Page 66 of Falling for the Billionaire Best Man

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KAISEN

Iwoke up well after dawn, the sunlight streaming through the curtains. For a moment, I forgot where I was, the unfamiliar surroundings throwing me off. Then I saw Rick, Dorie’s cat, perched on the end of the bed, glaring at me like he was deciding if he was going to scratch my foot or eat my toe. I blinked, my brain slowly catching up, and then it hit me—I was in Dorie’s bed.

“You bite my toe and I’m not giving you any treats,” I warned him.

He said nothing.

Obviously.

He was a cat.

I rolled over, expecting to see Dorie asleep beside me, but the space was empty. I reached out to touch the spot where she’d been. The sheets were cool, telling me she’d been up for a while. I sat up, running a hand through my hair as I tried to shake off the remnants of sleep. Rick’s eyes followed my every move, his claws flexing like he was daring me to put a foot wrong. I smirked, reaching out to pet him on the head before he could react. He hissed at me, his tail flicking in annoyance, but I just chuckled. I’d befriend that cat if it was the last thing I did.

I got out of bed, careful not to make any sudden movements that might provoke Rick. I picked up my underwear and jerked them on. The condo was quiet. I walked out of the bedroom, my bare feet padding against the cool hardwood floors. I found Dorie pacing the kitchen. She was on the phone, her hair loose and messy, wearing nothing but a tight tank top and a pair of underwear. She looked incredible—undone, natural, and completely unaware of how stunning she was.

I had never woken up with a woman before. This was a first for me. I liked it.

Last night, she had given me an out. She told me to leave. Any other time I would have been thrilled with the easy excuse to part ways. But I didn’t want to leave. Being in bed with her was so comfortable. So good. It would have taken a real emergency to drag me out of her embrace.

I leaned against the doorway, watching her as she talked. Her voice was low, her tone serious. I could tell something was wrong. She looked shattered, her expression tense as she listened to whoever was on the other end of the line.

“Okay, I will,” she said, her voice soft. “I know, I feel terrible for them, but I honestly don’t know what to do at this point. I’ll check with Annie and let you know.”

She hung up the phone, her shoulders slumping as she let out a heavy sigh. When she turned and saw me, she tried to force a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. I could see right through it.

“Hey,” I said, stepping into the kitchen. “What happened?”

She hesitated, shaking her head. “It’s nothing. Just… work stuff.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Dorie, you don’t have to hold back with me. What’s going on?”

She sighed. “I need coffee.”

I flashed a grin. “Guess it’s a good thing you’ve got a fancy machine.”

I followed her into the kitchen, staying silent. I wasn’t going to press her on the matter yet. I’d let her get a dose of coffee.

She poured the water into the machine, her movements slow and deliberate, like she was trying to buy time. The machine hissed as it began to brew, filling the kitchen with the rich scent of coffee. Dorie stared at it like it held the answers to all her problems.

I stepped closer, my voice softening. “Talk to me.”

“It’s the shops on the waterfront. The brokerage firm is getting more aggressive. They’re sending letters, making threats. A shop a few buildings down just folded, and my neighbor is trying to get a lawyer involved. He wants me to do the same, but…” She trailed off, her voice breaking.

“But what?”

She looked up at me, her eyes filled with worry. “I don’t know what to do, Kaisen. It’s not just my business. It’s a ripple effect.”

“What does that mean?” I asked.

“Toby would be out of a job if I closed down,” she said with a sigh. “Thankfully, he’s my only employee, but still. He’s supporting his mom right now. And Mrs. Watts—she’s a single mom and a nurse with a young daughter. They live in the apartment upstairs. If I lose the building, they’d be out of a home in a terrible market. I’m bound to protect them, but I feel so hopeless.”

“Dorie, let me help. I have connections. I can⁠—”

She shook her head, cutting me off. “No. It’s my mess. My business. I’ll figure it out. I don’t need you to swoop in and save the day.”

I frowned and was about to say something, but she moved to grab a couple of cups. “I don’t have vanilla or whatever you put in yours. I’ve got milk, sugar, and chocolate syrup. I’m sure we can make it better for you.”