Bidding On The Billionaire (The Sherbrookes of Newport Book 8) (14 page)

Making the first move never bothered him. He could walk up to any woman, start a conversation, and walk away with her phone number if he so desired. Something he didn’t do often anymore. In college he’d asked out every attractive woman who got his attention. Over the last few years though, he’d become more selective. While he still approached women, he only asked those he’d enjoyed speaking with for their number.

This morning the woman in question was not a stranger, and their relationship was about to undergo a drastic change. Even though he wanted that, the idea of messing with the status quo had him second-guessing himself. What if his feelings weren’t reciprocated? Telling her his innermost thoughts today could ruin the relationship they did have. Was it worth the risk?

Stop stalling
, he commanded.
She feels the same. She would’ve done a lot worse than pinch me last night if not
. Derek stepped inside the elevator and hit the button for the fifth floor.

***

Get up, brush teeth, and make coffee. She went through her normal Saturday morning routine even though her body wanted to stay tucked in bed. She’d learned while still in high school, if she allowed herself to sleep late on weekends and during vacations, it spelled disaster when she needed to go back to her regular routine. So even though she hated it, she got up at the same time every day, regardless of what time she went to sleep the night before. Most mornings it wasn’t a big deal. While she sometimes stayed up later when she didn’t have work the next day, she still usually made it to bed by eleven or twelve. Not so yesterday. By the time her parents left and she managed to stop thinking long enough to fall asleep, it had been well after three in the morning. She suspected she’d be paying for it all day.

With an audible sigh, she dropped into her favorite overstuffed chair, took a sip from her coffee, and reached for the magazine she’d left on the end table. Considering how comfortable she found the chair and how tired she was, she had no plans to move anytime soon. Heck, she might stay there until she either needed to use the bathroom or eat. Thank goodness her parents had canceled the family get-together tonight. Already she knew she’d be calling it an early night and she hadn’t even made it through the morning. No way would she have made it through a whole evening of Novak togetherness.

Brooklyn skimmed through the first article, an interview with actor Anderson Brady about his Clean Water Matters Foundation. She’d read an interview with him the month before in a different magazine and this one contained much of the same information. The only difference was in this newer version the reporter also asked him questions about his relationship with Selena Cruise. Honestly, she didn’t know either Anderson or Selena personally and didn’t care about their romantic life. Rather than start on the next story, a piece about a singer she never listened to, she flipped to the crossword puzzle in the back, which she’d started days ago. Sometimes she thought the only reason she bothered with
The Star Report
was for its great crossword puzzles.

She skipped down to twenty-seven across, the clue she’d gotten stuck on. She hated to cheat, but if she didn’t figure it out soon, she’d have to use the Internet and search for a possible answer. Otherwise, she’d be stuck waiting until next month’s edition to complete the puzzle. She wasn’t at that point just yet. If she could figure out twelve down, she’d have the first letter to twenty-seven across. Maybe it would be enough. Scanning down the page, she located the clue for twelve down.
Type of TV show
, the clue read. “
Reality
,” she said, picking up her pencil. Before she filled in the first square, the doorbell rang.

“Not again,” she groaned, closing her eyes. Her parents had said they were driving back to Connecticut this morning. Neither had mentioned another stop at her apartment first. Dealing with them at midnight when she’d felt more alert had been difficult enough. Considering her brain remained asleep despite her upright position, the task would be next to impossible now.

With another groan she stood, grabbed another swig of coffee, and shuffled to the door. “Don’t let anything either of them says bug you.” The night before, she’d let her dad’s words get under her skin, and as a result, she’d stayed awake obsessing about them. This morning, no matter what he or her mom said, she’d brush it off.

“I hope I didn’t wake you.”

Her head gave a little shake, but her mouth took longer to work. Trevor and not her parents stood there, holding a cup tray and a bakery box from Ambrosia. “Um, no. I’ve, uh, been up awhile.” She glanced at Trevor’s clothes. Dressed in a short-sleeved golf shirt, navy blue Bermuda shorts, and a pair of boat shoes that looked as if they’d never been anywhere near water, he looked awake and put together. Unlike her.

