10. Billionaire’s Arms
10
BILLIONAIRE’S ARMS
CHELSEA
Billionaire’s Beach in the Hampton’s was the last place I ever thought I’d have a chance to visit when I left Holly Creek. And, only possible because of an invite from Suz, our friendly, favorite DJ, who called and said she was part of the entertainment for some big fall party.
She needed a replacement for her assistant who had come down with a flu bug last minute, so Sophie was more than happy to take her place, and arranged for Maisy and me to tag along, too. We’d get to attend the fancy party, and she might have mentioned something about a boat race, too.
I fussed about leaving, at first, drained from working so hard, although loving it. But also something else bugged me—the way Rex walked away from the deli last night—and I stewed about it ever since. When he hardly reacted to the extra flare I put into the sandwich, it hurt. I thought he’d at least be decent and encouraging when he heard the news about my entry into the sandwich contest. Why did his opinion matter so much?
Suddenly, the idea of leaving the city for a quick getaway appealed. I needed to get Rex as far away from my mind as possible, and nothing would soothe me more than walking along the beach with my feet in the sand, dipping my toes in the water. That’s something I couldn’t get from Holly Creek, for sure.
We threw clothes into overnight bags and drove through Long Island to Southampton. Along the way, the drive impressed me not only because of the magnificent homes and views, but also the little orchards and wineries. Still, as beautiful as everything was, it couldn’t compare with home.
Holly Creek would always hold my heart, with the four seasons and the natural beauty around us. This time of year, the fall leaves would begin to change, about to give the greatest show with reds, oranges, and yellows. But more than that, home will always be the people, my family there.
I missed home and the little farmhouse we grew up in. How quiet it must be now with only Mom and Colt there. We texted almost every day, even if there was nothing new to report, and Maisy and I called each Sunday. Mom said they were getting along fine. Colt complained Mom was smothering him, but I knew he’d miss her if he was miles and miles away.
“We’re finally here, according to GPS,” I announced, and turned in through the gate of the address Suz had provided. Up ahead, at the center of a circular drive, a magnificent Shaker-shingle sided home appeared. My mouth dropped, counting the white framed windows three stories high, plus a level below like a daylight basement. “Oh, my God. Is this where the party will be tonight?”
“Yes, but there’s a guest house over to the right, Suz told me, where our room is…Oh my God.” Like me, she and Maisy dropped their jaws, because the guest house was about the same size as the main house, but only two stories tall, not three, and between them both likely thousands of square feet.
“It’s safe to say we’re far from home,” Maisy whispered in awe.
Suz met us out front, rocking hot pink hair and a black leather off the shoulder dress. I admired her ability to pull-off her fierce looks every time we saw her.
“Ladies! You’re here. Give the keys to the valet and I’ll show you to your room.” Walking through the house was like entering a whole new world. Everything was picture perfect, decorated in white fabrics and furniture of dark wood and shining white walls with dark beams overhead. I was afraid to touch anything.
Our room was in the workers’ wing. I expected something tiny, like our city apartment, not plush accommodations like these. A fluffy king size bed took up part of the room, and two couches facing each other by the window overlooked the…I ran to it and looked out at the most gorgeous view of the ocean. No wonder people loved beachfront property.
“Will this be okay? It’ll have to be all four of us sleeping in one room, but hey, this party could last into the early morning hours, so by the time we crash, we won’t care where we sleep.” Suz laughed.
“I’ll sleep on the beach for all I care. I hear this is unseasonably warm for the beginning of October,” I tore myself from the view and tackled my bag, worried once again I didn’t bring the right things to wear for the caliber of this party.
“Well, have fun. Be sure to explore the grounds and enjoy. Hey Sophie, ready? I only have a couple of hours to go, and need to get set up.” Suz thumbed toward the door. The second they left, Maisy flew to the bed, landing in the middle and sinking down like it was a fluffy cloud.
“Ah. Wake me in a few hours when it’s time to party,” she exclaimed, wrapping her fingers behind her head. Poor girl had been studying so hard lately, I didn’t blame her for wanting to rest.
“I’m going to see if I can meander to the beach. I’ll be back later.” Maisy barely noticed me walking out the door.
With so much activity going on setting up for the party, I steered clear of the main house. Who lives here? Seriously, though, it seemed a little too much. I never gave much thought to being filthy rich. I simply needed enough to be comfortable.
I kept following the path toward the ocean, and eventually I arrived there. Once I flipped off my sandals, the sand beneath my toes grounded me, tying me to the earth, in a feeling so surreal—I couldn’t believe this was my life right now. I even rolled up the legs of my jeans and dared poke toes in the cold water.
For a while, I sat, just watching the waves roll in, simply being one with time and motion. With all the hustle I’d put into the deli since arriving in the city, the peaceful moment to relax in a place like this did my soul good. How fortunate were the people here who get to enjoy it as their backyard?
The sunlight, sand, and surf did wonders. After a while, my mind engaged in thoughts about home and the people I loved, drifting eventually to Uncle Doug and the deli. Even Rex popped in, taking up space with his handsome looks and grumbly voice.
Why him? He’d left so abruptly—again—from the deli yesterday, I should put him right out of my mind.
“Ugh,” I sighed back into the sand, closed my eyes, and wished I could.
At the party, I fit right in with my short satin wrap dress the color of butterscotch, paired with tortoise shell strappy sandals. Both things I had picked up from a little boutique near our apartment. Maisy looked casually chic in a strapless floral maxi dress. We waved to Sophie and Suz and then tried to find the bar.
No matter how we dressed, at a party like this, I still felt out of place. So many people crowded into the space on the sprawling green lawn, spilling over to the pool area, and eventually a bar was in sight.
