That sobered her. “Like learning how not to get involved with someone you shouldn’t?”
Charlotte’s voice gentled. “I think that ship has sailed, darling.”
“So what do I do?”
There was a pause before her friend said, “You’re in it now, and so is he. Honestly? Maybe you should play it through.”
“What?”
“You can’t get out of the situation you’re in, so maybe you should be building a relationship strong enough to weather the storm you’re headed for. If you want him long-term, that is.”
Holly’s steps slowed to a stop.
“They say love conquers all.”
Could it conquer this?
“I can’t imagine him falling in love with me in a few months.”
“Then you don’t see the amazing person I do,” Charlotte said, her voice earnest. “Instead of worrying you’re not Lillian enough for him, why not show him how much better the real Holly would be?”
Win him over. Build something with him. Something real.
It was a dangerous, tempting game. If she followed Charlotte’s advice, everything would be so much worse if it blew up in her face. If this all went wrong, it wouldn’t be only her company that was ruined but her heart as well.
But what if she’s right?
She closed her eyes and remembered his hands on her body. She’d wanted so much more than that brief embrace. Perhaps she should stop thinking of Julian as someone she had to guard against and let herself believe that maybe, just maybe, they could become more than their companies. More than a transaction based on dollar bills and a marriage of convenience.
“Still there?” Charlotte said.
“Yeah.”
If Lillian finds a way to get enough cash to avoid cutting staff, we won’t need Julian.
Then she’d stand before him as herself. He’d lose out on Lillian’s inheritance, but maybe by the time they crossed that bridge, he’d think she was worth it.
What are the odds of that?
Not good, judging by her past.
But tempting all the same.
“You just gave me a lot to think about.”
“It’s my superpower. Just stay strong. You got this. Don’t get us all fired.”
“I promise to do my best.”
“Ms. Lillian,” a voice called.
For a second, she ignored it, thinking it wasn’t for her, before she realized what that name meant.
“Gotta go,” she said into the phone as she spun to see Sylvie on the patio, waving to get her attention.
“Good luck. And send me updates!”
She disconnected the call and hurried over to Sylvie.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“Mr. Worth is here to see you, miss.”
“Why are you being so formal?” she whispered.
“Your father and fiancé are waiting in the living room,” she whispered back. “They can see us.”
She groaned, her hand flying to the messy bun her hair was in. At least she’d put in contacts today. She was growing rather used to the ease of them.
“Thanks for the warning,” she said.
“Go see what he wants.”
Nodding, she stepped around the maid and opened the French doors that led to the living room.
“Hello,” she said.
Julian had his back to her but turned at the sound of her voice. He’d been speaking with her father, and by the red splotches on his face, John was not pleased with the conversation.
“There you are,” he said, crossing the distance to her as if he couldn’t stay away.
He kissed her cheek, his hand sliding down her back, and she tried not to show how much she enjoyed the caress. They weren’t alone, and she refused to give her father any more ammunition to use against Julian.
“I’ll leave you two to talk,” John said, his voice brittle.
“Think about what I said,” Julian replied, his voice light but even she heard the steel underneath.
John inclined his head and stalked away.
“What was that about?”
“I need to play hardball over some financial records,” he said.
Her stomach dropped.
What records? What is he up to now?
This was about avoiding a layoff, right?
She swallowed hard. “I’m sorry you’re having trouble.”
Truer words have never been spoken.
“I think you guys might have needed some better accounting over the years, but we’ll sort through it.” He turned her toward him. “Business wasn’t the only reason I came here, though.”
“Oh?” she said with a grin.
He kissed her, pulling her close as her arms wrapped around him.
“Mm,” he said against her lips. “That’s a much better hello.”
“Couldn’t agree more,” she whispered.
Grinning, he gave her one more quick kiss before releasing her. “Actually, I need to cancel our date tonight.”
“Oh?”
“I have to drive upstate. Not sure what time I’ll be back. Can we reschedule for tomorrow?”
“Upstate? To that inn you bought?”
He nodded. “My foster parents are having some trouble with their books. Pete insists on doing them himself, but the man has never been good with numbers.”
“So you, a billionaire CEO, drive hours out of your way to do them for him?”
He just shrugged.
Her heart skipped a beat. “Want me to go with you?”
The words were impulsive, but she didn’t regret the offer.
He hesitated long enough that she drew back. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude. Tomorrow is fine. Text me when you’re back.”
“I won’t be staying over, but I’ll probably be there through dinner.” He ran a hand down his face. “Come.”
She arched a brow. “That’s what I call an enthusiastic invitation.”
He chuckled. “Yeah. Sorry. I’ve never taken anyone to meet Judy and Pete.”
“No pressure,” she said, holding up her hands in peace.
“No, I mean…” He paused, glancing out the French doors. “I mean, come with me. They’re as close as I have to family and you’re my fiancée. They should meet you before the wedding.”
A glow spread through her. “Then I’d love to meet them.”
He nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Might be a late night. Do you need to grab anything?”
“Let me change into something more appropriate and grab a sweater,” she said. “I’ll be right back.”
Leaving him in the living room, she sprinted for the stairs.
And tried not to think too hard about what it meant to meet the people who were most important to Julian.
…
Do I know what I’m doing?
Julian rubbed his jaw. Of course, the answer was no. When he’d come here, he hadn’t meant to do anything more than follow up with John and reschedule Lillian. Now his future father-in-law was pissed off at him and he was whisking his fiancée out of the city to meet the only people who had ever given a damn about raising him.
Smooth.
So much for having a plan and sticking to it.
I’ll need to deal with John eventually.
And he’d told Lillian the truth. He should introduce her. He just hadn’t anticipated doing it so soon.
It’s time alone with Lillian. Roll with it.
He tugged off his tie, balling it into his pocket. But what if Judy didn’t like her? Or what if Pete made his objections about Julian’s marriage plans clear?
Is that what normal people feel when they bring someone home?
This nauseous, anxious feeling was new for him. Much to Judy’s annoyance, he’d never taken anyone up there. That had always seemed…
Serious. Permanent.
Real in a way he’d never wanted his relationships to be.
He’d always believed he was happier alone. It was
safer that way. Less chance of being used for his wealth or lied to for his connections.
He’d learned that lesson over and over since his first big success. His college girlfriend, who’d dumped him for a man with a better pedigree, had shown up on his doorstep, sweet and contrite when she’d read about the success of his first startup. Then there’d been the social media influencer who’d tried to use him to boost her following. Of course, neither came close to the betrayal by his first business partner that had set his venture back a year.
They’d been hard lessons to learn but necessary ones. In fact, they were part of the reasons a mercenary marriage held such appeal. Everyone knew what they were getting out of it, and no one got hurt.
But with Lillian, he was getting more out of the bargain than he’d ever intended, and life was…
Better. It’s better with her in it.
And he didn’t have a damned idea how to feel about that.
Chapter Ten
The house perched on the hill was a gorgeous bed and breakfast, decorated with delicate gingerbread lattice and Victorian peaked roofs. Its wraparound porch boasted a handful of rocking chairs staring out over the valley view. Just breathing in the air loosened the tension in her shoulders.
“Beautiful,” she said, closing the car door.
Julian tossed her a smile. “Judy calls it her little piece of heaven.”
Together they left the busy gravel parking area and climbed the painted steps to the front door.
While he might appear relaxed to a casual observer, to her there was no hiding the clench of his jaw and the stiffness of his spine.
Is he afraid of what these people will think of me?
Her own peace drained away. She’d thought there was nothing to lose on this trip, but maybe she was wrong.
Do I care if they like me?
She glanced at the wooden door, afraid of what it would mean if she did.
“Lillian, this might—” he said right as the door opened.
“Julian!” Bright light flooded from the house as a small, gray-haired woman appeared in the entrance. She threw her arms around Julian without hesitation, forcing him to stoop to catch her.
Holly shuffled back a step as the scene unfolded. The woman wore a smile a mile wide while Julian accepted the affection with a soft expression on his face.
“How are you, Judy?” he asked when he finally straightened.
“A hell of a lot better now that you’re here,” she replied. “You know how Pete gets with the numbers.”
“I’ll get everything cleared up,” he promised.
“I knew you would. And I’ve got your favorite room all made up as a thank you.”
“Sorry, Judy. We can’t stay. I’ve got some appointments tomorrow.”
Judy’s face fell for a second before her attention swung to Holly.
“You can’t rush a girl off when she’s only just arrived,” Judy said. “It’s a long drive up here.” She stepped closer and took Holly’s hands. “And who might you be, my dear?”
“My fiancée, Lillian,” Julian answered before she could.
Judy dropped her hands, a delighted gasp escaping her. “I’ve wanted to meet you ever since we got the wedding invitation in the mail. I never dreamed my Julian would settle down.”
“Er, it’s not what you think,” Holly said, glancing at her companion for help. But he just watched her with an inscrutable expression on his face.
“My father is going into business with Julian,” she said, shifting from foot to foot. “We’re uniting the families.”
Judy nodded. “I heard,” she said. “Well, no matter. Let’s get you two inside. Pete’s in his study, Julian. Why don’t you go get business out of the way, and I’ll give Lillian the tour?”
Julian pinned her with a hard stare. “Just go easy on the childhood stories.”
“Who me?” Judy asked. “You know I can be trusted.”
He just shook his head in reply, pressing a kiss to Judy’s forehead before heading off down the hall, passing a few smiling guests on his way.
“Come on, lamb. Let’s get you something hot to drink.”
Dutifully, she trailed after her hostess.
“This place is incredible,” she said as they drifted through elegant sitting rooms. Warmth vibrated from every nook and cranny of the building. Children’s laughter floated in from the living room as Judy paused to check on two older women drinking tea by the window.
