My BFF's Baby (Bossy Billionaires) by Layla Valentine & Ana Sparks

Author:Layla Valentine & Ana Sparks [Valentine, Layla]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-05-30T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

JASON

For a long time after Nicole left the hot tub, I sat in the warm water and pondered what she’d said. I was well aware that my father’s actions had shaped my life profoundly, but when I offered Nicole the money, I hadn’t been throwing money at a problem or trying to buy off my conscience.

Had I?

None of our previous conversations had been as intensely personal as that one, but I hadn’t worried that she’d think less of me for expressing my emotions. Ironic, then, that she’d gotten upset about money, of all things—the one topic that my family always found easiest to discuss. I’d assumed that she’d come out to the Catskills to ensure her financial and business future. Clearly, I’d been wrong.

She hadn’t traveled all this way to keep the company afloat.

She’d come because she wanted to talk to me.

“You’re an idiot, Jason,” I muttered.

What the hell do I care? Take half. I’d tried to make it sound like the money wasn’t what mattered, but even as the words had left my mouth, they’d sounded wrong. Like nothing mattered.

At last, I hauled myself out of the hot tub, adjusted the controls, and pulled the cover back on. I was shivering so hard that my teeth rattled as I stepped back inside. The distant thrum of the washing machine echoed down the hall, filling the house like a pulse. I wrapped the towel around my shoulders and made straight for my parents’ old room, the one Nicole was occupying. I tapped one knuckle on the door.

“Hey, Nic. Can we talk?”

Only silence answered me, and I let out a weary sigh.

“Listen, you’re right. I’ve been a mess since Dad passed, and I know I didn’t phrase things well, but I want to make it right. You—” I choked on another surge of conflicting emotions. “You mean a lot to me, Nic. More than I realized. I wasn’t trying to buy you off, but I need a change. I can feel my life going off track, and it’s terrifying. Can we try talking again?”

Nothing.

“I’m glad that you opened up to me about your family…”

Only the rattle of the washing machine filled the air.

I pressed my forehead against the door. “Nic, please, I’m trying. I swear.”

I knew that I’d pissed Nicole off royally, but it wasn’t like her to ignore me. She’d be well within her rights to demand space, but to completely shut me out? That was odd.

Something was wrong.

“I’m opening the door,” I said. “I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

I pushed the door open wider to reveal a room that had been stripped bare. Nic’s few things were gone, and there was no sign of her.

With a rising sense of panic, I headed back into the living room. My laptop sat unattended on the kitchen table, its lid still open and its screen dark. My wet briefs clung to me as I checked the door for clues; Nicole’s shoes were missing, and her peacoat no longer hung on its peg.

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