She touched the loose ponytail hanging over her shoulder and wished she’d added dressing to her routine this morning. While her pajamas covered everything, she didn’t make a habit of entertaining in them.

“I’m just being a little lazy today. Come on in.” Visitors hadn’t been part of her plan today, but she couldn’t leave him in the hallway either. Why had she left his name with security as a regular visitor they could allow upstairs without calling first?

Coming forward, he smiled before kissing her cheek. “I stopped and picked us up mini quiches and some muffins from Ambrosia. I figured you got home late last night and might not want to go out this morning. Grabbed some lattes too while I was there. Vanilla latte with whole milk and no extra sugar, right?” He pulled one large paper cup from the tray and held it out.

No, vanilla latte made with 2 percent milk and three extra sugars. But it’s the thought that counts, I guess
. Brooklyn smiled and accepted the cup. “Great. Thank you. I did get home on the late side.” No point in mentioning the friendly visit her parents paid her after the fundraiser.

Even though she didn’t want any guests at the moment, she couldn’t ask him to leave either. Especially after he’d made such an effort this morning. She led him into the kitchen, all the while wondering how long he planned on staying.

“I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I picked up a few different quiches. One has ham, two have spinach and tomato, and two more are mushroom and cheese. I asked for an assortment of muffins too.”

“I’m not too fussy and all three sounds delicious. You really didn’t have to do this for me.” She retrieved some plates and forks before sitting down at the kitchen island.

Trevor served her first before adding a mini quiche and what looked like a banana nut muffin to his plate. “I wanted to. Besides, we haven’t seen much of each other, and I’ve missed you.”

Considering how thoughtful and kind he was, she wished she shared the sentiment. She didn’t. When they weren’t together, she tended not to think much about him at all unless her parents or Derek mentioned him. “Wasn’t Katelyn supposed to be with you again this weekend?” During their last conversation, she thought he said his ex-wife asked him to take Katelyn until the following week.

“She’s spending a few nights at her friend Heather’s house. I thought I told you?”

Maybe he had, she honestly didn’t remember. During their last get-together, issues with her current trial and the darn auction had dominated her thoughts. “No, I don’t think so. But that sounds like a fun weekend for her. I remember you saying how close they are.” Brooklyn sipped the latte and wondered if he’d notice if she slipped some extra sugar into it. The whole milk she could get past. The lack of extra sugar was something else.

“Pictures from the fundraiser were all over the news this morning. And a large one of you and Derek took up much of the society section of today’s paper. I take it the event was a big success.”

The fundraiser remained at the bottom of her things to discuss with anyone.

“Evidently my sister Maggie went too. She called me this morning to tell me about it.” Trevor turned his attention to his food so she couldn’t see his face, but his tone let her know which picture of her and Derek the paper had printed.

“Seemed to be. But I’m glad it’s over, and if they do it again next year, I won’t be going.” She swallowed down another sip of her latte. Then gave in and went for the sugar in the cupboard.

“I’ve never met your sisters. Are they both younger than you?”

Trevor nodded and watched her spoon the sugar in. “Didn’t get it right, did I?”

“I prefer it with some sugar. No big deal. It’s easy to add some. So did both your sisters go last night?”

“No, only Maggie. Patty hates social events.”

“I can understand her sentiment.”

For several minutes, they ate in silence. Only when Trevor finished his muffin did he speak again. “I realize you have your obligation to Derek to fulfill. Any idea when you’ll be through with that?” His voice contained the same bite as it had when he’d mentioned the picture.

Should she explain all the couples had kissed on stage or let it go? She doubted her picture had been the only one in the paper. The photographer had captured all the couples before they walked off stage. At least a few of the others must have gotten printed too.

“Soon. He’s supposed to call me so we can arrange everything. We both want to get it over with as soon as possible.”

“Really?” He cast a side glance at her, one eyebrow cocked in disbelief.

