The Billionaire's Boyfriend by Elana Johnson & Bonnie R. Paulson & Getaway Bay

Author:Elana Johnson & Bonnie R. Paulson & Getaway Bay [Johnson, Elana & Paulson, Bonnie R. & Bay, Getaway]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: AEJ Creative Works
Published: 2018-07-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Gina didn’t feel quite the same calmness inside Owen’s house tonight as she had the previous morning. He led the way down the hall to the kitchen, where both of his sons sat at the counter, their phones in front of them.

“Hey, Dad,” Cooper said, his eyes flickering over to Gina. “Hi, Gina.” He stood and extended his hand for her to shake.

Gina smiled at him and shook his hand. “I hear you’re an all-star basketball player.”

Cooper grinned from ear to ear and shook his head. “Not quite.”

Owen slid the boxes of pizza on the counter and said, “Zach, get down some plates, would you? Cooper, grab the paper towels.”

Both boys complied without complaint, and Gina liked how they worked together though the tasks were simple.

“Is this it?” Owen asked, picking up a large white envelope.

Zach said, “Yes.” He put the plates next to the boxes. “Should we do news first?” He glanced at Gina too, a smile barely touching his mouth before it disappeared.

“I want to know what’s in this.” Owen shook the envelope and turned to Cooper. “And what news you have about basketball.” He stepped back over to Gina and laced his fingers through hers, clearing his throat roughly. “And obviously, we might need to talk about me and Gina.”

The silence that followed felt strained to Gina despite her best attempts to smile and charm the boys without saying anything.

“So I’ll go,” Cooper said. “Coach made me a permanent starter on the varsity team.” He beamed at Owen and Zach, who both beamed back.

“That’s great.” Owen hugged his son and clapped him on the back. “Great job, Cooper. You’ve worked hard for that.” He put his arm around his son’s shoulders and faced Gina. “He gets up early every morning to work out, do drills, all of it.” He grinned down at Cooper. “I’m glad your hard work is paying off.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Good job, Coop.” Zach high-fived his brother and picked up the envelope. “I guess I’m next.”

And then Gina would have to endure a conversation about her, while she stood there and listened. Her stomach rumbled for want of food, but she wasn’t sure she’d be able to eat more than a few bites at most.

“Open it,” Owen said, quickly moving into a chant with Cooper. “Open it, open it, open it!”

Zach shook his head as he smiled, though he obviously enjoyed the attention. He ripped open the flap of the envelope and pulled out a few sheets of paper. After clearing his throat, he said, “Dear Zachary Church. Congratulations! You have been accepted into the University of California, Los Angeles.”

He looked up, his eyes bright. “I got in, Dad.”

“Of course you got in.” Owen spoke without a trace of doubt. “This one studies and studies. Great grades. High test scores.” The pride in his son was obvious, and Gina wondered what it would feel like to have a parent care about her the way Owen obviously cared about his sons.

She had no idea. No one had ever cared what kind of grades or test scores she got.

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