Page 26 of The Hookup Situation (Billionaire Situation #5)

JULIE

T he house is filled with voices that echo from the open front door. My stomach does somersaults as we climb the steps to the porch of Hollow Manor. This black mansion with the tall Gothic windows was the center of every spooky story and triple dog dare when I was a teenager.

Our fingers interlock, and Nick gives me an encouraging grin as we step inside. A group of people turns toward us, and he squeezes my hand.

“Relax,” he whispers.

It’s like he feels me tensing. I’m sure he does. Unlike him, I’m not used to attention like this. He’s relaxed, calm even, completely unaffected. I somewhat feel like a fish out of water.

As he leads me through the living room, I search for Autumn and Zane, knowing they’re at the pumpkin patch in town. She did that purposely to give everyone time to arrive, hoping to surprise Zane. I think he knows she’s planning this, and he’s playing along to appease her.

I scan around the room and don’t see Blaire either. She’s probably befriending every new person she meets because that’s just how she is .

Blaire doesn’t stay a stranger for long with anyone, which has been both a blessing and a curse throughout the life of our friendship.

As we stroll toward the kitchen, a guy rushes over and pulls me into a tight hug. My feet lift from the ground. He smells like expensive cologne and trouble.

“Do I know you?” I ask, knowing I’ve never seen him in my life. That fact doesn’t seem to matter.

“Put her down,” Nick says sternly. “Right now.”

I’m returned to the ground in seconds.

“I’m Asher. Nick’s favorite brother,” he announces. They have the same color eyes. “And you’re Julie.”

Nick places his arm around me, and I like the feeling of him close and claiming me in front of everyone.

Asher grins. “Wow. Sparks already. You’re perfect together.”

“Thanks,” I offer with a chuckle, trying to match his energy. “But I don’t need your flattery.”

“Oh, it’s not,” he says. “I’m genuinely happy to meet the woman my brother will marry.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Nick mutters. “Please don’t listen to him. Asher, please don’t.”

“Whatever. You’re a changed man. Look at you. Practically glowing.”

I glance at Nick. “Is that true? Have I changed you?”

“Oh, sweetheart, change happened the moment I met you,” he says.

My breath catches, and I almost melt into a puddle on the floor.

“Yeah?” I ask.

“Abso-fucking-lutely.”

I remember the night so clearly. Our conversation that night changed me too.

It shook me out of the haze that Craig had put me in, made me realize I deserved better.

After meeting Nick and learning men like him actually existed, I promised myself I’d not settle again.

And when Craig came crawling back, Nick appeared like a cockblocking angel.

“I can’t believe it’s almost been a year,” I say, breaking myself from my thoughts.

Asher’s brows furrow. “A year?”

“We’ve known each other since last October,” I explain.

Nick glances at me. “Don’t tell him our secrets.”

I love that cocky smile that plays on his lips.

Asher looks like he’s trying to piece timelines together. “How?”

“Don’t worry about it,” Nick mutters.

His mouth falls open. “The blind items that were posted about you …”

“What’s a blind item?” I ask.

“Ahh, Julie, Julie, Julie. Y ou were the whole reason my dear, secretive , loving brother chose to visit Cozy Creek. All this time, I thought it was because he wanted to be close to Zane. This makes sooo much more sense.” Asher glances between us. “Sooooo much sense!”

“You’re being dramatic,” Nick tells him, rolling his eyes.

“Leave them alone,” Billie Calloway says, looping her arm in Asher’s.

Her dark bob is perfect, as always, and she’s dressed to kill. I met her last year at Zane and Autumn’s wedding. This woman is gorgeously intimidating with piercing blue eyes and a perfect resting bitch face.

“Nice to see you again, Julie. Beautiful dress. Is that 1994 Dior?” she asks.

“I believe so,” I tell her with a laugh. “It was a random steal from my mom’s closet a few years ago. Honestly, I had no idea it was anything special. I just thought the waistline was cute.”

“It’s a great find, and it looks incredible on you,” she says.

“Thank you.” My confidence instantly rises.

“Oh, Billie is my fiancée,” Asher announces .

“Oh! Wow! Congrats! That’s amazing,” I tell them both. “You’re a very lucky guy, Asher.”

“The luckiest.” He meets her eyes, then steals a quick kiss.

They do that thing where they communicate without speaking. I notice the way Asher looks at her, how his whole demeanor changes.

“So, how long have you known each other?”

“Over a decade,” Billie answers, then places her hand on his cheek. “I hated him for most of it.”

“A total waste of time, if you ask me,” Asher says, and they kiss again.

They’re cute together, totally meant for one another.

