Billion Dollar Mistake: An opposites attract billionaire romance: (The Lincolns Book 1)

Chapter 24

“What are you doing for your birthday?” Grams asks. She’s sitting beside me in her chair while I’m on the sofa. The TV is on with one of her awful soaps. Who knew that a soap opera could last for twenty-five years? Me. I didn’t think anyone would watch it. But I guess I was wrong.

I turn my head to face her, closing the newspaper I was reading. “I haven’t made any plans yet. It’s not a big milestone.”

She waves her finger around. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a milestone. Everything should be celebrated, I...” She stops herself from talking. “I’d love to meet this woman we spoke about last time.”

My mouth lifts at her save.

“I want you to meet her.”

I realize I almost said before you go... And I hate that it popped into my mind.

Why is it so hard?

Why is life so unfair?

A part of me knows I shouldn’t feel guilty, and I should accept what is in the future and have her meet Nova. But none of my previous exes met my grams, so if Nova did, it would be a big fucking deal.

“We just started dating. Throwing her to the wolves might be a bit much.”

“We’re family, not animals.”

“Are we talking about the same family?”

She laughs. “Please. Why don’t you have her come here for dinner?”

“A dinner with the family?”

“Yeah.”

I try to avoid looking at her radiant face because she knows she’s worn me down. “Won’t it be too much for you?”

I try one last ditch effort for her to not do this.

“I’m not cooking. It’ll be catered.”

My gaze watches the actors fake crying on the screen. I can’t look at it any longer. I cross my ankles and get ready to read the paper again.

“Fine. Let’s have a birthday party dinner.”

“I’ll tell the family. You tell your girlfriend and her friends to come.”

“Hold up. Her friends too?”

“I want her to be comfortable.”

“So you admit our family is a bunch of wild animals, Gram?”

“No, but I’m a woman and I know meeting the family is nerve-wracking. It’ll help her feel relaxed.”

“Okay, well, I’ll ask her–”

“Good idea. Call her up and let me know.”

I’d argue but between the shit TV show I have to listen to, and missing Nova, I wouldn’t mind hearing her voice again.

“Alright, I’ll call her.”

“I’ll make us tea.”

“Coffee.”

“Yes, well, coffee for you, tea for me.”

I get up off the couch and grab her four-wheeled walker, wheeling it in front of her. I hold my hand out and help her up. She stands and grabs the handles.

“I’m up, thanks. Now go call her.” She waves me away.

“Alright, I’m going.”

I slide open the back door onto the patio and call Nova.

She answers after the second ring. “Hey, you.”

“Hi, baby, what are you doing?”

“I’m on the couch trying to motivate myself to shower.”

I groan imagining her body in a shower. “Wish I was with you.”

“You wouldn’t fit in my shower.”

“I like tight and confined spaces.”

She laughs, which sounds a lot like a snort. “Always dirty, Mr. Lincoln.”

“With you, I can’t help it. It flies out of my mouth.”

“I don’t know if that”s a good or bad thing.”

I move closer to Grams’ railing on her back patio and lean against it. “I’d say good. Most people get the boring side of me, the business one.”

“I am lucky. I know you better than most.”

I stare out into Grams’ backyard. It’s green with a small patch of grass. Beautiful flowers and trees and a veggie patch down the back.

“Better than anyone.”

“I am sure I don’t know you as well as your friends do.”

“To a certain point.”

“You go deep with me,” she says with a lighter tone. It’s almost as if I can hear the smile in her voice.

A deep chuckle leaves my chest. “Very deep. Now this time, you started it.”

She laughs. “What are you doing right now?”

“I’m standing outside on the porch in my grams’ backyard.”

“Did you go straight from work?”

I sigh. “Yeah, I have a flight tonight so I wanted to stop by.”

“That”s right, you’re leaving me for two days.”

“I know. I won’t see you until Friday night. Speaking of, it”s actually the reason I’m calling.”

“So you”re not calling because you missed me?” she teases.

“Oh, definitely that. Hearing your voice makes it harder. It makes me want to get in my car and see you.”

“Do it.” She breathes in a soft beg.

I groan, loving how she begs so easily. “I can’t.”

“Yeah, I know…”

It’s quiet for a moment before I remember I haven”t asked her yet.

“Friday night, Grams is hosting the family for dinner.”

“What for?”

I really don’t want to say it. Birthdays aren’t my thing. I don’t celebrate them. I prefer to buy gifts rather than receive them.

“My birthday,” I murmur.

“Your birthday!” She squeals.

“Calm down.” I chuckle.

My grams and her will definitely get along. They both love birthdays.

