Page 74 of Falling for the Billionaire Best Man

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DORIE

This wedding was going to be the death of me. Between trying to keep up with my regular work, Eliza’s cake, and the looming threat of losing my business, it all felt like it was too much.

Kaisen’s betrayal wasn’t helping.

He was the last person I wanted to see, which was really inconvenient considering he was the best man. I was stuck. And boy was I so happy Eliza and Cullen decided to combine their bachelor and bachelorette parties. That meant I got to see him even more.

Lucky me.

Eliza was expecting me in Atlantic City tomorrow for the bachelorette weekend, but I had to finish up my cake orders for the week. Toby was going to be running the bakery alone all weekend, and he couldn’t be finishing orders during that time, so I needed to get this done now.

Once I finished this last cake, I had to pick up my car from the shop. I didn’t even want to think about how much the repair bill was going to be. The mechanic gave me one estimate and then called me to ask for approval for this and then that and then more. It was probably going to cost more than the damn car.

I was elbow deep in frosting, trying to get the swirls just right on Eliza’s cake, when my phone buzzed on the counter. I wiped my hands on my apron and glanced at the screen.

Kaisen.

Again.

My stomach twisted. I had not spoken to him or answered his many calls and texts. Not since I’d found out the truth about his involvement in the bakery deal. I ignored it like I had every other time he called.

I returned my focus to the birthday cake that would be picked up tomorrow morning. The frosting swirls came out uneven. I cursed under my breath. I couldn’t afford to mess this up. This cake was for one of my regulars, a sweet old lady who’d been coming here for years. She deserved better than a sloppy job.

I took a deep breath and tried to steady myself. Kaisen wasn’t worth a second thought. I was not going to let him get under my skin. Then again, I was trying to do a good job to gain return business for a bakery that would probably be gone in a couple months.

I dipped the spatula back into the bowl of frosting, determined to fix the swirls. But my hands were trembling just enough to make it impossible. I set the spatula down and leaned against the counter. I couldn’t keep pretending I was fine.

The cake was finally finished and boxed up by the time I had to leave to pick up my car before the mechanic shop closed. I cleaned up, hating to leave the space a mess.

Toby was out front, closing up for the day. “I’ve got to go get my car, Toby. I’ll be back to load up the cakes.”

He nodded, giving me a thumbs-up. “Got it, boss. See you in a bit.”

I walked out of the bakery. For some reason, I felt a hint of sadness. Soon, this was not going to look the same. The old buildings would be gone. Tall, ugly condo buildings would be standing here, blocking the view for anyone behind. The quaint, old-school look was going to be demolished.

The walk to the mechanic’s was short. I tried to enjoy the quiet, but my mind kept wandering back to Kaisen and what I’d found out about him. The way he’d talked about never wanting to get married or have kids. Why did I care? It wasn’t like we were going to be married. Or have kids.

I was just caught up in the idea of love and marriage and the actual baby carriage.

Wasn’t going to happen. At least not with Kaisen.

And that was fine. The guy was easily a ten and richer than God. Why would he want to settle down with me? It was silly. That was the kind of thing naive young women fantasized about. Not women who owned businesses and lived in the real world.

When I reached the auto shop, the mechanic looked like he was just closing up. I walked in, smiling nervously. “Hey, sorry it’s late. I’m here to pick up my car.”

The mechanic looked at me, his expression confused. “Your car? It’s not here.”

I froze, my stomach dropping. “What do you mean it’s not here?”

He scratched his head, looking uncomfortable. “Your husband called, told us to have it towed to a scrap yard. Said he was getting you a new one.”

I stared at him, my heart pounding. “My… husband? There’s been a terrible mistake. I don’t have a husband. And I need my car!”

The mechanic looked over my shoulder and he sagged with relief. “Mr. Seely, you’re just in time. I was just explaining to your wife⁠—”

I whirled around, stunned and absolutely beyond livid, to find Kaisen standing there. He looked calm, almost smug. I should have known. The asshole. Son of a bitch!