Page 23 of The Hookup Situation (Billionaire Situation #5)

NICK

I t’s five p.m., and I’m pacing Riverside like a caged animal. Thankfully, this cabin is big, or I might go stir-crazy. I’ve changed my shirt three times, which is ridiculous because we’ll be outdoors at night. But I want this to be perfect, an unforgettable experience.

My phone buzzes with texts from Patterson that I’ve been ignoring.

I can’t deal with his commentary right now, not after the internet decided it was obsessed with my and Julie’s story, which seems to be writing itself.

I’m trying to ignore it and not let it get to me, even though it is.

I want to protect her from my world, keep her away from the bullshit I have to put up with.

Unfortunately, that’s not reality, and it never will be, thanks to who I am.

A knock at the door interrupts my spiral. When I open it, Zane’s standing in jogging pants and a hoodie, holding two beers while wearing a knowing smirk.

“What are you doing here?”

“That’s not the way to greet your bestie,” Zane says, inviting himself inside. “You look like you’re about to have a panic attack.”

“I’m perfectly fine,” I tell him .

“Sure you are.” He hands me the beer. “That’s why you’ve been pacing in front of the window for the last ten minutes.”

I roll my eyes. “How would you know?”

He walks to the oversized windows and points at his four-wheeler. “I’ve been sitting there, watching you.”

“Stalker,” I say.

“Just trying to figure out what’s going on with you,” he says. “With you and Jules.”

I exhale. “Nothing to discuss.”

“Come on.” Zane settles on my couch, kicking his feet up on the coffee table. “I know that look. I wore it when I first got with Autumn. I understand what you’re going through.”

I move into the living room.

He laughs. “You don’t have to admit anything to me. You’re practically my brother. It’s written on your face.”

I take a drink of the beer, noticing it’s a pumpkin one from the local brewery. “It’s really complicated.”

“It always is.” He studies me. “But isn’t that the fun part? Figuring it out?”

We exchange smiles.

“Meeting Autumn changed my life. Coming here was one of the best things I’ve ever done. I learned a lot about what matters and doesn’t. You’ll figure it out. A Banks always gets what he wants.”

This makes me chuckle. “Fuck off.”

“Oh, it’s true though. It’s something I’ve always admired about you. If you want something, you commit and work until you have it.” He drinks. “Even my fiancée.”

“You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?” I ask, shaking my head.

“Not on your fucking life,” he says, cocky as hell.

“You’re a bastard,” I say.

“Yeah, I might be, but at least I didn’t have your sloppy seconds.

But,” he continues, “thank you. I’m so glad you saved me from marrying her.

If all that horrible shit hadn’t gone down, I wouldn’t have come here and met Autumn.

It was because of you and her that I left.

I mourned our friendship more than my relationship. ”

“I did too,” I admit.

“It’s like you took one for the team,” he says.

“I never thought of it like that. I’m not a victim, but she took advantage of me when I was at my weakest,” I tell him.

“I know. And while I give you shit, I’ve forgiven you. You know that, right? I’m not pissed. I like giving you a hard time because it makes you squirm like a little bitch. But I meant what I said earlier; you’re like a brother to me. I’m thrilled that you’re here. I’ve missed you.”

“You have such a great way of showing it,” I say.

“Piss off,” he says, chugging the rest of his beer. “What are your plans tonight?”

“I want to do something special for Julie. Stargazing maybe? Any place with water?”

Zane’s eyes light up. “I have the perfect location. But you’ll need my side-by-side to get there.

There’s a trail behind my house that cuts into another trail that has this natural-fed lake from a spring.

I found it and brought Autumn there once.

Other people know about it, apparently, but it’s secluded. You’d hear someone coming.”

He pulls out his phone, showing me a map.

“Wow. That’s perfect.”

“Park at Hollow Manor, and I’ll lend you my side-by-side.

I’ll park it at the trailhead with the keys in it when I get home.

” He stands, then pauses. “It doesn’t surprise me that you have a thing for her.

She’s exactly like my wife. They could be the same person.

Actually, Julie is sassier, which is just what you need.

But be careful with her, okay? I can’t clean up your mess if you make one. ”

“I don’t plan on ruining this.”

“I know, but she’s Autumn’s best friend, and she’s a really good person.

Just don’t play the usual games you play.

And know that Jules won’t leave Cozy Creek.

That coffee shop is her family’s legacy.

Make sure you understand what you’re getting yourself into.

