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

39. Epilogue

“I really wish you were coming with me,” I say over the phone to Jeremy.

I’m heading to Bentley”s yacht for our end-of-year work celebration.

“Me too,” he replies.

I know I encouraged him to go to Chicago for a holiday party to celebrate the grand opening of the newest Lincoln hospital, so I can’t be down about it. He and Harvey collaborated on this venture and I’m happy he found his spark for work. I thought he was never going to return to full time after the accident, but with me returning to work he slowly realized work isn’t bad. He just had to find balance.

“Do you have your ugly Christmas sweater and mask on?” I ask, remembering when he first received the invitation with the dress code he complained and refused to go.

“Yes, and I look ridiculous,” he grumbles. And I can imagine him running his hands through his hair like he does when he’s frustrated.

I giggle. “I bet you don’t. Send me a picture.”

“Don’t laugh at me or I might change my mind about going.”

A beep alerts me to a new message, so I pull the phone away from my ear and open his picture.

He’s adorable. “Aw, you look cute.”

“I don’t like being called cute, remember?”

As if I could forget our first video call. It feels like it was only a moment ago and not that we’ve been together, coming up on nine months now.

“But you look so cuddly in your green pom-pom sweater.”

“Cuddly?” He groans.

“Where’s your mask?” I ask, knowing he has a green one, but I haven’t seen it on him.

“It looks stupid with this ugly sweater.”

“So? Take a pic. I need to see it.”

He huffs, but I know he’s doing it. A smile lifts as I hear him rustling.

I get another text notification.

I open the picture and a whine leaves my throat. He’s hot.

“Now that’s what I want to hear.”

He’s giving me fuck-me vibes with his camera stare. Even though his mask hides half of his face, it adds to the sexiness.

“Maybe keep the mask,” I admit.

“Oh, you want me to wear this mask while I fuck you, Star?”

Hearing him say those words is better than the image running through my mind.

I really wish we were together tonight because it wouldn’t be a dream; no, it would be a reality.

“Yes,” I breathe.

“Done. Well, I gotta catch my flight. Have a good night. I’ll call you tomorrow. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

I hang up and I get a text straight away.

Jeremy: I miss you.

Nova:Don’t be so needy. Go to the party and have fun.

Jeremy:Fine.

I put my phone down and head for a shower. I need to get ready.

Later that night, I board the familiar yacht. This time, I’m not worried and I won’t be meeting anyone. Jeremy isn’t here but my colleagues are.

I see Dalton waving at me, and Poppy is standing beside him.

The wind whips around my ankles that are exposed. My long black high cut sleeveless dress stops at the middle of my calf. I pull my cream shawl tighter. I wish I had brought a thicker one now. I didn’t expect it to be so cold tonight.

Poppy has her arms crossed and she’s hunched over a little. She”s in a 3/4 length sleeve navy dress so I’m not the only one cold. Dalton is in a white shirt and navy shorts.

No jacket to give Poppy who looks to be struggling more than me. I hug Dalton and Poppy.

“I can’t believe it’s so cold tonight.”

I k-know I won’t be staying long tonight,” Poppy says, her teeth chattering.

“Did you want my cardigan?”

She shakes her head. “No, keep it. I’ll be fine.”

“What about a drink?” Dalton suggests.

“Sure,” I reply.

We wave down a server with the drink tray and all grab a Champagne.

I sip and peer around looking for Bentley.

“He’s around here somewhere,” Dalton says, obviously watching me.

“I’m sure I’ll catch him soon.”

“How about now?” Poppy suggests. I’m about to ask why but then he wanders over.

“Evening. How’s everyone doing? Glad to see you grabbed a drink.”

I nod.

“Can I steal Nova away for a second,” he asks, his gaze moving over to Poppy and Dalton. I notice that tonight Bentley is in a black suit and a crisp white shirt. It’s more dressed up than the last time I was on his yacht.

“Go ahead,” they say.

