Page 27 of The Hookup Situation (Billionaire Situation #5)

“You’ve already got me, Pumpkin.”

More of his friends walk up to chat, and Nick pulls me away.

We refill our drinks at a giant cauldron that’s lit up and smoking.

The purple punch smells like bad decisions, but right now, I welcome it.

We both gulp it down, and I take a moment to notice how many fall decorations are in the house.

Autumn must’ve spent all morning decorating.

There are at least fifty pumpkins in different shapes and sizes.

“Do you think she did that while he was sleeping last night?”

Nick chuckles. “So, when he woke up, it was like the Autumn Santa visited.”

“Exactly. But he was born on the first day of fall, so that would be fitting.”

Nick glances around, taking it all in. “I think there are at least a hundred pumpkins in here.”

“That many? No way.” I begin counting. “Okay, maybe I have pumpkin blindness. I just counted eighteen on the mantel.”

Nick leans in close and points across the room to a serious-looking man by the window. “Oh, that’s my older brother, Dyson.”

Dyson turns just as Nick says his name. His blue eyes glance at me, like he misses nothing.

“Wow, he’s intimidating.”

“I know,” Nick mutters .

Seconds later, Dyson’s moving toward us.

“You must be Julie.” His handshake is businesslike, but firm. “Nick said you own a coffee shop.”

“Family business. Three generations.”

“Profitable?”

“Dyson, come on,” Nick warns. “Leave your finance bullshit in New York.”

“It’s fine,” I say, grabbing Nick’s hand. “It’s not possible to stay in business for eighty-one years without turning a profit. What do you think?”

Something shifts in Dyson’s expression. Is it respect maybe? I hope.

He smirks. “You’re better than his usual type.”

“Which is?” I can’t help asking. “If you’re going to mention it, I’d like to know what I’m being compared to.”

“He’s never found a woman who was on a level playing field intellectually.”

I’m surprised he answered. “You believe I am?”

“Yeah. At least, I hope you are, or it won’t work out,” Dyson says, and I’m not sure if it’s supposed to be a warning or not. “Anyway, good chat.”

Dyson walks away, and Nick shakes his head.

“He can’t help his honesty, even if it’s brutal.”

“Lots of reality checks tonight,” I mutter.

We refill our drinks and escape outside to the firepit. The cool evening breeze feels amazing after being in the crowded house that’s full of conversations that feel too real at times. We both let out a sigh, then chuckle.

“This is better,” I say as he settles on a log bench.

The fire crackles, casting shadows across Nick’s face. He pulls me onto his lap, and I lean against him.

“Much better,” he says, wrapping his arms around my waist, his chin leaning on my shoulder. “Sorry about my brothers. Neither of them has a filter, but they mean well. ”

I reposition myself where I can see his honey-brown eyes. “Was what Dyson said true? About your usual type?”

Nick studies me in the firelight. “Yeah. I think it is true.”

“Is that a warning he gives to everyone?” I ask.

“Not that one,” he admits. “That was a new revelation.”

We sit in the silence, watching the flames flicker upward.

“You live like you’re happy,” Nick says. “It inspires me.”

“I am happy,” I admit. “Right now is all we have, all we’re guaranteed. Are you happy?”

He leans closer, and I think he’s going to kiss me when an angry voice cuts through the moment.

“I don’t give a shit about Kendall!” Patterson storms past us, phone pressed to his ear, pacing near the tree line.

“No, she’s Satan. If she’s there, I won’t be!

I don’t care if I have to play. I don’t want her at any of my games.

I don’t want to be anywhere near her. Not after what she did to Jameson. ”

He sees us, waves apologetically, but keeps pacing.

“Addison, you just don’t get it—” His voice fades as he moves farther away.

“Who’s Kendall?” I ask, noticing Patterson is worked up.

“She’s his brother’s ex-fiancée,” Nick explains, pulling me back against him. “His sister, Addison, just moved back to the city and has been hanging out with Kendall every weekend. They’re basically inseparable.”

“Sounds like drama.”

“Oh, it is. Patterson and Kendall have this weird hate thing. They can’t be in the same room together. It’s been going on for about five years.”

“So, lots of unresolved sexual tension.”

Nick laughs, his chest rumbling against my back. “Don’t let him hear you say that—ever. He’ll lose his shit and crash out.”

“You know what they say when a man doth protest too much …”

“What’s that? ”

“He wants insideth her panties.”

Nick’s still laughing when Harper appears.

“Cake time, soulmates! I’ve been told to grab everyone.”

We ignore the nickname, but we get up.

Patterson continues to argue in the shadows as we head inside. It makes me wonder what the real story is.

“Oh, Kendall is also our coach’s daughter and about seven years younger than him,” he whispers in my ear.

“Oh, damn. This is juicy drama.”

“Or is it moist?” He chuckles.

