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

then said, “And I think we can both agree that you’re exactly what’s wrong with people these days. I wanted to work for this firm because I connected with your story—a woman who created her own business from the ground up because it was her dream. But you just showed me you’re nothing like the headstrong woman I thought you were, and that’s the last type of person I’d ever want to work for. I’ll see myself out.” I marched out of her office and never looked back, waiting until I got in my car before I crumbled, letting tears fall that I was holding back inside.

And now I’m drowning my anger in whiskey.

“Bad day?”

I spin on my heels to catch Hayes glaring at me, reaching up to yank on his tie.

“You don’t know the half of it.” I tip the bottle back as I swallow another swig.

“I take it the interview didn’t go well then?” He moves around me and pulls two glasses from a cabinet, leaving it wide open of course.

I reach up to close the cupboard and then watch as he pours us two glasses, handing me one once he’s done.

“Nope. Not at all what I was expecting.”

“Wanna talk about it?”

I take a large gulp of the amber liquid and then shake my head. “Not really. I mostly just want to change my clothes, order greasy food, and forget this day ever happened.”

Hayes tips his head back and forth. “I think that can be arranged. I’ll order the pizza and you keep drinking. Meet me back down here in ten minutes.”

I eye him suspiciously. “Alright.”

Heading upstairs, I keep replaying the interview as I strip off my suit and throw on a pair of black lounge pants, a sports bra, and an over-sized grey sweater that hangs off of my shoulders. I throw my hair up in a messy bun, grab my glass of whiskey from my dresser, and then head back downstairs, where I find Hayes in a plain grey t-shirt, dark blue sweats, and the remote in one hand with his whiskey in the other, pointing the remote at the television.

“What are you doing?” I make my way over to the couch and plop down on the cushion beside him, leaving enough space between us that I’m not crossing a boundary, but I can still smell his cologne.

“Looking for a comedy special to watch.”

“A what?”

He turns to me and smiles. “Whenever I have a shitty day, I like to find a comedy special on Netflix to watch. It helps me forget about everything for a while, and laughter helps ease the tension.” He shrugs. “It’s been a while since I’ve done it, but I feel like today we could both use this type of therapy.”

Tilting my head to the side, I take a moment to study him—the sincerity in his eyes, the purse of his lips as he waits for my response, the way his Adam’s apple bobs up and down as he swallows.

“Can we continue drinking and stuff our faces with pizza while we do this?”

“Absolutely.” His grin stretches wide before he turns back to the television and keeps searching for our entertainment.

“Oh, this guy is good. Have you ever heard of Jo Koy?”

“No.” I shift my body on the couch, trying to get more comfortable.

“I’ve seen a few of his older routines, but this is his new one set in Hawaii.”

“Sounds interesting.”

“I promise. This will have you laughing so hard that whiskey will come out of your nostrils.”

“Uh, I’m not sure I want that to happen, but if you think this will help, then I’m game.”

“Don’t doubt me, Wave. I guarantee this will make you feel better.”

Hayes reaches for my glass and takes his own over to the bar to refill them just as the doorbell rings.

I leap from the couch and grab my purse as I run to the door. “I’m paying this time!”

“Waverly …”

Spinning around, I pin him with a daring glare. “No, Hayes. You always buy dinner. Let me do this, okay? I’ve already had my independence threatened today, I don’t need you to exacerbate it, alright?”

He huffs and then walks away from me. “Fine.”

I answer the door, pay the delivery man and gather our food, and then walk back into the kitchen where Hayes already has paper plates, napkins, and an enormous bottle of ranch dressing out on the island.

“It’s a shame you can’t cook because you sure know how to get everything ready to eat really well.”

He grins. “Yeah, well, after next week I just might be a double threat.”

“Oh, right. The cooking class is next weekend, huh?”

“Yup. You’d better not bail on me now, Wave. Pizza is good, but not for my waistline.”

I roll my eyes. “Your waistline is just fine, Hayes.”

With a lift of his shirt, he smacks his rock-hard abs just as I squeeze my thighs together at the sight. “I knew you’ve been keeping tabs on it.”

“Let’s just watch the show, shall we?”

We fill our plates, grab two tv trays from the pantry, and then get situated on the couch. Hayes pushes play and for the next hour or so, I’m completely immersed in the short Asian-American man that pokes more fun at himself and his mother than the rest of society.

“Oh, my God!” I exclaim, wiping tears from the corners of my eyes. “I can’t remember the last time I laughed this hard.”

Hayes laughs right alongside me. “Right? Told ya, he’s ridiculously funny.”

“You were right. That definitely made me feel better.”

“Laughter really is the best medicine.” Playfulness weaves through his words as he adjusts himself in his spot.

My buzz continues to hum as I drain the rest of my glass. That second glass of whiskey definitely helped me relax and forget about the unfortunate circumstances from earlier, and now I’m pleasantly numb and warm from the inside out.

“So are you ready to talk about it?”

I glance up from my seat on the couch, finding Hayes leaning his head back against the cushion with a