“Is that Archer?” Maisy gasped, pointing to the side while we waited in the long line. “And his brother? ”
Sure enough, he and Brooks were standing nearby and spotted us. “Small world,” Brooks called out, smiling and waving us over. We stepped out of the line and joined them.
“Yes, it is,” Maisy gushed. The look on her face as she smiled coyly at Archer was returned by him. Hm. Guess something serious brewed between them, after all. I’d have to have a talk with her later about it. She was still young and just about to graduate. I hated for anything or anyone to hold her back from getting everything she ever wanted with her budding career.
After we told them how we ended up here, Brooks teased. “So, you’re party crashers? Not to worry, I know the owner. I’ll just tell him you’re with me.”
“I appreciate that,” I laughed with him, noticing the twinkle in his hazel eyes for me. I liked him…as a friend. His reddish brown hair and whiskers with slight freckles across the nose were so boy-next-door cute…but he wasn’t dashing. His friendliness and attentiveness were sweet, but he didn’t make my heart go pitter-patter.
“Let’s get you ladies some drinks. What’ll you have?” He asked.
“Sex on the Beach.” Maisy called out. Archer raised his brow with a crooked smile.
“Well, we’re on Long Island, so…iced tea, please?” I asked, and the two men went to the line.
Maisy grabbed my arm. “Oh my God, Archer is so gorgeous. I can’t believe he’s here. I really like him.” Oh no, her dreamy eyes were a huge flag.
“Sweetie, just take your time. Don’t rush into anything. You have?—”
“—your whole life ahead of you. Yeah, okay, mother hen.” She smirked.
“Seriously, though, you are such a smart woman,” I complimented her, brushing her blonde curls over her shoulder. “I hate to see you put off your dreams for a man at this early stage of your life. Believe me, I put off all my dreams after Dad…and I don’t regret it, but you have the chance to do big things at this stage of your life.”
“Yes, like finally losing my virginity to a sexy older man.” She winked at me, then trained her eyes on Archer again as they finally made it to the front of the line.
“Maisy-girl! Are you really thinking?—”
“Hell, yes, I’m thinking. Chels, I’m almost done with college and I’ve never been so attracted to a man before, what with the way we talk and talk and how he makes me laugh. We get along so well, and I know it’s all been by text, but now he’s here. It’s a sign. He has to be the one. Maybe not forever, who knows, but tonight…I think Archer will take very good care of me.” She wiggled her eyebrows, paired with a coy smile.
I shook my head, knowing I couldn’t prevent my sister from doing what she wanted, but I at least could make sure she had protection because I knew she wasn’t on the pill. “Do you have a condom?”
“Yes, Sophie filled my purse with some. Now stop fussing over me and worry about having a good time yourself. Brooks is so funny and cute. Honestly, if I hadn’t met Archer first, I might have gone for him.”
The brothers approached us with our drinks in hand, and we chatted for a while. Archer had similar coloring as Brooks, but slightly darker, and while Brooks was a fun-loving, easy-going sort, Archer was an intellectual with a quietly keen sense of humor who could knock your socks off with a punchline and a devilish grin delivered at the right time.
I kept my eye on my sister until finally Archer asked Maisy to dance. Surprisingly, he had some moves, and they were enjoying themselves. I guess she’s right, that I shouldn’t worry so much about her.
Brooks sighed and leaned in. “We may be twins, but I’m not a great dancer. Otherwise, I’d ask you?—”
“Oh, no, it’s okay. I’m not sure I could dance with these heels, anyway. I’d topple over.”
“I’d catch you.” Brooks stared into my eyes with so much intention in them, but I just…I couldn’t return the look. And it wasn’t fair to him, with so many other beautiful women around he could chase after. I should make it clear I see him only as a friend.
Suddenly, over his shoulder, I spotted Rex, focused on me with his dark eyes despite the gorgeous model-type woman he was standing with, who was trying to get his attention. My heart jumped…exactly the kind of reaction I’d been fighting every time he was anywhere near me. Brooks kept talking, but I couldn’t hear a word, as if Rex held me under his spell .
It took some commotion from the dance floor to tear me away, finding a woman had interrupted Maisy and Archer. Clearly, he knew her because his face reacted, especially when the woman threw her arms around him. Maisy gasped.
Brooks reacted. “Oh shit. That’s Archer’s ex Brianne. He spent the past year pining away for her.”
When the woman let him go, there were some words exchanged we couldn’t hear, then she hooked her arm with his, and walked away with him…and Archer didn’t bother to look back.
Maisy’s face shattered, and she took off through the crowd.
“Maisy? Stop,” I ran after her, but a surge of people blocked my way as a performer took the stage and music blared from huge speakers I hadn’t noticed earlier. I pushed my way through the best I could, with my drink crashing to the ground as I got bumped along the way.
Brooks was behind me, yelling, “I’ll help you find her!”
Finally, I reached the edge of the sea of people, with a lawn stretched before me. In the moonlight, I could see Maisy running toward the beach, pretty fast given her low-sandals as opposed to my heels. I stopped to take them off and Brooks passed me by.
“Don’t worry. Let me talk to her and explain about Archer and his ex.” He took off running before I could protest, so I brought out my phone from my pocket and texted her.
Chelsea: Please come back. Let’s talk .
This played right into all my reasons for worrying about her, but I trusted Brooks to find her and bring her back.
“Is everything okay?” A deep voice behind me shocked me, and I turned right into the chest of Rex. My hands landed on his pecs and he caught me up, circling my arms in his grip. Breath escaped me as I tilted my face up, his mere inches away from mine. This close to him, my body tingled head to toe.
“Rex,” I whispered.
“Chelsea,” he whispered back. And my heart…pounded out of my chest.