Page 88 of Falling for the Billionaire Best Man

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DORIE

Iwatched him pull on his shirt and was suddenly very tempted to take him up on his offer to say screw Eliza and Cullen. Last night had been unexpected. And amazing. I couldn’t help but feel a little nervous about all of this. What was this? What were we doing?

He turned to me. “You okay?”

“Yes,” I said quickly. “Just thinking about how late I am.”

He stepped closer, his hand cupping my cheek. “You sure that’s all?”

“I’m sure,” I lied. “Go. I need to get ready.”

He leaned in, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I’ll see you tonight.”

“Yeah,” I whispered, my voice catching in my throat. “Tonight.”

He grinned, that cocky smirk that always made my heart race. “Don’t stress too much today. Eliza’s going to be fine.”

“I’ll try,” I said.

I watched him walk out.

Waking up in Kaisen’s arms had been amazing. The way he’d tried to coax me back into bed. His gentle kisses and soft touches. It had all been so perfect. Too perfect, maybe. But I didn’t have time to dwell on it.

I had exactly five minutes before I was supposed to meet Eliza and the girls at the spa. I had to shower, change, and get downstairs before Eliza started sending out a search party. With her angrily leading the charge.

There was no way she would ever forgive me if I missed her very long, drawn-out bachelorette party weekend. She wanted to do all the things. And I really did want to be there for her.

I tore off my robe and jumped into the shower. It was probably silly to be showering before the spa, but after everything last night, I needed to. My mind kept drifting back to Kaisen, to the way he’d looked at me, the way he’d asked me to come back to him tonight. It was all so new, so overwhelming, but in the best possible way. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt this wanted. And sexy.

I stepped out of the shower and quickly toweled off, throwing on the first swimsuit I could find in my suitcase. It was a simple black one-piece, nothing fancy, but as I looked at myself in the mirror, I felt a newfound sense of confidence. I didn’t see the dimples on my thighs. I didn’t focus on the pudge I could never get rid of.

Nope. I looked at a woman that had attracted a man like Kaisen Seely. He looked at me like I was the only person in the world that mattered.

And for the first time in a long time, I was starting to believe that I deserved to be happy. I could have the dream. Eliza wasn’t the only sister worthy of marrying a good man that spoiled her.

I put the robe on over my bathing suit, put on my sandals, and raced downstairs to the spa. Despite my best efforts, I was a few minutes lates.

When I walked in, I was greeted by the sound of laughter and the clinking of glasses. Eliza and the girls were already there, lounging by the indoor pool with mimosas in hand.

Eliza spotted me immediately and waved me over.

“There you are!” she said, her tone teasing but her eyes warm. “We were starting to think you’d bailed on us.”

“Sorry,” I said, setting my bag down and grabbing a mimosa from the tray. “I overslept.”

Eliza raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharp and knowing. “Overslept, huh? You sure that’s all it was?”

I felt my cheeks heat up, but I played it cool, taking a sip of my drink. “Yes, Eliza. I overslept. It’s been a stressful few weeks at the bakery, okay? I needed the rest.”

She studied me for a moment, then smiled. “Well, whatever it is, I’m glad you’re here. You seem different. Happier, maybe.”

I shrugged, trying to brush it off. “I don’t know about that. I just got a good night’s sleep, that’s all.”

Eliza didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t push it. “I’m just glad you’re here, Dorie. Really. I know this weekend is supposed to be about me, but I don’t know. I feel like we haven’t had a chance to really talk in a while.”

I looked at her with surprise. Eliza wasn’t usually one for heart-to-hearts. “What do you mean?” I asked.