Page 118 of Falling for the Billionaire Best Man

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DORIE

Itold myself I was coming down to the beach for one reason: to give Kaisen the earrings back. That was it. Simple. Clean. No emotions, no messy conversations. Just hand them over, walk away, and try to move on. It was over before it started. It was better to make a clean break and let him go.

But deep down, I knew that wasn’t the whole truth. I’d worn them tonight because they made me feel close to him, even if it was just for a little while. Maybe I was expecting him to notice and realize he wanted me back. But I didn’t want to get hurt again. The wedding was over. He would be going back to New York, and I would be here.

It would be business as usual. I had to accept things. I had my fun and now the real world was calling and waiting for me. I had real problems that demanded my attention—like a new oven. Like figuring out how to afford said oven.

But that was a problem for Monday.

I made my way down to the beach. Eliza told me Cullen had come out here to talk to Kaisen. And there he was. My heart skipped a beat. I watched him for several minutes. There was a glass of scotch in his hand and his shoulders were slightly drooped. Cullen was talking to him, but Kaisen was staring at the water. He looked broken. And as much as I wanted to be angry with him, to hold on to the hurt he’d caused, all I felt was this overwhelming ache in my chest. I didn’t want to eavesdrop, but I also didn’t want to interrupt what looked like a serious conversation.

I watched Kaisen hand Cullen something. I couldn’t see Cullen’s expression, but his body language said he was surprised. I couldn’t resist stepping closer.

I told myself I wasn’t really eavesdropping. It was just me wondering what they were talking about because it concerned my sister.

Right, Dorie.

“Kaisen, this is too much. I can’t accept this,” Cullen said, his voice low but carrying a note of disbelief.

I froze, my breath catching in my throat. Too much? My curiosity got the better of me, and I inched closer, squinting to see what Kaisen had handed him. It was a check. A big one, judging by the way Cullen stared at it like it might disappear if he blinked too hard.

“You can, and you will,” Kaisen replied. “Consider it a wedding gift. You deserve it, Cullen. Both of you. I know you guys are ready to get out of the city.”

My heart clenched. A wedding gift? This wasn’t just some token gesture. Kaisen was giving them something life-changing. I felt a lump rise in my throat as I watched Cullen fold the check and tuck it into his pocket, his expression a mix of gratitude and awe.

“Thank you. Seriously,” Cullen said, his voice thick with emotion. “You’re a good man, Kaisen. You deserve a lot more than you’re letting yourself have.”

Kaisen chuckled softly, but there was no real humor in it. “Just make sure you have a nice couch or maybe a guest room for me when I visit.”

I didn’t want to continue listening to their private conversation. I didn’t want to lose my nerve. I needed to give back the earrings and get the hell away from him. I took a deep breath, steadying myself, and walked toward the men.

After Cullen left, we stood there staring at each other.

“I’m sorry,” I said at the same time he said, “I need to apologize.”

We both stopped, staring at each other for a moment before he shook his head. “You have nothing to be sorry for,” he said. “This is on me.”

“You don’t owe me an apology,” I said. “You owe me nothing.”

“I do,” he said. “I got caught up. I’m sorry for everything. I shouldn’t have let things get so confusing. That’s my fault.”

“No, it’s not,” I argued, my voice trembling. “You are not required to be with someone you don’t want to be with. You don’t owe me an apology.”

“That’s not what happened,” he said.

I shook my head. I had to get out my apology before I broke into tears and lost my nerve. “I held it against you, Kaisen. Even after you fixed the situation with the brokerage firm, even after you pulled them off me, I held it against you. And that wasn’t fair. The SUV. All of it. You’ve done so much for me. Please just know I truly appreciate all of it. I owe you so much.”

He sighed. “You don’t owe me anything.”

“I just want you to know I understand,” I said. “I’m sorry I was… well, less than grateful. I was hurt and I lashed out.”

“You only did that because I pulled away first. I’m the one who messed this up. I’m the asshole here. The dumbest man to ever live. Please, don’t apologize. I can’t take it. I already feel like a total dick for the way I treated you.”

I could see the pain in his expression. Hear it in his voice. He was tearing himself down. I couldn’t let him do that.

I shook my head, tears welling in my eyes. “Stop it. Just stop. You’re not dumb, Kaisen. You’re just scared. And I get that. I do. But you’re not a bad man. You can’t force feelings. Don’t be mad at yourself for not feeling something. You’re a good man, Kaisen. You’ll find the right woman.”