Page 106 of Born a Billionaire

THIRTY-FIVE

Three years later

The red carpet at the Academy Awards was teeming with celebrities dressed to the nines. Adelia gripped Oliver’s hand and held in a laugh when she looked over at him.

“That’s Tom Hanks,” he whispered as his eyes darted around. He kept looking over his shoulder as actor after actor arrived, some stopping to talk to the entertainment news reporters, others pausing for photos. And then he stopped in his tracks. “Oh my gosh. It’s Iron Man.”

“Play it cool, Ollywood.” She giggled. “Do you want to meet him?”

“Robert Downey Jr.? No, that’s … no.”

“I never thought you’d be so starstruck, Olly. You’ve been to events with me before.”

“Nothing this big.”

A sudden commotion captured their attention, and they turned to see Adelia’s parents step out of their limousine. The cameras clicked and flashed like crazy to capture Hollywood’s beloved couple. Hugh and Cora made their way, hand in hand, along the red carpet, until they met up with Adelia and Oliver.

“There’s my daughter and favorite son-in-law,” Cora said with open arms.

Oliver hugged her and kissed her on the cheek then shook Hugh’s hand.

“Hi, Mom.” Adelia hugged her, and then Mom stepped back and looked her up and down. “You look fabulous, darling. This dress looks perfect on you.”

Adelia glanced down at her flowing topaz blue maternity gown. “They practically had to sew me into it. I feel like I grow bigger every hour.”

“Pregnancy suits you.”

“Only two more weeks. Then this little guy will stop pushing on my bladder all the time.”

Dad gave her a hug then. “How’s my girl?”

“Excited. Nervous. Nauseous.”

He kissed her cheek. “Enjoy this night. No matter what happens, you earned that nomination. We’ll be rooting for you.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

When they got inside, Skylar and Franky were already seated in the row reserved for the nominees. They exchanged hugs and took their seats, anxious for the awards ceremony to begin.

“How are you feeling?” Skylar asked.

“Big as a house.”

“Well, you look amazing.”

“I feel like people are just telling me that to be nice.”

Skylar laughed. “It’s the truth.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Whatever you say.”

“Hey, did you guys see Thor over there?” Franky asked.

“No way,” Oliver said. “Where?”

The girls laughed at their husbands’ superhero worship.

“Would you rather sit with him?” Skylar asked.

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