Page 48 of The Billionaire Invitation

“You?” Jaylyn laughed. “I think we were all wondering about that when we heard he was meeting with you. Dante isn’t the warmest and fuzziest of my brothers.”

“Who does that honor belong to?”

Jaylyn thought for a minute before deciding, “I think Brody. He’s the most demonstrative.”

Honesty forked another bite of lemon cake into her mouth. “Do you think Dante belongs in Chicago?”

“I think he belongs with his siblings. We’ve roosted here—everyone but him. Since he’s taken over that foundation, he’s been so damn serious. It’s like he has this duty to fulfill. He needs to let go of some of that duty and have a good time. But what do I know? I’m having a good time and lack any sense of duty.” She chuckled. “There should be a penalty for using the word duty that many times in a row.”

The second round of cakes was an array of colors and flavors. After they’d each had bites of strawberry mousse, peach, pistachio, and lavender—the conversation turned to the wedding.

“I can’t believe they haven’t set a date.” Honesty couldn’t imagine planning a wedding with no idea when it would happen. Wasn’t that rule number one when it came to weddings? To set a date? Maybe billionaires didn’t do it that way.

“Those two bring new meaning to flying by the seats of their pants.”

“Dante said he was best man. Is he sticking around until they wed or is he going to fly in for the ceremony?”

The cake Jaylyn had lifted to her open mouth hovered there for a second before she put her fork down. “Would you like him to stick around?”

Rather than answer, Honesty tried another bite of lavender cake. She chewed, swallowed, and decided, “This is too floral. Strawberry is the clear winner.”

Jaylyn stared at her wordlessly.

“I want him to do whatever is best for him,” Honesty said. “I think you and I both know that’s what he will do anyway.”

Jaylyn emitted a delicate snort. She tasted the strawberry cake again and then agreed that it was the best of this round.

“Why do you want him to move to Chicago so badly?”

“One by one I watched my older brothers grow up and leave. Eventually, it was down to me. I was alone with Dad. Which is fine. But also, not as fun. I miss being around my brothers. Even if Christmas was weird with all four of our moms and dad under one roof.”

Honesty couldn’t relate to Jaylyn’s rare upbringing. “What’s your mom like?”

“The Great Vera Gray? She’s the coolest. Taught me how to smudge.” Jaylyn mimed waving a bundle of smoking sage. “She embraces her unique nature. But stability and roots?” Jaylyn shook her head. “Not her thing.”

Honesty was finally seeing the bigger picture. As the youngest, Jaylyn had watched Zander, Brody, and Dante fly the coop, leaving her behind. She had chosen to stay with her father—who had been stable in his own way—instead of her mom, who sounded even less structured than Octavius. “So you felt alone. And now you don’t want to be alone.”

Ever the tough girl, Jaylyn shrugged her shoulders. “Me trying to get the band back together is less about my loneliness than it is about taking advantage of the time we have right now. There’s no sense in Dante living on the other side of the country when he has a niece and is going to be in at least two weddings—three if you count mine.”

“Are you getting married?”

“God, no,” Jaylyn said with an adamant shake of her head. “I barely date. But maybe someday. Don’t count me out yet.”

“I would never count anyone out.” Not Jaylyn Crane. Not herself. Life had a funny way of flipping on a dime.

“That said, who wants to start something when endings can be so hard? Women are the ones left putting the pieces back together after the dude does whatever he wants. Down with the patriarchy.” She raised a fist. “Is that the way you felt when Dante left? Sad for it to end, and left to put the pieces back together alone?”

“Um…” Honesty wasn’t sure what to say. Jaylyn didn’t mince words, that was for damn sure.

“Sorry. You don’t have to answer that. Sometimes I blurt out what’s on my mind, without thinking it through.”

“I admire your being forthright. Not many people are. Being sad and feeling like you’re in pieces doesn’t have to be the story we tell ourselves. What if we allowed an ending to simply be an ending? What if we treasure the memories from the time that has passed, without piling a bunch of bullshit on top of it.”

“Ha! Okay, fair enough.” Jaylyn regarded Honesty for a beat. “You are very wise. Dante is crazy for letting you get away. He probably wouldn’t have if he wasn’t so goddamned duty-bound.”

“Later we’re going to play a drinking game, and you have to do a shot every time you say duty.”

That made Jaylyn laugh.