Bidding On The Billionaire (The Sherbrookes of Newport Book 8) (25 page)

Cupping her face in his hand, he rubbed his thumb across her cheek. “It’s okay. I understand. Go sit and I’ll get you some iced tea. Then we can talk if you want.”

Oh, she’d so made the right decision. Hot tears slipped down her cheeks and she saw the concern flare in Derek’s eyes. “I don’t need anything.”

He swallowed and allowed her to lead him into the living room. “Something is wrong. What happened today?” he asked. “Did your father have a setback?”

“He wasn’t awake when I saw him, but I guess he’s okay.” Her dad might not want anything else to do with her, but her mom would call if something terrible happened. At least she wanted to believe she would.

“You went to the beach to think about something.”

Derek knew her so well. “He forced me to make a decision. Him or you. Afterward I found myself at the beach.”

His fingers tightened around her hand, causing the ring on her middle finger to dig into her skin.

“That….” Derek stopped and looked down at their hands. “No one should be asked to do that.”

She wiggled her hand free and flexed her fingers. “You’re right. And I made the right decision. The only one I could, but it still hurts.”

Either the light was playing tricks or she was imagining things, because it looked like some color left Derek’s face. Considering the day she’d had, she was leaning toward imagining things.

“And?”

“I don’t think I’ll ever forgive him. He’s my father and I love him, but I won’t let him control my life.”

Actual relief spread across Derek’s face, and this time she knew it wasn’t some trick of the light. “Did you think I picked him over you?”

“It wasn’t like he was asking you to give up your car. Family is important.”

“Yep, but when it acts the way he did, it’s not healthy. And I made the only decision I could.” She moved forward and kissed him. “I love you. And I couldn’t imagine spending the rest of my life without you.”

Derek removed a box from his pants pocket and pressed it into her hand. “I hoped you’d say that, so I went shopping today.”

Almost afraid she’d wake from whatever dream she’d fallen into, Brooklyn took her time opening the lid. Nestled inside was the perfect engagement ring, an exquisite round diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds, accented by a geometric bezel frame.

“You told me you wanted me to pick it out and surprise you. I hope you like it.”

“It’s perfect.” She slipped it on, not surprised to find it fit.

“Don’t suppose I can change your mind about having my dad marry us this week?”

Brooklyn laughed despite the pain still in her heart. “Sorry. My answer is still no. But we can do it soon. Promise.”

***

He inhaled deeply, the scent of citrus filling his senses, and ran his fingers through Brooklyn’s hair. Since she’d come home, he’d left her only once to go up to Trent’s and get clean clothes for the next day. Considering the past few days she’d had, he couldn’t leave her alone. The day hadn’t been a cakewalk for him either. When they’d sat down to talk, he hadn’t known what to expect. And if she’d told him to get lost, he didn’t know what he would have done. Thankfully, he never had to find out.

“Did you know my dad went to school with your father and Uncle Warren?” she asked, breaking the silence in the room. “He told me after you left. I didn’t know it until then.”

“And he hates me because of it?”

Brooklyn moved so she faced him on the couch, making it impossible for him to keep an arm around her. “More like because of things that happened in high school.”

He listened as she shared Novak’s reasons, both disgusted and amazed. Most adults could put such events in the past and move on. It was a shame Donovan Novak couldn’t, not even for his daughter.

“I know it’s not the same, but my dad’s going to treat you like another daughter.” Derek had seen how his dad treated his sister-in-law, as well as Gray’s fiancée. “And once we tell them, my family will consider you a Sherbrooke even before the wedding.”

She gave him a sad smile, causing him to wish he could pay Novak a visit and beat him over the head until he saw reason.

“It’s not, but I’m looking forward to it. And my whole family hasn’t abandoned me. Aunt Felicia and Cheyenne are going to want to help with the wedding. Milan sent me a few messages. She and Paris think Dad is being an ass.”

He’d never thought he’d agree with her sisters. Today he did.

“And my grandmother never liked my dad anyway. She told me a bunch of times how she didn’t want Mom to marry him.”

