probably would have reared its ugly head.

But their relationship had grown on me, and now here we all are.

My best friend and my sister getting married.

One of the first friendly faces I recognize is Asher King, one of my fraternity brothers from college. He, Turner, and I were practically inseparable back in the day. He’s since started an incredibly successful company with his brothers, gotten married, and has a child on the way.

“Will!” He exclaims, crossing the room, a gorgeous blonde who I recognize as his wife, Olivia, beside him.

We hug, and I turn to hug Olivia as well. She’s definitely far enough along now that her pregnancy is visible. And she’s positively glowing.

“Congratulations, you guys,” I say with a wide smile. “Really, it’s so exciting.”

Olivia beams, her hand moving to her stomach instinctively.

“We’re excited,” Asher says to me, although his eyes are locked on Olivia’s, his smile infectious.

A clap on the back has me spinning around to see a grinning Turner, who pulls me in for a hug.

“Hey, man,” I say.

He turns to greet Asher and Olivia, and then the four of us are huddled together chatting. I gesture around the room. “Nice party.”

Turner shrugs. “Only the best for your sister.”

I roll my eyes. “Don’t I know it?”

He chuckles. “Go say hi to her—she’s over there with her maid of honor.” He nods to his left, and I follow his gaze to see Chloe in a fluffy, white party dress.

“I probably should go see my sister, shouldn’t I?” I say, saying a quick goodbye to Asher and his wife, promising to catch up with them later.

“Chloe!” I call, heading in her direction.

She turns when she hears her name, and as she does, she steps aside just far enough for me to see who she was talking to. And it nearly stops me in my tracks.

My breath catches in my throat, and it takes everything in me not to halt my stride and simply stare at her.

Josie Donovan. My sister’s best friend from childhood.

Damn, I haven’t seen her in a long time.

And holy shit does it show. Last time I saw her, Josie was a short, frizzy-haired, little nuisance.

And now … well, she’s still short, but that dress is hugging her curves in all the right places, and her eyes are this piercing dark green—have they always been that green ?

Chloe leans in to hug me, and I’m forced back into the moment, leaning down to hug her back. I straighten and immediately turn my gaze back to Josie.

“Will,” she says with a friendly smile. “God, it’s been a long time.”

“That’s right!” Chloe says. “You guys haven’t seen each other in forever. How long has it been?”

“Five years,” I say just as Josie mutters, “About five years.”

I shoot her a look, but her expression is somewhat unreadable.

“It’s good to see you,” I say after a moment of silence.

She nods. “It is.”

“Well, you two should probably catch up,” Chloe insists. “Maid of honor and the best man? You two are going to have to keep this whole party in line,” she says with a laugh .

Josie raises an eyebrow at me. “Best man?” she repeats.

“Yeah, Turner and I were roommates in college,” I say.

“Oh wow,” she says. “I knew you’d introduced them, but I didn’t know you were so close.”

“Oooh,” Chloe interrupts, spying a group of women who, based on appearance and vibe, I’m assuming are some of her sorority sisters.

“I should go say hi,” she says laying a hand on Josie’s arm.

“I’ll come find you later.” And with that, she’s off, leaving us to bask in the awkward silence settling around us.

After a few heartbeats, I clear my throat.

“So. How have you been?” I cringe internally at the blandness of the question.

I could easily find a reason to slip away, go chat with the various relatives or friends I see scattered about, but I’m finding myself oddly wanting to catch up with Josie.

Not that we were ever particularly close .

She was always just my little sister’s friend.

Her somewhat annoying friend, at that. The friend who always seemed to be getting into trouble and needing someone to save them.

Whether it was getting stuck at the top of the enormous tree in my parents’ backyard as little kids, or needing a ride home from a high school party when drunk, Chloe and Josie were always the little girls I simply needed to protect.

Although the Josie in front of me seems far from the little girl I used to know.

“Good,” she answers with a shrug and a small smile.

“Just hanging around Boston. Not jet setting from coast to coast,” she jokes, obviously referring to my last few years on the other side of the country.

Chloe must have kept her updated. I wonder why Chloe never updated me about Josie . I guess I never asked …

I chuckle. “It’s not as exciting as it sounds.”

“But you’re back now, I hear? ”

I can’t tell if she sounds happy about that. Or do I just want her to sound happy about that? God, that dress she’s wearing has got my mind wandering. “Yeah,” I answer. “I took over as CFO for my parents’ company.”

Josie nods. “I thought Chloe had mentioned something like that. That’s amazing. Congratulations.”

“Thanks. What about you? What do you do?”

“Graphic design,” she says, straightening ever so slightly, her face brightening. “I work for a design company. Remote.”

“That’s awesome,” I say, vaguely remembering her proclivity toward creativity back in the day.

A pause settles over us, and I see Josie glancing around the room.

I’m unsure what to say, but for some reason, I desperately want her to stay.

To take up more of her time. I don’t know what’s come over me.

And before I can stop myself, I hear myself blurting, “You know, we should probably exchange numbers. ”

A twinge of embarrassment sneaks through me at the raise of her eyebrow, but I cover it quickly. “To coordinate wedding stuff,” I clarify. “You keep the bride in line, and I’ll tackle the groom. Together, we’ll be unstoppable.”

At this, she laughs, throwing her head back slightly, her eyes sparkling. Fuck. When did Josie get so pretty? Was she always this pretty? Surely I would have noticed before.

“That’s probably a good idea,” she says, fishing around in her purse and pulling out her phone. It has a bright purple case on it with flowers. She hands it over, and I plug in my number. She takes it back and fiddles around for a moment. “Just sent you a text,” she says.

I can’t help the satisfying grin that comes to my face. “Great,” I say.

“Josie!” Chloe’s voice travels across the room, and we both whip our heads in her direction. She’s beckoning Josie over the crowd, surrounded by a gaggle of women .

Josie turns back to me with a smile. “It was nice to catch up with you, Will,” she says.

Will . The way she says my name is sending tingles through my brain. What the actual fuck? “Yeah, same,” I say as she turns and walks off. I try not to obviously check her out as she does, although I’m sure I fail miserably.

I take a deep breath, running a hand through my hair and turning. I need a drink.

In all honesty, I’d assumed Chloe and Turner’s wedding and the festivities surrounding it were going to be a bit of a slog. But now …

Well, it might just be a tad more bearable.