“Ew, don’t ever say that again,” I tell him as he opens the door for me.

Once we’re back inside, we gather around the table as we sing “Happy Birthday.” Zane and Autumn are wearing their Pumpkin King and Queen crowns, which I’m sure was one hundred percent her idea.

The chocolate cakes Harper brought are arranged beautifully on the counter.

They’re so pretty that they almost shouldn’t be eaten.

Autumn whispers something in Zane’s ear that makes him grin wickedly.

Nick feeds me a bite of cake, and then he leans forward, kissing icing off my lips. It’s not performative. I hum against him.

When he pulls away, he stiffens in front of me.

“Mom?” He stands a little straighter. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

“Surprise!” she says.

My stomach drops. His mother . I’m meeting his mother, and her first impression is that my mouth was locked with her son’s. Not to mention, I’m slightly drunk on purple punch.

“Ambrose wanted to see Zane. A little birdie named Asher told me you were in town, and I wanted to see you. I’ve been worried about you, Nicky, but it seems like you’re doing fine.”

“I am, Mom. I’m doing great. Oh, I want you to meet Julie.”

Her smile is exactly like Nick’s, and I can tell she doesn’t miss details by the way she’s studying me. She’s elegant in a way that makes me very aware of my flushed cheeks and messy hair.

“She’s my girlfriend,” Nick says so casually that I almost believe it myself.

“We’re just friends,” I blurt, the purple punch making me too honest. I don’t want to lie to his mother under these circumstances.

“Yeah?” Nick’s voice carries something I can’t identify.

The room seems to pause. Asher clears his throat dramatically, like he overheard our entire conversation.

“Attention, everyone! Quick vote!” He’s grinning mischievously. “Who here thinks Julie is Nick’s girlfriend?”

I watch as every single hand goes up. Autumn, Blaire, Zane, Dyson, Asher, Patterson from across the room, and even people I haven’t officially met cast a vote.

“Great! Who thinks they’re just friends?”

My hand rises alone in a sea of smiles.

“Thanks for participating.” Asher smirks.

I open my mouth but can’t find words.

“Well, whatever you are, congratulations.” Nick’s mom smiles, and I immediately relax. “Autumn raves about your chocolate croissants. Says they’re the best in Colorado.”

“She’s too kind,” I manage. My voice is much steadier than I feel. “The secret’s in my great-great-grandma’s dough recipe.”

“We’re staying at our cabin through the holidays. You two should come to dinner soon.”

“You’re not going back to New York?” Nick sounds shocked.

“Honey, I like the city as much as you do,” she says with the perfect amount of sarcasm.

Zane’s dad calls her over, and she gives Nick a hug. “Please don’t be a stranger.”

“Okay,” he tells her with a smile. “I won’t.”

After his parents leave, the party continues, but I feel like the ground shifted while I wasn’t paying attention. Everyone sees something that I keep denying. Or maybe they know what I’m too afraid to admit.

Before I can speak, Blaire appears, definitely tipsy now. “There you are! Jules, we’re doing shots!”

“I think I’ve had enough purple punch,” I tell her with a laugh, not wanting to take a trip to Wastedville tonight.

“Lightweight,” she teases, then looks between us. “Oh, am I interrupting something?”

“No,” I say, but Nick’s hand slowly finds mine, and the slightest touch from him causes goose bumps to trail up my arm.

“Actually,” he says, levelheaded, “I think we’re going to head out.”

“Already?” Autumn appears, carrying empty cake plates. “We’ve barely seen you.”

“Because you’re popular,” Nick points out.

And I’m happy for the escape, especially with him.

Nick tells Zane, Patterson, and his brothers goodbye.

I follow Autumn to the sink, where she sets down the plates.

She turns to me and gives me a tight hug. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Stop,” I whisper, but I can’t stop grinning.

“This looks good on you.”

“What?” I ask.

“Love.”

Before I can say anything, Nick comes over and slides his hand in mine. “Ready?”

“Yes, so ready,” I say, happy he can read me so easily.

“Have fun, you two!” Autumn tells us.

We move through the house and walk out onto the porch.

“Better?” he asks.

I nod.

“Zane and Autumn rented limos to drive everyone back to Cozy Creek or to the resort, where several people are staying,” Nick tells me, leading me toward one.

“What about your Range Rover?” I ask .

“I’ll come get it tomorrow.”

We climb into the back of the car, and Nick wraps his arm around me as we drive away.

“This feels like the twilight zone, doesn’t it?” I ask.

“Kinda, but in a good way.” He glances at me, his face illuminated by passing streetlights.

The truth sits between us as we stare at one another, and then our lips crash together.

At first, our kisses are soft, lingering, but they quickly turn to desperation.

We have a little over a month to figure this out, but time is flying by.

And all I can think right now is how I don’t know how I’m going to give him up.

Nick Banks has quickly become my new addiction.