Derek didn’t know Matilda Knight, but evidently she was a good judge of character.

Brooklyn leaned back against him, once again resting her head on his shoulder. “Let’s talk about something else. Where do you want to get married?”

“Up to you.” He didn’t care where. “But make it soon.”

Three Weeks Later

They exited the library and walked straight into Derek’s sister and Aunt Marilyn, two of the many family members filling Mark Sherbrooke’s house for their engagement party.

“About time Derek asked you to marry him,” Allison said in lieu of a proper greeting. “And I’m so glad you took pity on him and said yes.” Allison hugged her.

Her happiness grew, and she feared her cheeks would explode from all the smiling she’d done since their arrival.

When Allison let her go, she reached for Brooklyn’s left hand. “He might be slow, but he at least has good taste. Have you set a date?”

“Labor Day weekend,” Derek grumbled, earning him a glare from both his sister and aunt.

“Impossible. You can’t plan a proper wedding by then. It takes at least a year,” Marilyn said with authority. “It took me even longer. Your uncle and I were engaged for a year and a half.”

“Derek wanted the wedding sooner. It took considerable effort to get him to wait until September, Mrs. Belmont.”

Marilyn frowned at them both. “Hmph. Well, if you need any help, let me know. And we’re family now. No Mrs. Belmont. Please call me Aunt Marilyn or just Marilyn, whichever one you’re most comfortable with.”

She received a similar statement from Derek’s dad and stepmom, although she knew it would take some time before she was comfortable addressing them in a less formal manner. “Thank you. If we need anything, I’ll call.” Brooklyn appreciated the offer but doubted she’d make use of it. If she let Marilyn get involved with the planning, before she knew it the wedding would be a huge elaborate affair. Something neither she nor Derek wanted.

“Oh, good. Scott’s here,” Marilyn said, her attention at least momentarily off their wedding and on the other guests. “Does anyone know how his dates with Paige Foster are going? Who knows, maybe things will work out between them like they did for you two.”

Brooklyn didn’t know anything about Paige Foster, the woman who’d put in the highest bid on Scott at the auction. She’d seen a picture of them together before her father’s heart attack, but nothing since.

“He hasn’t talked about the dates with me,” Derek said. “But I wouldn’t get my hopes up, Aunt Marilyn. We knew each other a long time before the auction.”

“Perhaps, but if it wasn’t for me, you never would’ve gotten together.” She glared in his direction. “And don’t tell me you didn’t set that whole thing up. I didn’t say anything, but as soon as Brooklyn started bidding I knew you’d put her up to it.” She paused as if daring someone to correct her. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to find Harrison,” she said, referring to her husband.

“I told you she’d never buy it,” Brooklyn couldn’t keep from saying once Derek’s aunt left.

“None of us did,” Allison added.

“Only the women in the audience had to, and they did,” Derek said.

“And you royally ticked off Tasha. Courtney shared what she overheard Tasha saying in the ladies’ room. Wow. I wonder who she’ll set her eyes on next. She’s determined to become part of the family.”

Brooklyn didn’t blame the other woman. The Sherbrookes were a wonderful, loving family, the opposite of her own in so many ways.
Don’t go there
. Dwelling on her family problems wouldn’t change them.

“I think your sister is here,” Allison said, pulling Brooklyn away from her unpleasant thoughts.

Across the main foyer, Milan accepted a champagne flute from a waiter walking by. Although Brooklyn hadn’t spoken to her mom or dad in weeks, she’d remained in contact with her sisters. They’d both been happy for her and agreed to serve as bridesmaids in the wedding along with Derek’s sister. Milan had also kept her up to date on their father’s condition.

“I’m going to say hello.” She kissed Derek on the cheek. “I’ll be back.”

Milan met her halfway across the foyer.

“I’m glad you’re finally here. Cheyenne is around somewhere too.” She’d spoken with her cousin earlier but hadn’t seen her in a while, not surprising considering the number of family members present and the size of the house.

Milan hugged her and kissed each of her cheeks, the same greeting their mom used. The familiar gesture momentarily dulled the happiness high she’d been floating around in.

