The Billionaire's Island Bride (South Shore Billionaires 3)

“Dad was a workaholic in an unworkable marriage. I don’t want that for myself. So... I’ve never been much for relationships. I mean, that’s just setting myself up for failure, isn’t it? And I’m desperately trying to find the right balance so I can keep Abbott strong enough to withstand this economy, without putting myself in the hospital.”

“Good thing you don’t have high expectations of yourself, then,” she quipped and smiled. “That’s a lot of p

ressure on one person.”

“I have a lot of responsibilities.”

Brooklyn didn’t quite get that, because she had deliberately set up her own life to be simple. Perhaps too simple, really. She loved the island, but was it enough to keep her through all her days?

When Cole had arrived on the island, she’d wanted nothing more than to keep everything exactly the same. But was that reasonable? Staying exactly the same meant she’d never be married, or have children of her own. She’d live alone in her grandparents’ house and what, knit for the rest of her life?

“What is it?” Cole asked. “You suddenly looked very sad.”

“Nothing, really. Just realizing how life carries us along with it no matter what we plan.”

Before he could ask her what she meant, her phone buzzed. Grateful for the interruption, she rolled over and retrieved it from the table beside the bed. Dr. Thorpe had sent through a photo of Marvin, who was awake and apparently very groggy.

Power’s on for real and Marvin’s awake.

He’d punctuated it with a smiley face.

“Look,” she said, rolling back and showing him the screen. “Marvin’s loopy but conscious.” She felt so much relief she was lightheaded with it. “Again, thank you so much.”

“Turns out this has worked out okay for me,” he said softly, brushing a piece of her hair behind her ear. “I’m here with you, aren’t I?”

And yet his words about not wanting a relationship still echoed. Brooklyn struggled to define what was happening between them. They were neighbors. Friends. She wasn’t exactly poor, but she had a very modest existence next to his lavish one. He had a high-powered career and she made a small living out of what had been a hobby. Their lives intersected in one small way—being on the island at the same time. But that was it.

So what did she want from this moment, right now, in a hotel room? It wasn’t sex. Not that she didn’t think it would be spectacular, because after what had happened on the beach she was sure there would be fireworks. But it would also make her incredibly vulnerable, and she wasn’t ready for that. Not when there was no future in it.

“Cole...”

“Don’t say it. I can see it on your face, and it’s okay. Let’s just get up, order some food and figure out what’s next.”

He wasn’t going to push. She appreciated it and respected him for it. She was also a little disappointed in herself. Why was it so hard to reach out and take the opportunity before her?

Her throat tightened. The answer was simple, but certainly not easy to acknowledge. The truth was, one afternoon out of her lifetime had changed everything. It had made her seek guarantees, and in the absence of guarantees, she couldn’t bring herself to take chances. And that was okay, wasn’t it? Everyone made choices based on past experiences. After all, Cole had made several choices based on his upbringing and his father’s death. He’d just said so.

Moreover, the only guarantee she wanted from him was that he’d leave her property alone, and he’d essentially done that already.

So she smiled as Cole rolled off the bed and reached for the in-room dining menu. In a matter of hours she’d be taking Marvin back home and life would get back to normal, wouldn’t it? And despite her recent “is this all there is” thoughts, she was at least happy that she’d had the power to make those choices for herself.

Cole ordered up a feast of brunch foods: omelets, home fries, crisp bacon, a fruit platter with ripe berries, grapes and melon, pastries, and lots of coffee.

When their bellies were full, they ventured outside to the mile-long beach and listened to the pounding surf left over from the storm. The sun had come out, but there was a mess of driftwood and seaweed strewn behind on the normally pristine white sand. The crisp breeze was invigorating, and when they returned to the resort, they learned from the staff that power was slowly being restored across the province.

The island was sure to still be without, but she could manage with the generator—

The generator! In her haste last night, she’d forgotten to start it up at the house. Now it had been twenty-four hours and her fridge and freezer were sure to be thawed. Dammit! All her food would be wasted.

When she said as much to Cole, he frowned and fired off a text to Dan.

“It’s too late,” she lamented. “Dan can’t do anything, Cole. It should have been done first thing this morning at the latest. I was planning on returning home this morning and starting it up if the power wasn’t back on.”

But Cole merely smiled and handed over his phone.

Thought of it and went to the house this morning. Damage is minimal and the generator’s working fine. Will refuel it tonight.

She stared at the screen. “Dan did that?”