“You know, I was always supposed to get married first,” Nick says playfully.

“You still have time,” Asher tells him with a pat on the back. “Considering we set the date for early spring, I think that gives you seven months. Almost enough time to have a baby if you wanted.”

My mouth falls open.

Billie grins. “That’s very true.”

Just as Nick tries to deliver his rebuttal, a guy with messy blond hair, light-blue eyes, and contagious laughter bear-hugs Nick from behind.

Nick turns and lights up with excitement when he sees who it is. “Patterson! What the hell are you doing here?”

“Autumn invited me, and I had a few days off. Thought I’d crash with you if that’s cool.”

“Whatever you need,” Nick offers. “The house I rented is huge. You’re more than welcome to stay, even though I might not be there much.”

Patterson’s light-blue eyes lock in on mine. “Ooh la la.”

“This is my girlfriend , Julie,” Nick says, his arm conveniently sliding around my waist. “This is Patterson. We used to play hockey together on the Angels. ”

“If things don’t work out with you two, call me,” Patterson says, barely able to get his words out.

Nick swats him away. “I’ll literally kick your ass.”

The front door opens and pulls our attention away.

This time, it’s Harper with a bulky, tattooed guy standing beside her like he’s her bodyguard.

I notice the ring on her finger and how they look at one another and know it’s more than that.

When Harper spots Billie, they rush toward one another to hug.

When they pull away, she sees me and Nick and smiles.

“Wow,” Harper says, glancing between us. Her eyes unfocus. “ Whoa. ”

“What?” Nick asks.

“Forever is right in front of you,” she says.

“Love doesn’t follow rules. Love doesn’t have expiration dates.

The third time isn’t just a charm; it’s destiny correcting itself, righting its wrong.

I see two paths, but they both lead to the same place—home.

You’ve already found what you’re looking for. ”

“And what are we looking for?” I ask.

“Endgame.”

“Did you seriously just give me a love prophecy?” Nick blurts out.

“I can’t help it!” She grins as she glances between us. “Right now, I feel like I should be saying congratulations.”

Everyone is staring at us, and my cheeks heat.

The energy builds, and my head spins.

Blaire’s whistle pierces through my thoughts. “They’re here! Everyone, hide!”

“There you are!” I yell toward her, and she smiles before I lose her in the crowd.

People scramble in every direction. Some dive behind couches and duck into side rooms. Nick grabs my hand, pulling me into the coat closet and pressing us together in the narrow, dark space.

“This is cozy,” he whispers against my ear, his breath warm on my neck .

“Shh.” I try to sound stern.

His hands are on my waist, and we’re so close that I swear I can feel his heart beating against my chest.

Before I can tell him to behave, his mouth finds mine. Suddenly, I forget we’re hiding and the house is full of people. My hands tangle in his hair as he presses me against the wall, kissing me like tomorrow will never come, like we have all the time in the world.

“Surprise!” The room bursts into muffled cheers, but we’re too lost in one another to break out of it.

Seconds later, the door opens, and I hear Zane laugh. Nick’s lips are on my neck, and my hands are still twisted in his hair.

“Surprise,” Nick says, not even slightly embarrassed. “Happy birthday, buddy.”

“Thanks,” Zane says.

Autumn appears behind him, laughing. She hands him their coats, and he hangs them at the opposite end before closing the door.

I collapse against Nick’s chest, laughing.

“You make my heart race,” I whisper.

“It’s mutual, babe.” He steals a few more kisses.

“Does Harper usually give love prophecies?” I ask before he tugs my bottom lip into his mouth and sucks.

“Yes, and she’s never wrong.”

His words force streams of electricity through me, and there’s a part buried deep inside that wants her to be right. I can’t deny that.

“We should join everyone,” he says.

“Yeah,” I tell him, knowing we can’t stay in here all night.

We lost control, and I don’t know how to feel about that.

He reaches for the door and opens it, and the two of us step out.

I glance at myself in the golden-framed mirror on the wall.

My lipstick survived, thanks to the super-stay formula, but my lips are swollen, and Nick’s hair is messy from my fingers running through it.

Everyone gives us knowing looks, but there’s no judgment, only support .

Spooky music plays in the background, and the lights are lowered. The ambience is perfect and makes me excited for the huge costume party they’re throwing on Halloween.

Zane and Autumn offer us drinks, and we take them.

“Were you at least surprised?” I ask Zane.

“Not even a little. She’s been trying to return last year’s favor since I threw her the best surprise party of the century,” he says, smiling at her.

It’s so easy to see how in love they are.

“At least act surprised,” Autumn says, feeding him a nacho. “One day, I’m going to get you so hard.”