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

the first time in my life because I had time to dedicate to others for a change, and my marriage got better as a result too.”

“That’s how I feel when I’m here as well. But I want that in other ways, Janet. I want that in my career, in my love life… but with Hayes… well, I’m baffled by how comfortable I’m becoming with him. My head wants to deny it, but my heart is trying to throw her two-sense in too.”

“Then open your heart up to where you are right now. Let yourself feel everything, and the universe will steer you in the right direction.”

* * *

“I’m so happy I could cry.”

Looking up at the larger-than-life replica of the moon hanging on the wall behind the primary stage and dance floor of Midnight Cowboy, I stand there in awe of how perfect this light fixture turned out. I had to contact a custom lighting designer to get what I envisioned, but after a few weeks of back and forth, the end result is utterly flawless.

“I think it’s perfect.” Ian, the club owner, comes up beside me to admire the masterpiece as well.

“Thank you again for giving me this opportunity, Ian.”

“Nonsense. Although Hayes was very adamant that if I didn’t agree to it, he might pull out of our contract.” He chuckles playfully, but I don’t laugh in return.

“He did what?” I twist to face him, flabbergasted that Hayes would threaten such a thing.

“I mean, part of me felt he was joking, but another part of me knew he was serious too. Your husband clearly believes in you.”

My hand splays across my heart the instant I register Ian’s words.

Your husband clearly believes in you.

His answer wasn’t demeaning or laced with intent to make me believe that the only reason Hayes hired me is because we’re married.

No, Ian made it seem like Hayes’s decision to hire me was one much deeper than that.

“You know, when I first met Hayes, he didn’t strike me as the marrying type. The man takes his business very seriously and always seemed too focused to let something like a woman distract him. But seeing him with you,” he says, flicking his eyes over to me once again, “well, it’s clear to me that you took him by surprise and you were the woman he was waiting for.”

“Our relationship was a surprise,” I reply, focusing back on the moon on the wall while the thump of my heart shakes my entire body.

“Some of the best things in life are.” He clasps my forearm gently and then gets called over to the bar by one of the workers.

But I’m left standing there, rooted in place as the weight of Ian’s remarks holds me still.

Could our relationship have had that much of an effect on him in this short amount of time? It’s the beginning of March now, which means we’re almost at the halfway point of our deal. We’ve had our fair share of tiffs and sexual tension building each time we get too close to one another, but I also feel like we’ve made peace with our predicament and are settling into a routine now too.

Plus, Hayes giving me this job opportunity is only going to help propel me further in my career, and him trusting me with this design built a foundation of mutual respect between us as well. And as much as I hate to admit it, I’m very grateful and also shocked by that at this moment. Perhaps Janet was right. The time we’re investing in one another is rubbing off on us both.

I brush off the onslaught of emotion that Ian’s remark brought on and walk around the room to survey what else has been done. The paint on the walls was just layered yesterday, the ceiling with tiny lightbulbs that will mimic the stars has been installed, and the mirrors behind the bar are being put in place as I stand here.

The design is coming together flawlessly, but there is still a long way to go. Ian and Hayes are anticipating an opening at the end of May, just in time for Memorial Day, when large crowds will gather in Vegas for the holiday and the weather will be warm enough to attract the night crowds. Although when it comes to construction, timelines are always pushed back.

As I listen to drills and hammers sound off in the room, my phone buzzes in my pocket, and I don’t miss the way my smile builds as soon as I see the name on the screen.

“Hello?”

“I’m out of creamer.”

“Well, hello to you, my doting husband.”

I hear Hayes sigh on the other end of the phone. “Sorry. Hi. How’s it going? By the way, I’m out of creamer. I thought you bought more.”

“No. You had an entire bottle in the fridge when I did the grocery order over the weekend.”

“It wasn’t a full bottle, and now I’m out and it’s only Wednesday.”

“Aw, poor little rich boy,” I tease. “Well, looks like you’ll just have to stop at a store on your way home and get some for yourself, won’t you?”

“You’re making me crazy, woman.”

“Yup, and you love it,” I reply, catching myself just after the words leave my mouth.

I hear Hayes clear his throat on the other end of the line as my pulse throbs harshly in my neck. “So, how’s it going?”

Grateful that he didn’t read too much into my comment, I oblige his question willingly. “Good. The moon looks so magnificent.”

“Yeah? Is it installed?”

“Just hung up an hour ago. And they’re putting up the mirrors behind the bar right now.”

“You’d better send me pictures,” he commands.

“Well, then you’d better be nice and not call to harass me about your coffee creamer.”

“Hey, you’d feel the same way if your French vanilla was all out.”

I laugh, but then can’t help but agree with him. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry.”

“You’re coming home tomorrow, right?” He asks as I hear someone speak to him