My Unexpected Vow: California Billionaires Book 2 by Harlow James (top 10 inspirational books txt) 📕

If I get the courage to press for more, and he doesn’t feel that way, or worse, thinks it’s a bad idea, the devastation it will wreak on my self-esteem is a bitter pill I don’t want to swallow.

“Hey, Chloe… it’s nothing to be upset about,” I offer as I reach for her hand. “Maybe he just respected you enough not to turn you into a one-night-stand.”

“That’s what I told her,” Shayla adds. “But now with the wedding approaching and the fact that they’re going to have to see each other again… well, I think …”

“I’m fine,” Chloe fires back, pulling her hand away from mine and then brushing herself off as she stares back into the mirror. “He’s just a guy. There are plenty out there, and who knows? Maybe I’ll find a handsome stranger who’s on vacation in Aruba and have a vacation fling. That’s always been a fantasy of mine.” She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

Shayla and I share a look, and then she proceeds to put the focus back on me. “Changing the subject now. So, how’s the club design coming?”

Hell, at least this is a topic I’m pleased to discuss. “So well. I have to go back next week, but I couldn’t be happier with how it’s been coming together.”

“I’m so glad. Say, do you have plans this weekend? Wes and I will be down here in Santa Monica, so I thought we could all have dinner Saturday night or something.”

“Oh. Well, Hayes and I have plans on Saturday.”

Her forehead rises as her eyebrows follow. “Oh, really?”

“Yeah.” I step down and start heading for my dressing room, but Chloe and Shayla follow.

“And what are you doing?”

I reach behind me to locate the zipper on this dress, but Chloe bats my hand away and proceeds to help me, pulling the metal down slowly and then unlatching the hook at the top. “He signed us up for cooking classes.”

They both let out a shocked laugh at the same time. “Cooking classes?” Chloe questions.

Irritated once more, I spin around as I hold my dress over my boobs. “Yes. We both can’t cook and so he surprised me with this.”

Chloe shakes her head. “There’s no way you’re going to win this bet, Shayla. They’re going to be eating food off of each other in no time.”

“Nah, I think Waverly is still on the fence. My money is still on the end of the month.”

“Jeez. You two are just some of the best friends a girl could ask for,” I mock and then push them out of my room so I can change in peace.

Chloe laughs and then knocks on the door. “Damn right we are, Waverly. And we’ll still be here when you admit that you’ve wanted Hayes’s dick all along.”

Chapter 12

Hayes

“Good evening, everyone.” A petite blonde woman stands at the front of the room, commanding everyone’s attention. “Welcome to the first of the three couples’ cooking classes you signed up for. My name is Margo,” she says, placing her hand over her heart, “and I will be your instructor throughout the course.”

Waverly fidgets next to me as we stand behind our counter. The warehouse is large and open, with ten separate cooking stations positioned throughout with the main one located at the front of the room. Bright fluorescent lights hang above us through steel beams and HVAC ducting, but the walls are brick that has been painted over in a slate grey. The smells of garlic and herbs filter through the air, along with the hum of conversation happening between each of the couples as Margo commands us to put on our aprons.

My eyes drift over to Waverly standing next to me in her navy dress the clings to her chest, but then flares out at her hips, dipping just low enough in the front to give me the perfect view of her cleavage. The woman has the perfect tits—full and perky, but not too large for her frame. The dress is sleeveless, so it shows off her toned arms and her collarbone that has me itching to run my tongue along it. And although the skin she’s showing is forcing me to adjust my dick in my slacks already, the dress is classy and feminine, which makes me even more nervous about tonight. I’ve become privy to seeing her at home in her leggings and baggy shirts, but she never ceases to amaze me with how beautiful she looks all dressed up as well.

“I can feel you staring,” she says, pulling me out of my perusal as she slips her bright red apron over her head, lifting her hair out from the strap around her neck and then reaching behind her to tie the strands at her waist.

“I don’t think I told you how beautiful you look tonight.” My throat gets tight as I await her response, but the slight pink that works its way up her neck and to her cheeks indicates she didn’t hate my compliment.

“Thank you.” She flicks her eyes up at me quickly and then moves them back to the counter in front of us just as fast.

“Alright, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight you will be preparing a meal that is easy to modify and turn into something new. In front of you is a step-by-step card of the recipe, which I will be following at my station. You will observe me cooking the meal first, and then I will dismiss you back to your stations to complete the task with your partner.”

I take a deep breath while rubbing my palms together. “Are you ready for this, Beaverly?”

“Please don’t call me Beaverly tonight. I’m already jittery, I don’t need rage to roll through me as well.”

“Aw, are you nervous?” I gently reach out to caress her arm as I tease her, forcing her to peer up at me.

“Yes, I’m nervous. What if we’re the couple that sets this