My Unexpected Vow: California Billionaires Book 2 by Harlow James (children's ebooks free online TXT) 📗

portfolio so I can earn a position at a respectable design firm, I can feel my future just on the horizon. And I want that.

NO. I need it.

I need to make something of myself on my own—not because of my name, or who my brother is—but because I worked diligently and earned it without anyone else’s help.

But because of who my brother is and our family name, a scandal like this will be floating through the gossip columns for months, particularly if Hayes and I opt for an annulment. A woman who gets drunkenly married in Vegas on New Year’s Eve doesn’t sound like the best new hire prospect, to say the least.

I’ve worked so hard to make this dream of mine a reality, but now in the blink of an eye, one drunken decision can threaten to derail it. Curse Janet and her foreboding comment the other day at the shelter. And as much as I’d like to blame her for this, I know that’s childish of me to do.

All I know at this point is that the two of us need to come to some sort of agreement as to how we move on from here. I honestly don’t know what’s going on in Hayes’s mind, but mine is bouncing back and forth about what to do.

We could annul the whole thing, but that will cause a shit storm, which is the last thing I need on the verge of starting my design career.

And then there’s Wes.

I’m not even worried about what my parents would say, as sad as that sounds. But when your mother basically lives her own life and your father hid an illegitimate child from you for years and thinks you’re better off marrying to secure your future, you start to value their opinion of how you’re living your life less and less.

But my brother’s reaction to the news? I don’t know who I should be more scared for—me or Hayes. My brother is rather protective of me, and I thank God every day for the close relationship that we have. Watching him battle alcoholism tore my heart in two. But admiring his strength while he got sober just reminded me of what an incredible man he is, and it’s his opinion of my actions that I value more than anything. I honestly don’t know what reaction to expect from him—shock, anger, amusement—or maybe a combination of both.

Whatever it is, it’s not going to be easy to explain how this happened, when the sequence of events doesn’t make much sense to me either, and Wes believes that Hayes and I hate each other.

Under normal circumstances, and really before last night, that’s exactly how I felt toward the man. Apparently, tequila can make you throw your headstrong opinions to the wayside though, and now I get to call him my husband.

Christ on a cracker.

Hayes pulls into the parking lot of the In-N-Out restaurant at the truck stop in Barstow, California. If you ever visit Cali, you have to indulge in one of the most iconic fast-food burgers of all time. Any native to the area will tell you it’s a must-have food experience, and their fresh-cut fries are the best. My stomach grumbles knowing sustenance awaits inside.

“I figured a nice greasy burger would help ward off the hangover,” Hayes explains after he shifts his Audi R8 into park.

“If you had suggested this a few hours ago, I probably couldn’t stomach it. But now, this sounds perfect.” I pat his shoulder. “Apparently you’re able to come up with good ideas every once in a while, not just idiotic ones that land us in a situation like the one we’re in.”

I know I shouldn’t continue to place the blame on him because we both played a part in our decision last night, but I’m going to ride that train as long as I can.

He sighs in defeat as we exit the car and make our way inside where a line wraps around the lobby. There’s always a line at this restaurant any time of day, but it moves quickly and the food is definitely worth the wait.

The smell of grilled onions and fries hits my nose, making my stomach rumble louder. Hayes stands next to me, gazing up at the menu, debating his choice while we wait to place our order. Once we make it to the cashier and order our food, Hayes fills our drinks as I search for a table. The only empty ones seem to be outside, but since it’s winter and we’re in California, the temperature is in the mid-70’s, so it’s completely bearable.

“Here.” Hayes slides my Coke across the table to me and I take down a few large gulps. The fizziness of the liquid and rich syrup soothes the nausea still rolling around in my gut.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. So, did you have a nice nap?” The corner of his mouth tips up, so I know he’s not trying to be a complete jackass.

“Yes. I feel much better. And now I’m ready to talk.”

Hayes takes a deep breath and then leans back slightly in his chair. “Good.”

“Hayes—”

“Waverly—”

We speak simultaneously, causing us both to chuckle.

“You go first,” I prompt him just as one of the employees comes by with our food. They deposit our tray on the table and then take our number tent back inside.

“Alright. Hear me out.” He takes a deep breath and then utters the words I was definitely not anticipating. “I think we should stay married.”

The fry I just picked up falls from my fingers. “What?”

I genuinely felt that Hayes would mention divorce or annulment before our food ever came. But staying married? To me? I can’t believe he actually wants that.

“I know it sounds crazy, but I have my reasons.”

“Care to explain them?” I’m shaking as I unwrap my burger, picking the melted cheese off the paper, and then depositing it in my mouth. Good God, that’s good.

“My parents think I’m not living my life,” he begins with an