Page 16 of A Billionaire's Cabin Love

CHAPTER THREE

KARA

This bar was our little piece of heaven. My friends and I have frequented this place since we were eighteen. We weren’t old enough to drink, but we could play pool and darts. The rancid smell of cigarette smoke encased our hair and clothes by the end of the night. Still the best place in town to listen to music and talk trash. I peeked across the room. Dressed in a camel-colored sweater, jeans, and expensive rugged boots, Collin fit in. Well, in an upscale sort of way.

Why didn’t men fare well with rejection? The only reason he gave a shit about me was because I bruised his ego. He probably never experienced a woman tell him she wasn’t interested.

A wet, sloppy kiss landed upon my cheek. “How’s it going Chrissy, Michelle, Kara?” Eric straddled the chair, resting his arms on the top.

“Hey, I didn’t hear you sit down.”

He flashed a crooked grin. “I know. You were deep in your thoughts. You’ve been that way a lot lately.”

Chrissy stared at us, tapping her red fingernails on her milk chocolate face.

The three of us had been best friends since we were kids. Chrissy was a Veterinarian, and Michelle worked two jobs to help her parents make ends meet. She didn’t attend college. Nor did I. My father owned his own, so I never had to want for anything. Chrissy was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Her parents owned a few of the shops in town and the veterinarian hospital she worked at. We had something in common other than being black women. We were both adopted.

In my eyes, Eric was a friend. One day he kissed me on the lips. Said he’d had a crush on me forever. I felt awful. His dark hair, green eyes, and tall frame sent all the girls in high school, drooling over him. Michelle said I was crazy not to marry him. The physical attraction wasn’t there. I’d loved him like a friend. It wouldn’t be fair to string him along as my pretend boyfriend. Nope, I’d have to face Collin straight on. Tell him we could get to know each other, but nothing further. My future husband was still out there, waiting for me. A slight smile struck my lips.

“There’s that smile I love.” Eric wrapped his big strong arm over my shoulder.

“How was your day?”

I felt eyes on me. Shit. Hopefully, Collin wouldn’t walk over here.

“Today went well. I mean my client and I hit a few bumps in the road today.”

Michelle swiped a lock of blonde hair behind her ear. Chrissy cleared her throat.

“Guys, what?”

“You tell Eric or I will.” Chrissy’s perfect brow arched.

“Eric, isn’t my boyfriend. He’s my friend,” I growled.

“Whoa, what’s going on?” he squeezed my shoulder.

“The guy yelling at the TV sitting at the bar straight ahead is my client.”

“He likes her,” Michelle offered.

“He doesn’t like her. He wants to fuck her.” Chrissy sipped her drink.

“What do you think, Kara?” Sadness loomed in Eric’s eyes.

“Listen, I’m single. And I may like him a little.”

Shelly returned, placing our food and drinks on the table.

“Eric, I brought you a beer. I knew you’d ask,” she gleamed.

Yup, Shelly had it bad for Eric.

“Thanks, Shelly.” His smile didn’t quite meet his eyes.

I wondered if he was irritated by the presence of our new tourist or that I was attracted to him.

“Let me know if you guys need anything else.”

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