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

Chapter 27

I wake up in his bed expecting him to be there. But the cold empty spot beside me tells me know he’s not.

He’s probably in the kitchen or his office. Either way, I roll over still tired and achy from last night and easily fall back asleep.

The next time I wake, I see it’s been two hours. I tilt my head. He’s still not here, so I get up and go in search of him.

I use the bathroom and then wander through the house.

There’s no noise but I walk to the kitchen and find it empty. His study is untouched.

I find a home gym but that’s also empty. It’s a Saturday. What does Jeremy do on a Saturday morning?

I head back to his room and grab my phone.

He answers immediately, “Hey, baby.”

His low sexy voice makes me miss him.

“Where are you?” I ask.

“I’ve come to the office to do some urgent work that popped up. I shouldn’t be much longer.”

“I’ll have a shower and eat.”

“Help yourself. The television is there with anything you could need.”

“Okay. Well, I’ll see you soon.”

“Yeah. Then I can take you out. We could do something.”

After the amazing time I had with his family, a thought pops into my mind.

“What if we go to my parents’ place tonight?”

“That sounds perfect.”

A smile spreads on my face. “Well, I might head home first, shower and eat then go to my parents. I’ll text you their address.”

“I’ll come as soon as I’ve finished here.”

I hang up and text him the address.

As soon as I get home, I can tell no one is awake. It’s so quiet. No TV noise or food cooking.

I trek up to my room quietly and grab fresh clothes. The feeling of Jeremy around me will wash away the instant I stand under the hot water, but tonight, I’ll be in his arms again. And I can’t wait.

After I step out of the shower, I call my mom.

“Hi,” she answers.

“Mom, hi.”

“Are you coming for dinner or are you busy?” Her high-pitched tone lets me know she’s hinting at Jeremy.

“Oh, I’m still coming, but I want to ask for a favor.”

“Oh, yes. What is it?”

Here we go…I’m asking to blend three of the most important people in my life together.

“Can Jeremy come for dinner too?”

I grip the phone tighter. I’m apprehensive. I’d never bring anyone home with what we as a family are going through, but Jeremy is different.

“Of course,” she replies eagerly.

“I’ll be there earlier. Jeremy is at work. I told him six. I don’t want to mess up Dad’s schedule.”

“I’m sure we could’ve worked something out.”

“No. He knows Dad’s in treatment.”

“Okay, love. I’ll see you soon then.”

I hang up and head downstairs for a late breakfast.

Summer is beside the toaster in her dachshund pajamas.

“Morning,” I say.

She twists. The corner of her mouth lifts. “Well, hello.”

“What?” I ask. Her expression clearly shows she wants to know something.

“How was meeting the Lincolns?” she asks. Her bagel pops out of the toaster, so she turns back and retrieves it and adds a layer of cream cheese.

I go to make a bagel myself, my mouth watering as I look at hers.

“It was amazing. His family is so welcoming.”

“The brothers?”

“They were nice. One is a little quiet and the other a little rude, but I’m unsure if that was deliberate or if he doesn’t know how to talk to a woman.”

She carries her plate and steps back to give me room to make mine. “What do you mean?” she asks before taking a bite of her bagel.

I put mine in the toaster and explain.

“Chelsea and I were talking and he kind of made a dick of himself about Chelsea drinking.”

Her face screws up. “Awkward.”

Speaking of Chelsea. I’m worried about her. Did she break up with Bobby? Is that why she hugged Evan and then left?

“Yeah. Hey, where is Chelsea?”

“She went to work, why?”

I exhale heavily.

I look at the front door and debate if I should tell Summer what I saw between her and Evan.

“Tell me.”

I spread cream cheese and whisper, “Please don’t say anything though.”

“Oh shit, what happened?”

“Nothing bad. Can we sit?”

We both sit.

“So she disappeared around the time the douchebag was meant to pick her up.”

“He didn’t pick her up! I’m going to kill him,” Summer adds.

“I’d be angry if I didn’t see what I saw.”

She pauses her bagel that was on her way to her mouth. “What did you see?”

“I walked out the front and Jeremy’s brother, Evan—he’s the quiet one—was hugging Chelsea. At first I couldn”t see her face. All I could see was his hand rubbing her back.”

“Chelsea? No!”

“Uh huh.” My lip twitches.

“Woah.”

I nod repeatedly. “Yep. I think it would be a good thing to have another guy pull her attention away from Bobby.”

“She doesn”t listen to us.”

“I know but another guy could be the answer.”

“It’s always the quiet ones.” She laughs, hitting her hand on the table.

I laugh too. “Listen, I don”t know much about him other than he is the CEO of Lincoln Media.”

Summer whistles. “Nice.”

“An upgrade from the flake she has now,” I add before taking another bite of my bagel, as we sit there in silence.

“I can’t believe he stood her up again,” I mutter, still pissed about it.

“She really needs to stop giving him chances.”

“I think in her own time she’ll end things. Well, I hope…”

“Anyway, what are your plans for dinner? I need to get some food from the shops. Will I get to meet the famous Jeremy?”

“Ha Ha, you’re funny. Not tonight. Maybe I can see if he can come over tomorrow night?” I offer.

“That would be great. I’d love to meet this family. Maybe there’s a brother for me, too.” She wiggles her brows at me with a wry smile.

I laugh. “Let me get to know them before all my friends take a brother.”

“When you say it like that it sounds weird.” She scrunches up her nose.

“Yeah, exactly.”

“He’s meeting my parents tonight.”

“I’m so happy you’re finally letting yourself live.”

I’m happy for me too.

Three hours later, I’m at my parents’ house. It’s five o’clock and I’m helping my mom prepare a five-course meal in the kitchen.

