Page 19 of Falling for the Billionaire Best Man

8

KAISEN

Ipoured two glasses of wine, my eyes flicking to Dorie. She wandered through the mansion, her fingers trailing over the antique mantel in the formal living room. She was ignoring the modern flourishes—the sleek furniture, the updated kitchen—and focusing on the historic details. The old wallpaper, the intricate trim, the cast-iron fireplace. Things I loved too but rarely saw anymore in my line of work. Everyone wanted fast, sleek, and modern. Metal and glass. Not real wood and craftsmanship that had stood the test of time.

But Dorie seemed impressed with all the old work in the house. I found myself noticing the little details about her. I watched the way her smile lit up her whole face. It was… captivating. I didn’t want to admit it, but there was something about her that drew me in. Something real, unpretentious, and entirely unlike anyone I usually spent time with.

Dorie glanced over her shoulder at me, holding her glass of wine. “So, Cullen and Eliza’s trip… did you know about it before they left?”

“Not a clue. Cullen called me after I got back from the tasting to say they were enjoying a romantic getaway. At the time, he didn’t mention you’d be showing up to check on me. I wasn’t aware I needed a babysitter.”

She laughed. The sound the sweetest melody. It was the first time I heard her actually laugh. Our interactions thus far had been fraught with tension and animosity.

“Well, Eliza thought you might’ve already turned this place into a frat house. She didn’t want her bridal shower ruined. Nothing nasty.”

“Fair enough,” I said. “Though if I were throwing a frat party, I guarantee you’d hear about it.”

Dorie rolled her eyes but smiled. “I’m sure I would. Cape May isn’t exactly a big town. News travels fast around here.”

“What time do you think they’ll get into town Tuesday?” I asked.

Dorie rolled her eyes, sipping her wine. “Don’t expect them to be here at all next week,” she said, her tone dry.

I raised an eyebrow. “Why’s that?”

She looked at me over her shoulder, a knowing smile on her lips. “Eliza doesn’t plan. She just goes where the wind blows her. My guess is they’ll spend a few days in Atlantic City and slowly make their way here, stopping at every place that looks interesting to her.”

“Good for them,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

Dorie caught it immediately, her smile widening. “Yeah, it must be nice.”

“Has Eliza always been like that?” I asked. “I’ve only known her as a lawyer.”

“Always,” she said, her voice tinged with both amusement and exasperation. “Even when we were kids, Eliza was the one who’d convince me to sneak out of the house at midnight to go stargazing or drag me on some spontaneous road trip without telling our parents. She’s always been free-spirited. It’s like she lives in a different world where rules don’t apply by night, but by day, she will kick ass in the courtroom.”

“Sounds exhausting.”

“It is,” Dorie admitted, her smile softening. “But it’s also kind of amazing. She’s charming and beautiful and really smart. I think that’s why Cullen fell for her. He’s so grounded, and she keeps him on his toes.”

I studied her as she spoke, the way she smiled when she talked about her sister. There was a warmth there, a deep fondness that made me curious. “And what about you?” I asked, leaning casually against the counter opposite her. “Are you like Eliza? You’re twins, right?”

She hesitated, her gaze dropping to her wine glass as she swirled the liquid inside. “I like plans and routines, but I also have my moments of impulsivity. Though they usually end with me regretting it later.”

There was something wistful in her tone, maybe even a little bitter. It made me curious. She certainly seemed different than Eliza, who was all spontaneity and charm. Dorie seemed grounded, practical, and maybe a little guarded. I wanted to know more about her.

“So, you’re the Type A in the twin relationship,” I said.

She shrugged. “I suppose. But Eliza can be. When it came down to studying, she would lock herself in her room and completely focus.”

“How long have you lived in Cape May?” I asked. “It seems kind of an odd place to land. I think Eliza told me you guys were from Maine, right?”

“Yes, we grew up in Maine. I moved to NYC to go to pastry school while Eliza was doing prelaw. I always wanted to open a bakery, but New York City is tough. There is a lot of competition, and the prices were steep. Way too much for a young twenty-something. I saw the bakery here and this is where I ended up.”

“Do you like it here?” I asked.

“It’s beautiful.” She shrugged.

“But do you like it here?”