I turn and follow Bentley. We’re walking up the side of the yacht to the front, when I realize we haven’t moved.

“What time is the yacht leaving?” I ask. Poor Poppy will be cold for a lot longer now.

“Well, I’m waiting for a guest.”

I frown, not understanding why this guest didn’t turn up in time. Must be important if we’re still waiting.

The air changes and I sense movement at the entry steps of the yacht.

The familiar scent fills my nose. Jeremy. He’s wearing an all-black suit with a white shirt and black bow tie.

Immediately my face brightens, and the biggest grin spreads on my face. His face mirrors my joy, breaking into a wide grin as well.

“It seems he’s here,” Bentley says behind me.

My mind is reeling. Wasn’t he supposed to be in Chicago? Why’s he here?

Where’s the ugly Christmas sweater and mask that I saw a few hours ago.

“What are you doing here?” I murmur, not able to believe what I’m seeing.

Jeremy opens his arms for me. I step into them, welcoming the heat from his body. I’ll ask him in a second. Right now, I just want to soak him in and revel in the fact that he’s here right now.

“You’re freezing.”

“Mmm, you’re warm.”

He shrugs off his jacket and wraps it around my shoulders. I shiver from the warmth. I didn’t realize I was that cold until now.

I reach out to grab his hand when I notice his cufflinks. Gold with the initials NL. It dawns on me that the L could stand for Lee but then also stand for Lincoln. Mrs. Lincoln. I shake off the silly fantasy. We haven’t been together long enough. Or is this another time where I’m following social expectations, not my own path. The risky, yet exhilarating path.

“Thanks, Mr. Spencer,” Jeremy calls, peering over my shoulder at Bentley.

“Enjoy,” Bentley adds, and there’s something odd about his tone, but I don’t get a chance to dwell on it because Jeremy is already linking our hands and walking us off the yacht.

“Where are we going?”

“To my yacht.”

As we walk along the timber pier, we arrive at a bigger yacht.

“But what happened to the Christmas party?”

His face tilts down to me and grins. “Don’t worry I’ve got the mask here.”

My lips twitch as he helps me step onto his yacht then we take the few steps up to the deck. “Good. But aren’t they expecting you?”

I look around at the light wooden floors and warm night lights hanging from the railing.

“No.” He continues to walk me until we stop at the front of his yacht. There are red roses all over the floor and bunches of them in vases strategically placed—it’s breathtaking.

He spins to face me, clutching my hands as he stares down at my lips. I roll them, knowing I have his favorite color brAVE on.

“Holiday parties are fun but not without you. I told you I would change my life. It was a promise I made to myself.”

I take one of my hands out of his and reach out to hold the side of his face. His freshly shaven jaw is smooth against my skin.

“I hope this isn’t the guilt from the accident still.”

He shakes his head gently and grabs my hand from his face and clutches it between us again.

“I don’t. This is my second chance to have you in my life and I’m not wasting it.”

My lips part into an easy smile. He’s been so attentive and sweet lately; I wouldn’t want to go back to the way things were.

“Well, I won’t say no.”

His face brightens. “Well, that’s good to know.”

His hand slips from mine and reaches into his suit pocket. My breath catches.

He pulls out a blue box, and at the same time, he bends on one knee. Tears spring to my eyes. I blink rapidly, trying to see him through the blur.

“Star baby. You’re everything to me. My soulmate. You’re the start and end of my days. I look forward to waking up and going to sleep with you…I even enjoy doing the most mundane tasks like food shopping with you. I’m happiest when I’m just simply with you. Will you do me the honor and become my wife?”

I nod and cry until I’m uncontrollably sobbing.

“Is that a yes?”

“Y-yes,” I stammer.

He slides the large round-cut diamond ring on my finger, and I stare at its exquisiteness.

“It shines just like a star. Just like you,” he says as he stands, and I kiss him. A kiss from my heart and soul. I can’t form words through my tears. He thinks he’s the lucky one, but I don’t feel that way, I am.

The End.