“Trevor, we discussed this, and I thought you understood. What I did last night was a favor. Nothing more. Derek’s a close friend who needed my help. Besides—” She stopped herself and bit in to her muffin rather than say,
besides I never made any kind of commitment to you
.

“Besides what?” he asked, his gaze centered on her.

She swallowed, wishing she could keep her big mouth shut. “I… uh, know he’s not going to want to drag this out, because if he does, he won’t be able to see anyone else.”

The doorbell prevented Trevor from adding his opinion.

Not again
. She suppressed the urge to groan and hang her head. When she’d opened the door and found Trevor instead of her parents, she’d assumed she’d dodged the bullet of dealing with them again. It looked like she said her thank yous too soon.

“Expecting someone?”

“Nope, but I bet it’s my parents stopping to say good-bye. They’re heading home this morning.”

The unknown visitor rang the bell a second time.

What were the odds whoever stood out there would leave if she didn’t answer? She already had one unexpected guest. She didn’t need any more.

“Do you want me to answer it for you?”

For a moment, she considered his offer. If Trevor opened the door for her dad, it would go a long way to appeasing him after last night. On the other hand, letting him answer might give her dad the wrong impression. Better if she did it herself.

“I got it.” She hopped off the barstool. “Be right back.”

Brooklyn yanked the door open. “Mom, Dad….”

“What took you so long? Were you still in bed?” Derek asked.

She took a step into the foyer and tried to pull the door behind her. She’d never been less happy to see Derek in her life. “Yesterday was a late night, and I’m on the slow side this morning.”

“Good thing it’s Saturday then.”

She moved closer to him and closed the door more. “Yep. So are you on your way up to see your nephew?”

“Came by to see you so we can talk. Maybe I’ll stop up later and see Kendrick. Not sure.”

She went to push up her glasses, but her fingertip landed on bare skin instead. “Oh, I thought you’d call me.” Any minute now she expected Trevor to come looking for her, because it shouldn’t take long to answer a door.

“Not this time.” His voice sent a nervous shiver down her spine. “Can we go inside and talk? Or we can go for breakfast first if you’re hungry, then come back here. I can hang around and watch television while you get ready.” He put his hand over hers on the doorknob. A jolt of warmth jumped from his skin into her hand and throughout her body.

He gave the door a push and it opened. “Did your parents stop by last night? I assumed they would, especially after you snuck out on everyone. I can’t believe you did that.” Derek didn’t wait before he walked inside, like he would on any other day.

“Everything okay?” Trevor called, his voice reaching her from the kitchen.

Derek stopped, causing her to bump into his back. “Fine,” she answered.
I wish.
Now she had two men in her apartment, neither of whom she wanted to deal with this morning. She should’ve stayed under the covers.

Reaching behind himself, Derek grabbed her hand and tugged until she stood next to him. “Early morning visitor?” he whispered in her ear, his breath warming her much like his touch had earlier. Without releasing her hand, Derek walked into the kitchen, leaving her no other choice but to come along.

Trevor remained seated when they walked in. “I just got a text from Katelyn.”

“Hello, Trevor,” Derek said.

Trevor whipped around, his smartphone in one hand and his latte in the other.

“Sorry for the interruption, but Brooklyn and I have some things to discuss,” Derek continued.

“And you couldn’t do it over the phone?”

“No.”

Both men wore similar scowls, and she half expected them to charge each other like a pair of wild bucks.

Shaking her hand free, she stepped between them. “I didn’t know he was coming over this morning, Trevor. But we do have a few details to work out from last night. It shouldn’t take us long if you want to stay and wait. Right, Derek?”

Derek came to stand next to her, his hand brushing against her skin as he crossed his arms. “Wrong. We’ve got a lot to talk about, and we don’t need company.”

She’d noticed years ago how Derek could be polite to even the biggest jerk on the planet. She’d never once seen him talk to anyone the way he spoke to Trevor now.
What’s his problem?
The next time they were alone, she’d let him know what she thought of his little performance this morning.

“You don’t have to leave, Trevor.” She tilted her head in Derek’s direction. “Our conversation won’t take long. Five, ten minutes tops.”