The Christmas Bargain: A billionaire, best-friend’s little sister, secret crush romance by Peggy McKenzie

Author:Peggy McKenzie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Columbine Publishing Company

CHAPTER 15

Brody was on his second bourbon after he'd spoken with Vanessa on the phone. She still sounded congested and her cough didn't seem better. She assured him she was feeling better, but whether or not she would be able to accompany him to the wedding was still up in the air.

He'd finally broke the news to her that he had a date for the wedding. He wasn't surprised she hadn't taken the news well.

"I see, so I'm down and you’re pushing me out. Thanks, Brody. That makes me feel a lot better," she grinched between blowing her nose and coughing, sarcasm dripping from every word.

He was taken aback by her reaction. "I don't understand what the problem is Vanessa. You said you couldn't go and I told you I have to have a date. Why are you upset?" He genuinely didn't get it. He thought of all people, Vanessa would understand.

"I just assumed I'd be missed, Brody."

"Of course, you'll be missed. Why would you think otherwise? If you weren't sick, you'd be going. That's the only reason you're not."

"You know, usually when the person you love can't go with you, you usually don't replace them so…quickly."

He froze. Love? Who said anything about love? "Um, I'm not sure what is happening here, but I've never said anything about—"

"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I use that nasty L-word you hate so much?"

He could hear her voice crack with emotion. What the hell? "Vanessa," he started with his most convincing tone, "look, we have fun together and we enjoy each other's company. But love? I'm just not ready for that kind of commitment. You know that. I mean, we have had an understanding from the beginning. I care for you, but… I don’t know what else to say.” And he didn’t. What else he could say that he hadn't already said?

"I know that Brody. I guess I just hoped since I was the one you invited to go to Rex and Chelsey's wedding shower and then their joint bachelor and bachelorette parties, not to mention the rehearsal dinner and their wedding…well, I guess I hoped your cold reception against marriage had thawed. I see I was mistaken." She sniffed.

He remained silent trying to come up with words that would ease her disappointment. How in the hell had he not seen this coming? Rex had warned him Vanessa was not immune to matrimony pressures. He'd been so clear. He'd been so sure.

"You don't have to say anything, Brody. Your silence says it all." After a few more moments of silence between them, Vanessa changed the subject. She tended to do that when she was losing the upper hand. "So, what did the little sister want so late last night? Scared of the bogeyman and wanted big brave Brody to save her?"

Vanessa's tone irritated him. Why was she being so bitchy? Probably because she's sick, dumbass. Cut her some slack.

"She had a problem getting a room. Billy Joel plays tonight at The Garden. You know how it is, everything is booked to the hilt.

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