Page 139 of The Elusive Billionaire

“Newsflash, Bethany. Grey has never loved anyone but his family. He’s never allowed himself to. He was never going to fall for you simply because he wouldn’t allow it. Savvy took him by surprise. She challenged him. Forced him to open up. Made him feel. She’s the only one who could’ve gotten to him because they’re endgame. They’re meant to be together, so you slithering in and attempting to break them up says so much more about your crappy morals than it would ever say about them. I gave you the benefit of doubt after you tried to bid on Braxton, but this? Actively working against happiness is a step too far. I can’t even look at you.”

My best friend stomps out of the restroom. Two seconds later, she reopens the door. “Savvy. Let’s go.” She’s still figuring out how to control her protective instincts while her personality screams scared-first-time teacher on the first day of school, and it all comes from a place of pure, unfiltered love.

As bad as I feel for Bethany, she made a decision, and now she’ll have to live with the consequences of her actions.

“There is always a way to right a wrong, Bethany. Admitting you’re wrong and trying to change shows more about your character than an old Gucci dress ever will.”

Tears fill her eyes, but I leave her and her decisions in the bathroom that smells like disinfectant.

“Can you believe the nerve on that girl?” Madi is fired up and ready for a fight. Maybe she’s having a boy—all that extra testosterone would account for her feistiness lately.

All I feel is overwhelming sadness because this is what Riley does—he infiltrates happiness and infects it with his poison. You hit rock bottom before you ever feel his bite.

“It’s not all her fault, Madi. Riley is a snake dressed up like the Easter Bunny. I don’t believe she intended to hurt anyone.”

“You’re a better woman than I am,” she grumbles. Her eyes narrow as she glares over my shoulder, and I know Bethany just exited the restroom.

“Leave her alone, Mads. I know what it’s like to be in her shoes.”

“You’re nothing like her.”

“Maybe not now. But when I was a kid? I was so desperate for love, I was willing to go against every red flag my intuition threw at me. Riley has a way of making you feel safe, loved, and heard. Then he uses it against you the first time you step out of line.”

“So you’re just going to let her get away with it?”

I catch sight of Bethany’s slumped shoulders as she weaves her way out of Blissy’s. “Sometimes the greatest punishment is our own conscience.”

Madi grumbles unintelligibly, so I step in line to order. “Where’s Brax?” We need a change of subject, and Madi can talk about her husband for hours.

“He and Grey are setting up a Discreet Daily Deeds booth at the fairgrounds. They’re going to let everyone submit some wishes, and they’ll grant as many as they can.”

Freaking Braxton could not be a nicer guy. The man spends millions of dollars every year doling out anonymous good deeds.

“That’s really nice of him,” I say.

“Them. It’s really nice of them.” She smiles, and it’s her mischievous one that reminds me of her grandfather. “They’re also working on recipes for the bake-off and the chili for charity events, while campaigning for most eligible bachelor votes.”

Good Lord. “Being named the elusive billionaire in the national news wasn’t enough for Grey?”

“Not when you’re on the line, it’s not. Sav, do you know that while he’s campaigning, he’s also asking everyone in town for their favorite memories with you? The guy is cramming like this is a final exam for a class he never attended. He’s all in.”

“He’s just a sore loser. He’d?—”

“If you’re about to say he’d be this way no matter who the sweetheart was, I’m going to stop you right there because I know Grey well enough to know that he wouldn’t be anywhere near this event if it weren’t for you. The guy lives for work, and yet he’s spent all week learning the story of Savvy Monroe.”

“He—”

“Loves you.”

“You really need to stop interrupting me. That new habit of yours is really annoying.”

The line moves forward, and I greet Blissy with a hug before ordering a coffee and one of her specialty tea bags to go for later.

When I first moved to Happiness, I thought the town-wide battle of coffee versus tea was a myth. After living here for ten years, I’ve yet to pick a definitive side because I’m not looking to make any enemies and someone is always watching.

I don’t need to give anyone ammunition to use against me come January’s festival.

“Did you hear me?” Madi asks, touching my arm.