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

Oh, my. What had she agreed to? A cozy little dinner party with a bunch of billionaires, and her with a solid low five-figure income, no degree, no prestige...what would they have to talk about? When it was just her and Cole, she tended to forget he was so rich and accomplished. She was suddenly having second thoughts.

“Don’t even think about backing out. I can hear your brain turning.”

“Who said I was having second thoughts?” If she was good at anything, it was bluffing. Bluffing being strong, bluffing being independent, bluffing being...whole. But that was another story and one she was not planning to share with Cole.

He just laughed lightly. “Raelynn is cooking up a feast. Come hungry.”

“Should I bring anything?”

“Just yourself. See you at six.”

He was gone before she could say another word. It was fine. She’d met Tori before, and she was lovely. And it was just dinner. She could excuse herself if it was too much and walk home. Besides, she was curious to see what changes Cole had made. Ernest had had a decorator do the house, and she’d always thought the furniture a little heavy and dark. Had Cole kept the same vibe or done something very different? She knew he’d done some renos, but the work crews hadn’t been there a very long time.

She put the knitting away and decided to take a bath and think about what to wear. She was having dinner with not one but three billionaires, wasn’t she? And Jeremy’s wife and Branson’s girlfriend. There was no question that she was Cole’s date. Even though it was a casual “round out the table” date, they were still paired up.

Second thoughts bubbled up again.

The bath and lavender salts helped to relax her, and she dressed in black leggings and her favorite long sweater that she’d knit herself, with drop sleeves and a V-neck. It was knit out of cashmere in a pinky-red rhubarb shade, and she slid on her favorite boots, brown leather ones that were well loved and classic, stopping at just below her knee. There was a bit of a debate in her head about wearing her hair up or down, but she decided to put it up in a top knot because she liked how it emphasized the V-neckline.

And because her clothing choices were still somewhat casual, she took extra time with makeup, going a little heavier than usual with her eyes and then a neutral lip. When she was done she pressed a hand to her stomach to calm her nerves. Dinner. It was dinner, for Pete’s

sake. Not an actual date. Not really. They weren’t going to be alone or anything.

There was an odd little beep outside her house and she peered out the window. One of the golf carts was parked out front, and the man behind the wheel had to be Raelynn’s husband, who worked as the caretaker. She laughed out loud. Even on this tiny island, Cole had somehow managed to send a driver to get her.

She went outside and approached, smiling at the man sitting patiently. “Hi, I’m Brooklyn.”

“Dan,” he replied, grinning back.

“Dan, I just need to let my dog out before I go. Do you mind waiting?”

“Of course not. I’ve heard about your dog. Cole talks about him.”

“He does?”

He nodded. “My dad says that Cole was never allowed to have a dog at the house, but he always liked them. The Abbott house wasn’t one for...well, I don’t know. It was a bit sterile.”

She filed that tidbit away, but what he’d said prompted another question. “Your father knows Cole?”

“He was Cole’s father’s chauffeur for years. I spent most of my childhood near the Abbotts.”

Interesting. Brooklyn wondered why Cole had then hired Dan. Keeping it all in the family?

There was no time to ask, nor did she want to pry. Instead she went to let Marvin out, and once he’d had a pee and said hello to Dan, she put him back inside and slid into the cart. “Shall we?” she asked.

The sun was fading and there was a distinct chill in the air, though it wasn’t what Brooklyn would call cold. It took no time at all and they were at the house. Lights glowed from the windows, and Dan dropped her by the front door. “Let me know when you want to go home, Ms. Graves.”

“Please, call me Brooklyn. It’s a small island and we should all be friends.”

He smiled at that, a big genuine smile. “All right. Anyway, just let me know. There’s no need for you to walk home in the dark.”

She appreciated it, though she fully planned to walk. She knew this island like the back of her hand, dark or light. And there was something magical about being on an island, surrounded by the Atlantic, and looking up at the stars. It was awesome and humbling.

He drove away and Brooklyn was left with her next dilemma. Knock? Or let herself in? With Ernest, she’d always just knocked and stuck her head in the door, calling out. They’d had that sort of relationship. It was different with Cole, so she lifted the door knocker and rapped it smartly against the huge solid wood door.

CHAPTER SIX

THE DOOR OPENED and Raelynn smiled out at her. “Brooklyn! I’m so glad you came.”