“How old are you turning?”

“Old.”

“Haha, smarty pants. Answer please.” The begging tone makes it impossible not to spill.

“I’m thirty-eight.”

“What does the birthday boy want?”

“A–”

“Mind away from sex.”

My lips twitch. “Damn it. It’s exactly what I was thinking.”

“You’ll get that, but I need a gift to bring to the dinner.”

“You are my gift. A surprise gift.”

“Oh, look at you being all cute.”

I turn to lean my back on the railing. “Don’t tell my brothers I’m cute.”

“Your secrets are safe with me. But I don’t count as a gift. Give me an idea.”

“I have no ideas. If I want something I buy it. And no one buys me gifts.”

“Not even your ex?” she says.

“Not even her.”

“Well, that”s an even bigger reason to give you a gift.”

I look at the wooden porch. “Are you jealous of my ex?”

“No. She isn’t around anymore so she’s not competition.”

I smile and jerk my head back up. I’d never look away from Nova. No one could compare. She’s everything to me, even though it’s only been a short amount of time.

“So why do you need to worry about a present then?”

“It’s the principle of knowing I’m the best.”

My lips part to a stupidly wide smile. “You are the best.”

“I will be even better with a gift.”

“Good luck with that,” I say.

“Bring your roommates. Gram insisted.”

“You have the coolest gram.”

I look into the enormous arch windows, looking around her indoor and outdoor plants to see Grams moving around her large kitchen. “I know.”

“I’m excited to meet her.”

“I am too.” I expected to be filled with regret about inviting her to meet my family, but it doesn’t come. Chatting with her now just makes me want more time with her.

“I better go back inside before she calls a search party.”

Nova giggles.

“I miss you,” I say, standing up from the rail.

“I miss you too. See you Friday.”

“I’ll see you then.”

I hang up and stare at the phone as if it has the answers I am looking for. I’m finding time for her, which is something I didn’t think I could or would want to do. Why her? What is it about Nova that makes her so different from the others? I don’t know anything other than what I feel in my heart. In my gut. She could be the one.

I open the door and slip back inside.

“Did you tell her you love her?”

“What?” I ask totally surprised by the question.

“Did you tell her you’re falling in love with her?”

I snort. “Hell no.”

“Don’t swear.”

“Sorry, Grams.”

“You ought to.” She huffs her displeasure.

I meet her in the kitchen, with its beige marble counter and floor-to-ceiling wooden cabinetry. Two cups sit on the counter. My grandmother’s brown eyes stand out against her pale skin and white hair.

“Why?”

She turns, her gorgeous purple cardigan draping over her white collared dress as she reaches for a plate filled with cookies. Every time I visit, she has a fresh treat waiting. She bakes every week without fail. Even with her chefs, she still makes her own desserts. I reach for a cookie, but she leans over and lays her hand on my cheek, causing me to pause. It makes me feel like a kid again.

“Because you love her.”

I shake my head. “I don’t.”I didn’t say I wasn’t falling, but I’m not full-on in love with her. Fuck, give me a second to spend more time with her. I’m still scared she’ll leave just like my ex. That my work will drive a wedge between us.

“Your face is glowing.”

“Grams, are you unwell? I’m sure you’re seeing things now.”

She drops her hand. “You—”

The doorbell rings.

“Saved by the bell.” I wink and grab a peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie and take a big bite.

She shakes her head softly.

As I open the door, I see that it’s my parents.

I smile, and quickly greet them both, kissing my mom on the cheek and shaking my dad’s hand.

My mother has shoulder length freshly dyed brown hair and brown eyes, while my dad’s hair is now gray, although it used to be brown. His beard is neatly trimmed, longer than any of us boys. Both are in their early sixties and retired. Dad and Mom used to own Lincoln Media and Lincoln Gallery respectively. Nowadays, Dad plays golf while Mom teaches painting to those who can’t afford college. They used to travel together until Grams’ diagnosis. Now they prefer to stay put, with Dad spending every day with his mom.

My mom and Grams want to see all of us boys married with children. So, I take this as my cue to leave. I’ll let Gram tell my parents Nova is coming Friday for dinner; otherwise, I’m about to get another woman”s opinion on how glowy I look. Like what is that? No, I’m not fucking glowing.

Happy? Yes. Glowy? Fuck no.

I kiss Gram and tell her I’ll see her Friday. Before I close the door behind me, I hear my mother and grams’ exchange.

“Guess what Jeremy did? He found a girl he’s willing to bring home.”

“He’s inviting a woman—” I hear my mother gasp as I shut the door.