“Aren’t you kind,” she said when they continued on their way. “Keeping this place in order has been my mission for over ten years.”
“It looks like a very successful business,” she complimented.
Judy looked over her hotel with pride. “It wasn’t always, you know. But I suppose that counts as telling tales.”
“I won’t tell if you don’t.”
Her guide laughed, ushering her into a cozy kitchen. The scent of cookies lingered in the air, and mixing bowls filled the old farm sink. But still, the room was bright and welcoming with its large wooden table taking up the center of the space. It was easy to imagine families gathering around it to share a meal.
“That boy never wants anyone to know about his good deeds,” Judy said.
“What do you mean?” she asked as she took a seat at the table.
Judy bustled around brewing pot of tea. “If you’re his fiancée, you must know how humble he gets. Never wanting the credit for being kind.”
She leaned forward and crossed her arms on the table. “He doesn’t talk about his past much,” she said.
Judy smiled. “Hard man to get to know, isn’t he?”
“You have no idea.”
That won her a laugh. “Oh, trust me. Pete and I understand exactly what you mean. We took in kids for years, but there was always something about Julian. He kept himself apart even as a child.”
“Sounds familiar.”
“He always knew his own mind, even when he was too young to do anything about it. When he first got here, I kept running out of apples. Couldn’t figure it out until I realized he was stealing them to give to the other kids. Didn’t trust where his next meal was coming from in those days.”
Her heart cracked.
“It’s probably why he helps keep some of the food shelters in the city stocked.”
She blinked. “He does what?”
Judy swung around. “Surely he told you that.”
She shook her head.
“That boy.” Judy sighed. “How does he expect you to fall hopelessly in love with him if he won’t give you a reason?” She walked over to the table with two cups of tea and held one out.
“Thank you,” she said as she accepted the cup. “But I don’t want to give you the wrong impression. I’m not in love with him.”
“Of course not, pet,” Judy said as she sat. Reaching over, she patted Holly’s hand. “But if you’d give him a chance, you might find that can change.”
That’s what I’m afraid of.
The more she learned about Julian, the more she wanted to know. In hindsight, coming out here with him might not have been the best idea she’d ever had.
But something was changing. This wasn’t about buying Lillian time anymore. If she was honest, it wasn’t all about the companies, either. She’d just…
Wanted to spend time with him.
And she didn’t know what to do about it.
“We got Julian when he was sixteen. By then, he was just running down the clock to adulthood. He didn’t want a family and didn’t want us bothering him.” Judy chuckled. “Unfortunately for him, I’ve never met a nut I couldn’t crack.”
“Is that why he helped you with this place?”
A soft smile curved Judy’s lips as her eyes unfocused at the memory. “Pete and I always loved being around people. It’s why we took in kids with nowhere else to go. But we were getting too old to provide the best care, so we looked to the next chapter of our lives. This place was our dream.” She sighed. “But w
hat did we know about running a business? It wasn’t open six months before we started to struggle.”
“And that’s when you asked Julian for help?”
“Lord, no. I would never lay my problems at someone else’s door. Especially not one of my kids.”
She frowned. “Then how…”
“He showed up on our doorstep one night, deed in hand. He’d bought it for us without a word and handed it over without even asking to come in.” Judy clutched her cup tighter. “We hadn’t seen him in years, but he’d been keeping track of us, you see. And when he figured out we were in trouble, he stepped in without any hesitation.”
Her heart clenched. It wasn’t hard to imagine a younger Julian seeing a problem and fixing it without expecting anything in return.
Because that’s what he does.
For all his bluster about being unsentimental, he looked after those he cared about.
And to someone who had always been a shadow, that devotion was alluring.
“He would have disappeared from our lives again,” Judy said. “I knew that the second he handed me the deed. There was no way Pete and I would let that happen.”
“So you made him be an investor,” she breathed.
Judy smiled. “We all knew what it was about. Julian is too sharp to fool, but he agreed, and that decision kept him in our lives this past decade.”
Too sharp to fool.
The words were like daggers into her chest. Here was a man who’d had to fight for everything he had. And what she was doing? Tricking him.
“He’s a good man under all that armor,” Judy said, pulling her back to the conversation. “You just have to find your own way to pull him in.”
She took a sip of tea to wet her dry throat. “I know he’s a good man,” she said softly.
That’s the problem.
…
“You brought a woman with you, eh? Bad idea leaving her unsupervised with Judy.”
Julian grinned at the white-haired man sitting behind his desk in the messy little office. Bookshelves lined the walls, but even they weren’t enough to contain the volumes scattered around the room. Stacks of books waited in all the corners while more crept toward the edges of the desk.
Pete had always been this way, hoarding as much knowledge as he could. Julian remembered when he was a teenager every bedroom in the house had been given up to some unfortunate kid like him. There’d been no room for Pete’s books, so he’d stored them under every piece of furniture in the place. Geography in the cupboards, Shakespeare under the ottomans. Seeing that some things never changed brought a smile to his face.
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