Dad is in the living room in his chair watching a football game.

I peel the potatoes as Mom chops up carrots beside me.

“How’s work?” Mom asks.

“I’m really enjoying it. The team I work with is fun. I’ll be sad to move departments when the lady returns from maternity leave.”

“Have you asked your boss about a position within the same team?”

“No, I hadn’t thought about that.”

I finish peeling the potatoes and pop them in a pan.

“This is a lot of potatoes,” I say, knowing that they spent more on food today than usual, clearly trying to impress Jeremy. It makes my chest swell. I’m glad they’re excited.

Even if I know my dad will be protective of me. I haven’t warned Jeremy to expect a lot of questions. I assume it’s a given, considering I’m an only child. Dad is naturally going to give him a run down on everything.

“Leftovers won’t be wasted.”

“Did you need more money?” I ask Mom, ready to get money from my purse.

“No, love. Keep it for yourself.”

“I have enough for myself,” I lie.

I’d love to save and not live paycheck to paycheck.

At this rate, I’ll never buy a home. But maybe when my dad is in remission, he’ll be able to return to work. I can save then.

“What do you need help with now?”

Mom looks in all her pots and pans.

“I’m all prepped, so I think I got it.”

I look around, noticing the table isn’t ready.

“I’ll set the table.”

“Then sit down,” Mom instructs.

I set the table and check the time. He should be here in ten minutes. This is the first guy I’ve ever brought home.

I take a seat on the gray fabric sofa. “Is he here?”

I look over to my dad, surprised to find him awake.

“Not yet. How are you feeling? Has the fluid around your kidneys settled down?”

“Yeah, the doctor is happier this week,” he says, patting his cheeks.

“But how are you feeling?” I ask again.

“I’m better. I just wish I wasn’t so tired. I can’t wait to feel like myself again.”

“Soon. Once you get through chemo, the side effects should reduce.”

That’s what the nurses told us anyway.

“Who’s winning?”

“The Eels are thrashing them.”

“Is that good?” I ask, not having a clue about football.

He laughs. “Yeah, it is.”

I smile. When he’s happy, so am I. I sit back and watch the game.

After a while Mom calls out. “Did he message you, love?”

I pull out my phone to see no messages or missed calls. “No, why?”

“It’s just after six. I don’t know whether to serve everything or keep it warm in the oven.”

“Let me message him and find out.”

I unlock my screen and quickly type out a message to Jeremy.

Nova:Hi! Where are you?

Jeremy:I’m sorry I am caught up at work. I’ll be there soon.

Nova:How long is soon? My dad needs his medication and then he goes to bed.

Jeremy:I’m so sorry. Half an hour maybe?

I inhale a deep breath and close my eyes tightly. His absence tonight is disappointing. It shows me he may not value my family as much as I did his, which is unacceptable considering the importance my family holds for me, and he’s well aware of that.

My heart pounds so hard in my chest as I type the words.

Nova:Don’t worry about it then.

I stare at it for a second before I put my phone on silent and tuck it away.

“He said he’s still working. Let’s eat.”

“Of course,” Mom says, raising her brows. “But are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

I don’t want her to worry about me. I’m ready to enjoy a nice meal with my family.

Five minutes later, Mom starts serving our plates.

I get up from the sofa and help put the plates on the table. The chicken, potatoes, and vegetables look delicious. I’m really hungry now.

“Dinner is ready,” I call out.

My father gets out of his chair and leaves the TV on. He walks over to his dining chair and takes a seat.

Mom puts bread in the middle of the table and then takes her seat. We all take some and begin eating when the door rings.

My eyes widen. Is it him?

Mom pushes her chair out.

I hold out my hand. “I got it.”

Mom brings her chair back in when Dad nods. I stand and go to the door.

I take a deep breath and open the door. A sudden coldness hits my core. He’s standing there in a black suit with a downturned mouth, holding two massive bunches of red roses. The black compliments his smoldering eyes and dark hair.

“Hi, Star.”

“What are those?” I murmur.

“One is for you, and one is for your mom. I’m really sorry I’m so late.”

That gets my brain working.

“You should come in and apologize to them too.”

I step back, one hand on the door handle and the other hanging slack by my side. He steps into the house, coming to stand in the entrance and the familiar buzz from being around him hits me.

I turn my face to the table, my parents’ eyes are on us standing in the entryway. I lift my hand toward them and in a flat voice I say, “Come.”

I walk him through the house which isn’t as big as his and we arrive at the table.

“I’m so sorry I’m late, Mr. and Mrs. Lee.” He hands my mom her bouquet. And she stares at him confused.

“Are these for me?” she asks.

“Yes, Mrs. Lee,” Jeremy says.

Jeremy moves to my dad, who stands when Jeremy arrives with his hand extended to shake my dad’s.

“Mr. Lee, I’m sorry I’m so late,” Jeremy says, offering to shake his hand.

My dad lifts his chin. “Making a good impression doesn’t mean much these days, does it?”

They stand eye to eye. My dad’s hard expression makes Jeremy clear his throat and turn to me.

“Again, I’m so sorry. These are for you.” The sincerity in his voice and his dull eyes make me step forward and take the bouquet of roses.

My dad will love that he’s given us flowers, apologized, shook his hand, works hard, and wears a suit. They are all a tick of approval in his eyes.

“So you got stuck at work?” my dad asks.

“Yeah. I have a few problems with a hospital in Boston. It needed my urgent attention.”

“Take a seat and we can talk while we eat.”

“Do you want something to drink?” Mom asks Jeremy.

“Water?” he says.

“Sparkling or still?” she asks.

When did my mom buy sparkling water?

When I decided to invite a man over…