Page 39 of Grumpy Billionaire Seeking Wife

The elevator doors beep, and I roll my shoulders as I walk out. I need to get my head straight. I decide to walk outside the building and wait for her. Sometimes I just like to observe people. The world is such a big place, and I feel like a mere peon on Earth. I notice her immediately. She's wearing earbuds, her hair is loose and flowing, the jeans she's wearing hug her curvy figure, and the top she's wearing exposes some belly and the top of her breasts. She looks gorgeous. And completely unaware of it. No casual observer would be able to tell that she was not only sexy but funny, as well. And brilliantly smart and caring. And just a decent human being.

"Hey." I hold my hand up and wave to her as she looks in my direction. A smile starts to spread across her face, but quickly changes to a scowl.

"Hello, Wes." She stops in front of me and pulls her earbuds out. "Did you bring the stuff down?"

"No." I want to hug her, but I can tell that's not about to happen. "Aren't we going to enjoy some pizza together?"

"I guess so." She nods, her eyes lighting up as we head into the building. "I am hungry. I need energy before I take all this stuff back on the train."

"Can't you take a taxi?" I frown. I don't like the thought of her taking the train by herself late at night.

"I do not have money for a taxi." She bursts out laughing. "And before you offer, nope, I do not want you to pay for one."

"You're too stubborn." I grimace as we enter the elevator. I press the button and stare at her pink top. It's far too sexy for a piece of day wear, but I know to keep my comment to myself. "You look nice." My eyes drift down to her exposed belly button and back to her eyes. She has a self-satisfied look on her face. "What do you want on your pizza?"

"Pepperoni, ham, red onions." She pauses. "And some cheese sticks, please."

"Of course." I laugh and freeze as she moves closer to me. "Anything else?"

"Nope," she murmurs as she shifts her backpack. "Maybe a glass of wine. It is Saturday night."

"Yes, it is," I say as we exit the elevator. "So, Sabrina, I just wanted to say that?—"

"If this is about last year"—she holds her hand up—"let's just forget it. I don't want to keep hashing out the time I tried to seduce you and failed."

"I just want to say that it wasn't because I didn't find you attractive. It was because you’re Erica's best friend and deserveyour first time to be with someone who will love you and treat you like a queen. Someone who sees you as a potential wife."

"Umm, okay." She looks annoyed. "Good to know."

"I mean, someone who is ready for the next step in life. You know, someone looking to take you on sudden trips to Paris and wants to make you a wifey." I'm not sure where the words come from, and I frown.

"A wifey? Okay, whatever, Wes."

"I mean, I just?—"

"I'm not talking about this with you anymore." She walks into my apartment and heads directly to the living room. I watch as she places her backpack next to the couch and then heads over to the window. "It's so cool being up here. Your view is amazing."

"It really is." Though my eyes are on her ass, and I'm wishing I were her jeans right now. I grab my phone and place the order for the pizza. "So, how did the paper go?" I casually walk over to the window and stand next to her. "Are you excited to be graduating soon?"

"Yes!" She nods eagerly. "I'm ready to be done with school. Ready for the real world." She steps back and looks around the living room. "Your couch is so spacious. In fact, this living room is bigger than my mom's apartment."

"How is your mom, by the way? I haven't seen her in a few years." I motion for her to take a seat. "Do you want a drink?"

"Water for now. Thanks." She nods and takes a seat. "Where are the bags, by the way? I want to put them by the door so I don't forget them when I leave."

"I won't let you forget." I laugh as I head into the kitchen and grab two bottles of water. "You can change the channel if you want. I was just watchingFBItoday as a way to destress before my big week." I take a seat next to her and hand her the water. She flicks the channels on the TV and lands on an episode ofEverybody Loves Raymond.

"I love this show." She looks over at me. "My mom and I used to watch it every night, and we would laugh so hard.” Her eyes crinkle in remembrance. As to your question, my mom is okay. She’s still working as a can. It's an honest job, but it's hard work, and it doesn't pay much. I'm hoping at some point, I can earn enough to take care of her."

"You know, there's always a position for her at Carrington Enterprises." I frown. "Tell her to call me. I can get her into HR and?—"

"No, she would never take a job with your family. She knows how much I value my friendship with Erica, and we never want any one of you Carringtons to think that our friendship is based on the incredible wealth you have." She opens the bottle of water and takes a couple of gulps. "But thank you."

"You're welcome." I withhold a sigh. I'm annoyed. I can so easily make her mom richer and happier without it affecting my family in any way, but I know they are proud. Neither of my parents nor my grandparents would ever think Sabrina was using us. In fact, my parents had wanted to cover her college tuition and pay for her room and board, but Sabrina's mom had turned them down. Which aggravated me to no end. I knew, from Erica, that Sabrina had been working far too many hours while going to school. But I respected the heck out of her.

"Don't huff and puff, Wes. It's not polite or attractive." She giggles and swats me on the shoulder. I grab her hand and reach over to tickle her. She laughs uncontrollably and pushes me back. "Wes, stop it." She lifts her knee up and juts it into my stomach. I push her back onto the couch and hold her hands above her head.

"Be a good girl, Sabrina, and humor me."

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