Mending Words With The Billionaire (Artists & Billionaires Book 5)

by Lorin Grace

  The waiter handed Nick the lemon water he’d requested. Nick took a napkin as well.

  “What is up with you and Zoe? Has she pulled one of her disappearing acts?”

  Interesting. Perhaps Zoe was an introvert. “You were paying attention to us? Let me guess—friend-zone problems?”

  “Candace was an introvert. She is very protective of Zoe.”

  “I am not sure we are even at friendly. She is keeping to herself.” It was more like trying to get into Fort Knox.

  “She is a Wilson woman. Runs in the family. Good luck.” Colin raised one of the water glasses before walking in the direction of the tables.

  If Colin noticed something between Zoe and him, Nick knew he hadn’t imagined the attraction. When it came to people, Colin was about as unobservant as they came.

  Nick gave the water to Sean’s mother and went in search of Zoe. He found her in a dim hallway holding baby Joy to her shoulder.

  Zoe spotted him and held a finger to her lips, then walked toward him using the same swaying motion his older sister used when rocking her children to sleep. “What?” she mouthed.

  “I thought I’d see where you disappeared to.”

  Zoe smiled at him and slowly turned back down the hallway. He heard a set of heels approaching.

  “There you are. Tessa is almost ready to toss the bouquet. Mandy sent me to find my granddaughter.” A woman in her midsixties skirted around Nick to Zoe’s side. They exchanged the sleeping child without waking her, the baby smiling in her sleep as she settled into the older woman’s arms.

  Nick offered his arm to escort Zoe back to the main reception.

  Zoe glanced over her shoulder. “That’s Bonnie, Daniel’s former secretary, personal assistant, and mother hen. She insisted on coming since Mandy’s mother had to go back to South America. I think Bonnie has pretty much adopted Joy.”

  “Tessa must have too, to make her the honorary flower girl.” Nick opened the door into the grand gallery.

  “It may have been an excuse to get Joy a matching dress, or three. This is the second one Joy has worn today.”

  Nick admired Zoe’s dress. “Do the bridesmaids get multiple dresses too?”

  Zoe shook her head. “Just the one. We have matching T-shirts from our hen party.”

  “That is the oddest name for a party.” Nick led her to the dance floor without asking and spun her into the waltz position.

  “Probably. I have no idea where the name came from. Mandy preferred the name to bachelorette, since she felt that was synonymous with bar hopping.” Zoe followed each of his turns flawlessly. “And everyone since has followed suit.”

  “I noticed the distinct lack of alcohol at the wedding.” The dry wedding saved the celebration from the inevitable guest who imbibed too much and embarrassed the bride or groom with a declaration of unrequited love.

  “I am not sure Tessa ever drank. ‘No alcohol’ is one of Candace’s rules for the Art House.” Zoe spun away from him and back.

  “Your cousin makes no-drinking rules for college students, and everyone abides by them?” Nick didn’t consider himself much of a drinker, but trying to picture his college fraternity alcohol-free was a stretch.

  “Get to know Candace a bit and you’ll understand.” She shrugged under his hold. “Our little college is ranked in the top-twenty of stone-cold sober universities since Candace started her crusade. It isn’t even a religious school. My cousin is stronger than a force of nature.” He could feel her relax as she spoke of her cousin.

  “So, what does she do?” Nick asked, hoping to catch her in another moment of unguarded candor, but the music ended and Zoe stepped out of his arms.

  “She is an artist like the rest of us.”

  The band leader spoke over the chatter. “Okay, all you single ladies. It’s time for the new Mrs. Cavanagh to toss the bouquet. If you will gather at the bottom of the stairs.”

  Candace walked up and linked arms with Zoe. “Come on, cuz. If I have to, you have to.”

  “Fine, but I am not catching it. That is your job.” Zoe put her arm around her cousin’s waist and walked in the direction of the grand stairway.

