“I’m looking forward to it. You’ve told me so much aboutthem, I feel as if I already know them. When does your mom fly in?” Zara asked.
“Tomorrow night.”
“That’s right. And your dad? It sounded like your last visit went well.”
I nodded. “He still has good days and bad days, but I’m always grateful to spend time with him. Jasper has made sure that we see them at least once a month, if not more.”
She sighed. “Ah. The perks of dating a billionaire.”
I laughed. “Something like that.”
“And you’re sure all his brothers are happily married?” she teased, though she already knew the answer. “He doesn’t have a secret half brother somewhere, does he?”
“No, but they have a good friend who’s practically a brother,” I said, thinking of Pierce.
“Is he single?” she asked. When I nodded, she added, “Is he a billionaire too?”
“No. Well…” I hedged. Pierce might not be a billionaire, but I got the feeling he had money. “Anyway, I’m kind of wondering if there’s something going on between him and Tabitha.”
“Ooh, really? Why do you think that?” Zara asked.
I lifted my shoulder as we turned onto our street. “I don’t know. Just a feeling.”
I couldn’t put my finger on the reason, but I’d seen the way they reacted to each other at the past few family gatherings. I sensed there was some tension between them.
“Mm.” She hummed. “Interesting.”
I pressed the button on the remote, waving to our security guard, Tim, as the gate swung open to reveal the tree-lined drive. It was a view that would never get old. It didn’t matter how many months we’d lived here; I was still in awe that this was my home. The limestone façade struck the perfect balance of modern and traditional, with the clay tileroof giving a nod to its Californian roots. But it was the inside that I loved most because it felt like home. Cozy and chic and effortless. Alexis had nailed it.
“Blimey, babes,” Zara said as we pulled up to the house. “Is that guy always at the gate?”
“Usually. But if not Tim, then someone else.” Jasper had insisted on hiring Hudson Security. If it gave him peace of mind, who was I to disagree?
“This place is even more gorgeous in person,” Zara said.
“Thanks.” We got out of the car, and I grabbed her suitcase from the trunk. “Come on. Kai can’t wait to see you.”
She marveled at the entryway. “This is incredible. All the artwork.” Zara shook her head, holding a hand to her mouth. “Halle.”
“I know.” I smiled.
“Did you pick all of these?”
I bit back a smile. “Perks of dating a billionaire,” I joked.
Unfortunately, the painting I’d loved all those months ago when Jasper and I had gone to view Dimitri’s collection was gone. Sold. I hoped whoever had purchased it appreciated it.
Zara nudged me. “That’s what did it, huh? He got you with that unlimited art budget?”
“No, but he does spoil me.” And not just with material things. Jasper spoiled me with affection and attention. He was my biggest cheerleader and champion, and he was amazing with Kai. He’d been exactly what we’d both needed.
“Good.” Zara wrapped her arm around my waist and gave me a hug. “You deserve to be spoiled. How’s work?”
“Good,” I said. “The sweepstakes ends soon, and I can’t wait to see the winners’ reactions.”
The sweepstakes had been a huge hit. Everyone was buzzing about it. We’d even hired a production company to film the winners and the prizes.
Thanks to the popularity of the competition, the boardhad been much more amenablewhen it came to Jasper’s ideas since then. And I’d been enjoying my new role as SVP more than I’d even expected. Running the company with Sloan and Jasper was a dream come true. Graham chimed in when necessary, but he seemed to be more than happy to take a supporting role to the three of us.