“My baby sister’s engagement party; wouldn’t have missed it.”

The un-Milan-like statement left her speechless.

“I guess Derek’s family never does anything small?”

“Actually, this is small. Except for you, Cheyenne, Aunt Felicia, and the President’s Secret Service detail, only his family is here.”

“Secret Service detail, okay, yeah, let me digest that one for a moment.”

Seeing the President’s motorcade arrive had left Brooklyn’s mouth hanging open too.

Derek watched Brooklyn and her sister together. He’d never been a big fan of Milan, but as of late his opinion had changed. Since Brooklyn’s falling-out with her parents, Milan had been nothing but supportive. She’d appeared genuinely happy when she’d learned of their engagement. She’d called several times to see how Brooklyn was doing and kept her updated on their dad’s progress, since their mom didn’t. Even Paris had disagreed with their parents’ decision. While she didn’t call as often, she’d offered her expertise on wedding planning, her words, not Brooklyn’s, an offer Brooklyn had graciously declined.

A hand dropped on his shoulder and Derek turned his head. “Congrats,” his cousin said. “Suspected you and Brooklyn would get together someday.”

Scott wasn’t the first person to say something along those lines. It made him wonder why it had taken him ten years to figure out.

“Where have you been hiding?” He hadn’t seen Scott since the auction weeks earlier, which was unusual. Although Scott spent much of his time in New York City where he worked, he owned a place in Newport where he spent many of his summer weekends. Frequently, when he was in the area, he’d call and they’d get together. Not once so far this summer had his cousin called or messaged him.

“New York and London. Other than the weekend I took Paige on our first date and today, I haven’t been back since the fundraiser.”

“You’re slow. Colton already fulfilled all four of his dates. He couldn’t get rid of Tyanna fast enough.” He’d expected his friend to throw a party after he took Tyanna out for the final time.

Scott gave a slight shrug. “Our schedules have conflicted. No big deal. I’m not in a big rush. Paige isn’t either.”

The change in his cousin’s voice when he said Paige’s name was slight, but Derek caught it. “Who is she? Before the fundraiser I’d never heard of Paige Foster.”

“Her grandfather is Michael Foster. As in Foster Oil.”

He’d heard of the Texas millionaire. “I thought he only had daughters.”

“It’s complicated, but Foster’s son Jeremy and his daughter-in-law live in Scituate.”

“Brooklyn and I are taking the
Affinity
to either Block Island or Martha’s Vineyard tomorrow. If you’re around, join us.”

“Appreciate the offer, but I have plans with Paige.”

“Getting your second date taken care of?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

Derek caught Scott’s smile before it disappeared. Maybe his Aunt Marilyn’s wish was becoming a reality.

The End

Thank you for purchasing this book. I hope you enjoyed it. Read Scott’s story in
Falling For The Billionaire
book 9 of The Sherbrookes of Newport Series available this winter.

The Sherbrookes of Newport Series

Loving The Billionaire, a novella

The Teacher’s Billionaire, book 1

The Billionaire Playboy, book 2

The Billionaire Princess, book 3

The Billionaire’s Best Friend, book 4

Redeeming The Billionaire, book 5

More Than A Billionaire, book 6

Protecting The Billionaire, book 7

Bidding On The Billionaire, book 8

Falling For The Billionaire, book 9 Coming this Winter

Love On The North Shore Series

The Courage To Love, book1

Hometown Love, book 2

The Playboy Next Door, book 3

I started writing at the age of 10 on my grandmother's manual typewriter and never stopped. Born and raised in Lincoln, Rhode Island, I have lived in four of the six New England states since getting married in 2001. Today, I live in New Hampshire with my husband, three daughters and our dogs. When I am not driving my daughters around to their various activities or chasing around our three dogs, I am working on a story or reading a romance novel. Currently, I have two series out, The Sherbrookes of Newport and Love on The North Shore. You can visit my website
www.christinatetreault.com
or follow me on Facebook to learn more about my characters and to track my progress on my current writing projects.