  Nick wandered over to where the single men were gathered. Michael O’Malley speculated who would catch it. “If that hazel-eyed farm girl catches it, stay out of my way for the garter toss. I’d like a date with her.”

  It took Nick a minute to realize he spoke of Zoe. O’Malley was harmless enough. However, he went through women as fast as he did Irish stew on a Friday night rush at his restaurant. Nick sized up his competition. If Zoe caught the bouquet, O’Malley wouldn’t have a chance. The garter and date would be his.

  three

  “Remember the deal. I duck and you catch it.” Candace tugged Zoe into position.

  “How can you be so sure it will come your way?”

  “My sister’s wedding, Mandy’s, Araceli’s, and Abbie’s.” Candace counted off the names on her fingers. “I am not catching the bouquet a fifth time.”

  “I don’t think Abbie’s wedding should count since she threw the flowers at you as she ran from the room to follow Mandy to the hospital. It wasn’t a real flower toss. I could argue she wanted you to hold them.”

  Candace pushed Zoe forward. “I am not doing this a fifth time.”

  “Have you ever considered that the universe might be telling you something?”

  “Not happening. Not in my plan.”

  Zoe grabbed Candace’s hand and looked her in the eye. “Maybe you have been wrong for the last ten years and it’s time to change your plan.”

  “Maybe you have been wrong for the last two years and you should change yours.”

  Tessa climbed up to the third step. “Ready, ladies?” Before turning her back to the assembled hopefuls, she looked in Candace’s direction.

  As soon as Tessa turned her back, Candace stepped out of the way, leaving Zoe little choice other than to catch the flowers or be pelted in the face. She glared at her cousin. Tessa blinked back the surprise on her face when she turned around, then clapped for Zoe.

  Zoe posed next to Tessa for a photo before the announcer called for the bachelors to gather around. First in line was Sean’s grandfather. Tessa sat in a chair and raised her skirts a few inches. Sean snagged the garter and shot it like a rubber band over the group of men. Reverend Cavanagh lost his attempt to snatch the piece of lace out of the air to Nick Gooding.

  Zoe felt the weight of all her roommates’ eyes on her. Every teasing remark from the last week slammed into her brain.

  “Breathe. He is a nice guy, and the billionaire thing is all superstition.” Tessa squeezed Zoe’s shoulders in a half hug before nudging her in Nick’s direction.

  Nick held out his hand. “We get to start this dance.”

  The announcer called for all the single ladies and gents to join them. Soon the floor overflowed with dancers, and Nick spun Zoe to the edge. “Do you need to sit down? All the color drained from your face when you caught the flowers. I thought you might faint.”

  She attempted to smile. “I’m fine.”

  Nick raised a brow but didn’t comment. He danced them along the perimeter of the floor. When the song ended, he escorted her to a seat at the corner table.

  “We have a tradition around here. I owe you a date. What would you like to do? The sky is the limit.” He sat next to her.

  Why did all the rich guys have to be handsome? Zoe knew she was better off without handsome or rich. To be honest, she was better off without anyone for now. “Since they stole all your gold, I am not going to take that literally.”

  “What? No skydiving onto the Statue of Liberty?”

  She crossed her legs and adjusted her skirts. A server came by, and she took a water. “Isn’t that illegal?”

&n
bsp; “Probably. So the sky is the limit within FAA-approved flying areas.” Nick asked for a cola. Colin and Candace joined them.

  “How about you take me for an ice cream cone?” It was the simplest date she could think of. Even in New York, a double scoop should be convenient and quick.

  Colin shook his head. “Seriously? An ice cream cone? At least get a Broadway show out of the deal since you’ll be living here for the next few months.”

  Nick turned to Zoe. “What about a show and an ice cream cone?”

  She looked to Candace before answering. Her cousin’s encouraging smile was no help.

  “I think an ice cream cone will fulfill your obligation.”

  Candace made a face Zoe hoped the others didn’t see.

  “Well, then, ice cream it is.” Nick agreed without hesitating.