It’s a big commitment, and I don’t know if you’ve gotten over that dating for thirty days and drop them flat bullshit. ”

It makes me chuckle. “I’m working on it.

We’ve talked about it. The two of us are on the same page.

On October thirty-first, we’ll decide what happens.

We’ll end it there or continue seeing one another.

Clean break. Clear ending. I’m spending the next few weeks discovering who I am and figuring out if she is the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.

I’m tired of games. I want a reason to live my life. I’ve been miserable,” I admit.

“Hey, I get it,” he says. “Last year, when I arrived, I sat in silence for two days. I remember staring up at the sky, wondering if that was all there was to life. I felt … lost. Then Autumn found me. Being here changed me, and it looks like it’s changing you too.

Mom always said the mountain air could cure anything. ”

“I miss your mom,” I say quietly.

“I do too,” he tells me. “You know, I’ve found letters that she wrote for me, hidden all over the house.”

“Wow,” I say. “I wish I had letters from Eden.”

“Your sister would be happy for you,” he says. “Eden would love that you’re here, enjoying the pumpkins.”

I feel that burn in my nose, and I clench my jaw. Sometimes, when I think about her, it catches me.

“Moving away from the city worked for me. I’m happier, closer to the slopes,” he admits. “You can make anything work, Nick.”

“Yeah,” I tell him. “Or maybe I’ll retire early and pick up a painting hobby.”

Zane snickers. “Yeah, because if I recall, we had a pact that we’d be friends forever and that we’d raise our kids together.”

I stare at him. “Are you telling me Autumn is pregnant?”

Laughter roars out of him. “No, not yet. Hopefully soon. She’s sent her book out to publishers, and she’s hoping it gets picked up. Seeing how that goes first.”

“Wait, you’re trying?” I whisper. “I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks. I’m not trying to convince you of shit, but I’d love you to be here as long as you’re happy. Snowboarding season is incredible. I hit the slopes every damn day. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in Cozy Creek. During the winter, it transforms into a little Christmas town.”

I smile, letting out a deep breath. “You’re living your dream.”

“I am.” Zane lifts his hand and places it on my shoulder. “Don’t fuck this up. Got it?”

“It’s funny that everyone keeps telling me that,” I say.

“Falling in love looks good on you,” he singsongs as he sees himself out.

“Don’t even knock when you show up at Hollow Manor.

A side-by-side will be waiting with the keys, fully gassed and ready to go.

I’ll even set up wood in the firepit so it’s ready for you to start when you arrive.

Bring more supplies with you. A few blankets, towels, a lantern, and extra firewood.

It has an incredible view of the Milky Way that reflects off the water. It’s special.”

“Sounds like it.”

“I’m rooting for you.”

“Thanks. Also, can you keep this to yourself? I wasn’t supposed to tell you shit.”

“Hmm, the only thing I remember discussing was a place to look at the stars. That’s about it.” I shrug.

“Thank you.”

After he leaves, I spend the next hour planning a date night by a lake.

After ransacking the cabin, I pack supplies into the back of the Range Rover.

Blankets, tons of firewood, dinner from the diner, along with a cooler with champagne and strawberries.

A few condoms, just in case. I even pack string lights that run on batteries that I found in a drawer.

It’s everything I could possibly need. I take the ten-minute drive to Hollow Manor, transfer the supplies into the back of the side-by-side, then patiently wait for her to arrive.

At seven fifteen on the dot, the car delivers Julie. She steps out, wearing jeans, a slinky blouse, a leather jacket, and boots. Her hair falls in waves around her shoulders. Her eyes are blindfolded .

I’m starstruck, looking at how damn gorgeous she is with those kissable lips.

I move toward her and grab her hands.

“Hi,” she says, suddenly shy.

“Hi.” I study her, wondering what she’s thinking right now as the car drives away. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you. I wish I could see you …” She gestures at herself. “I can change if this isn’t appropriate.”

“What you’re wearing is perfect. Classy.” I pull her with me, holding her by my side. “Trust me?”

“Yes,” she says, and I pull her with me, helping her move forward. “We’re alone, right? Like, I’m not going to be in front of a crowd of people when I take this blindfold off, right?”

“We’re completely alone,” I tell her.

“Great,” she whispers. “I hear the wind through the trees. Where are we?”

I chuckle. “It’s a surprise. But you’re going to lift your leg and sit, okay?”

She nods, and I help her onto the side-by-side, then climb in beside her.

Immediately, her hand reaches for me, and she holds me tight as I reach across her to buckle her in.