Page 15 of The Billionaire’s Paradise (My Billionaire #4)
The suitcase situation had escalated.
Cal had three open on the bed. Three. All lined up with terrifying symmetry, organized by category—eveningwear, daywear, and “resort neutrals.” I stood on the other side of the room holding a single backpack stuffed mostly with underwear in case I ate something that didn’t agree with me… a lot.
“What do you mean you’re bringing three?” I asked, watching him fold his shirts with the solemn precision of a man trying to impress both God and the TSA.
“You heard Tessa,” he said, smoothing the lapel of a pale blue linen blazer that cost more than my laptop.
“Leilani’s family is big. There’s a welcome dinner, a beach day, a luau.
Not to mention I have meetings with Hal.
We have investors lined up as well as a ton of red tape to get through.
There are stakeholders, cultural protocols, environmental regulations, land use approvals…
this isn’t a handshake deal. But I’m sure Hal will charm everyone into doing what we need to get this proposal across the line. ”
Ah yes. Hal.
I tried to stay cool. Unbothered. Like an evolved adult .
I made a noise instead.
Cal glanced over. “I know you’re not happy about Hal being there.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You didn’t have to. You made that noise.”
“What noise?”
“That noise you make when you disapprove of something I do. The same noise you make when I put raisins in the couscous.”
I shuddered. “That’s not a noise. That’s a cry for help.”
“He’s just coming to finalize the Hawaii venture. One dinner, maybe two. He’s taking his own jet. You won’t even have to see him.”
I hesitated. “Well. Funny you should say that.”
Cal straightened, a perfectly folded shirt still in his hand. “Why?”
I scratched the back of my neck. “Because I may have… also invited someone.”
His brow furrowed. “Who?”
“Mrs. Mulroney.”
He stared at me like I’d told him I’d just adopted a ferret. “You invited Mrs. Mulroney to Hawaii?”
“I didn’t invite her, exactly. She invited herself. I just… didn’t uninvite her.”
“Matt… this is supposed to be a trip for us. For our future family.”
“I know. But it turns out, for better or worse, she’s part of that future family. She’s always been family.”
He exhaled through his nose, put the shirt down, and sat on the edge of the bed. “Fine. But she stays out of the meetings. And she’s not allowed to sneak those little whiskey bottles into her bra. Rashida does the inventory. She’ll know.”
I grinned excitedly. “I promise she won’t. Actually, I can’t make that promise at all. But I’ll give her a very stern warning not to do it. I can promise you that. ”
Just then, the penthouse door opened.
We both turned and made our way downstairs.
Mrs. Mulroney came stumbling in like an overloaded porter, wrapped in a tropical caftan, wearing oversized sunglasses, and dragging two mismatched suitcases behind her like she was towing a herd of stubborn goats through a highland village.
“Right,” she said, planting her hands on her hips, somewhat exhausted. “I’ve packed sunscreen, aloe vera, backup aloe vera, antihistamines in case there’s far too much pollen in the air, and a swimsuit I haven’t worn since my synchronized swimming days. Esther Williams had nothing on me.”
Cal stood. “You packed two suitcases?”
I turned to him. “You’ve packed three.”
“That’s different. I have meetings to attend.”
“Sweet Jesus on a Pritikin diet,” chuckled Mrs. Mulroney. “If you’re worried about me overloading the jet, these suitcases are the least of your concerns.”
“What does that mean?” I asked.
“It means I’ve brought a few extras.”
Before either of us could process her words, Angus appeared in the doorway.
“Aloha!” he bellowed as he burst into the room, wearing a flamingo floatie around his waist and sunglasses shaped like pineapples, and holding a water pistol that he sprayed straight in my eyes. “I’m ready to book ’em, Danno!”
Right behind him came Mr. Banks, moving at a cautious shuffle on account of the flippers.
A snorkel dangled from his face, a turtle floatie clung to his hips, and in his hand he held a large conch which he held up now.
“Damn useful thing,” he said. “You can use it as a horn to summon your tribe… as a purse to hide gold coins… or as a telephone that plays soft ocean sounds to help put you to sleep.”
Cal made a sound that may have been a death rattle, before muttering, “There’s no way of avoiding this, is there? ”
I shook my head. “I’m afraid not. It seems as inevitable as the meteor that wiped out the dinosaurs.”
Cal sighed. “If only it were that painless.”
Mrs. Mulroney patted his shoulder. “Don’t panic, my dear. I’ve sorted out all the luggage logistics. Rashida’s arranging a van. She’s meeting us at the airport in half an hour.”
Cal rubbed his temples. “We haven’t even left the penthouse, and I already need a cocktail and a therapist.”