  Perhaps she should have been more specific. Nick had agreed too quickly.

  Once the guests filtered out after the departure of the bride and groom, Nick and Colin moved outside to watch the bridesmaids leave in a limo.

  “Are you staying at the inn?” Nick followed Colin back into the museum.

  “Yes. I didn’t want to stay in the city.”

  “Come out to the family house with me. There is plenty of room, and the remainder of the wedding party isn’t on the floor above you.” Nick didn’t know Colin as well as he did Daniel. After seeing him interact with Candace over the week, he felt Colin could use some time away from the rest of the bridal party.

  “That sounds like a deal I can’t pass up.”

  Nick pulled out his keys. “My car is around back. Let’s go get your things.”

  The estate covered a little more than ten acres—not vast by any means. Since over half of the land was covered in trees, the property afforded the Gooding family more than enough privacy.

  Colin gave a low whistle as the house came into view. “My mother would kill for a place like this. She is forever complaining our home is too modern for her.”

  “Welcome to the Cottage. Someday I’ll be the fifth generation of Goodings to own it. Right now, the place is still my father’s primary residence, although he and Mom spend almost as much time elsewhere as they do here.”

  “Are your parents here today?”

  “I think so. They were at Sean’s wedding. My sisters are both here someplace as they didn’t want to miss the wedding either.”

  “Sisters?”

  “Emma is married. I am not sure if she flew home or not. She didn’t want to bring her children, nor did she want to leave them. Kaylee was the one in the red dress who danced with the guy with the goatee all evening. There isn’t an official engagement yet.”

  “You sound like you don’t approve.” Colin grabbed his suitcase and followed Nick.

  “I can’t say I do, but I don’t get any say in the matter.” Nick indicated that Colin should leave his suitcase with the butler who’d greeted them. “He’ll get that up to your room. Do you want the grand tour or just the shortest way to my man cave?”

  A yawn proceeded Colin’s answer. “I think the man cave sounds good for now.”

  “So, how long have you been dating Candace?”

  “You mean how long have I been trying to date Candace? That woman has more tricks to keep a relationship in the friend zone than the Pentagon has to keep hackers out. The Pentagon is easier to hack.”

  Nick gave Colin a sideways glance. “I am not sure I want to know about that.”

  “I was only twelve. Thanks to Dad’s money, they didn’t make a big deal of the break-in other than making me create a fix for the hack I’d exposed. Why are women so difficult?”

  “I have no idea. Zoe is interesting, but she can’t stand me because of my money. Usually, women who know me have the money thing the other way around.”

  Colin took a soda from the mini bar. “Zoe has a talent for shutting down a guy even before he expresses interest. I am surprised she even danced with you at all.”

  “Really? Do you know why?” Nick settled into his favorite chair.

  “Not a clue, and I’ll warn you—don’t even try to get any information out of any of the Art House women. They keep each other’s secrets better than Area 51. Took me weeks to get Candace to tell me about her alopecia, and I already knew she worked with children with cancer. Other than she had chemo, I still have no clue as to the extent or the reason.”

  “You mean you have never tried to find out? With your hacking skills . . . ”

  “I could but haven’t and won’t. I am cautious about what side of the line I stay on. For some reason, Daniel thinks I cross the line more often than I do. Although to keep Mandy safe when they were first dating, I may have let things get a bit gray. Death threats tend to push those lines.”

  “How long have you been interested in Candace?”

  “Since I first saw her spiky pink hair on my computer screen a year ago last March. 512 days.”

  It was Nick’s turn to give a whistle of appreciation. “And she won’t date you?”

  “Nope. I tried for a kiss last New Year’s Eve and came up all cheek. The annoying thing is I know about all these guys she has kissed. Not that she has kissed anyone since some law-student activist dumped her to go protest in California. She tries to keep me in the friend zone by talking about the guys she’s dated like I am one of the Art House women. The guys she’s kissed don’t know her at all. She never lets them see anything beyond her rotating wig collection before she moves on.”

  “That explains a lot. I thought I saw her the other day down on the square. Since her hair was different, I thought I was mistaken.”

  “My favorite wig is a blonde with green ends. Ombre or something, they call it. It’s soft and sassy, just like her.”

  “Oh, you have it bad. What are you going to do?”

  “I need a new idea. Maybe you can help.”

  Nick spent the next hour brainstorming with Colin. His friend had reached the desperate stage. Coming up with ideas to help someone else was ten times easier than solving his own problems. “I think I have an idea. A couple years ago I purchased a two-story turn-of-the-century carousel. My thought was to fix the merry-go-round up and donate it to, well . . . that doesn’t matter. I still have the carousel packed away in a warehouse. The wooden animals need a lot of work. If I found the right artist . . . ”

  “I have a new warehouse—nice and clean, state-of-the-art ventilation. It’s never been used and is just the place to undertake the major refurbishment of an antique.”

  “Now if you only knew an artist. Maybe one with spiky pink hair. Then I would be happy to send the carousel out to Chicago.”

  Colin grinned. “Nick Do-Gooder Gooding, you are a genius.”

  “Now, do you have any ideas about how to break the ice with her cousin?”

  four

  When Zoe first thought of finding a place in Manhattan, she figured she would end up with a shared studio that had leaking water pipes and would cost her the stipend she got for the internship. Sean’s childhood home was far from that. The two bedrooms were small, and if she were a chef, the galley kitchen would be inadequate, but the 980-square-foot, third-floor apartment was more space than she ever dreamed she could have in the city.

  All her friends, excluding Tessa and Sean, had helped her move her few boxes in. Since Sean had emptied the apartment of all but a few things, he’d given her an allowance to rent some furniture to add to the old couch and scarred kitchen table that remained.

  Mandy walked through the rooms. “You shouldn’t need much. A bed, a comfortable chair, a dresser. Daniel gave me the name of the company he used to furnish the apartment he had last year, along with a designer not to work with. Although her first attempt of orange, yellows, and purples might be your style. He said the rental furnitur
e is good, just not the designer.”

  “I think the striped-animal decor was so much better.” Candace laughed.

  “What am I missing?” asked Zoe.

  “Daniel lived here for about a month and decided to get an apartment rather than keep living in a hotel. The decorator he hired must have been a flunky from some reality show. Although at the time, I thought she was the Karma he deserved. He let the place go when the lease was up. We keep talking about getting an apartment here in New York, especially now that Sean and Tessa will be living here. I don’t know if we will, though. Daniel’s father hated the city, and Daniel can’t see spending the money.” Mandy measured one of the windows. “If Sean buys this building and turns it into a couple of condos, we’ll be tempted to buy one. For some reason, Nick keeps talking Sean out of the purchase.”

  Zoe felt her spine stiffen at the mention of Nick’s name. “Why should Nick have any say?”

  Araceli sat on the couch. “Tessa says Nick wants Sean to take a year to get used to his wealth. This building isn’t the best investment, for some reason. I think it’s sweet that Nick is helping Sean through his new world.”

  “Because discovering you’re a billionaire is hard?” Zoe couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of her voice. Everyone turned to stare.

  Abbie closed the refrigerator door. “Money is more of a burden than most people think. There is a lot of responsibility that comes with wealth because one can do so much harm or good. When I met Preston, I thought he was just a spoiled, rich guy. But he isn’t. Yes, he grew up with a different lifestyle. Like Mandy, I want to raise my children close to me, not at some boarding school.”

  “Wait, what?” Candace narrowed her eyes and went to stand in front of Abbie. “Out with it. You have only been married for seven weeks.”

  “Eight, and yes, we are having a honeymoon baby. I’m already thirty-one, and I didn’t see a reason to wait. Fortunately, Preston didn’t either.” Abbie placed her hand on her abdomen.