Page 28 of Her Big Fat Dreamy Billionaire Ex

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Right.”

He hung up with Grams and noticed the time. Eleven? How did it get to be so late? He was supposed to be back at Felicity’s villa an hour ago. He called her cell phone, but it just rang until voicemail came up. Frustrated, he left a quick message about not being able to go with her and hung up.

Felicity would understand, wouldn’t she? His dog meant the world to him. And Felicity wasn’t a completely unreasonable person. Except for the day she left him. That had been unreasonable.

He let out a frustrated breath. Felicity was going to hate him. But he couldn’t stop looking now. He had to find Mabel.

He saw a flash of white and ran to a large bush. He crouched down. “Mabel?”

A white grocery bag was tangled up in the branches. He yanked it out and wadded it up, a bitter taste in his mouth. This was going to take forever.

Memories from when Grams had first gotten Mabel surfaced and he rubbed his temples. The little dog had taken to him right away. He’d never had an animal snuggle with him like Mabel had. He’d be sitting on the couch and she’d climb up on his shoulder. She was smaller then, just a little puppy, and she’d fit perfectly there. She would fall asleep and make cute little dog snoring noises.

She was such a small dog. The wind last night had been horrible. How could she have survived? He shook his head and resolved not to think about what might have happened. All he needed to do right now was focus on finding her. That’s all he could do.

With his heart in his throat, he continued to call for his dog.

Chapter 10

Felicity stretchedout on the beach towel she’d spread out over the sand. It was a cloudy day, but every once in a while, the clouds parted and the sun peeked through. The sound of the ocean waves relaxed her and she slipped off her swimsuit cover and closed her eyes. At least she’d get a little use out of her swimsuit. It was brand new, purchased at the end of the season last year for eighty percent off. It was the nicest one-piece she’d ever had, blue with white stripes. It looked good on her, if she did say so herself.

Aiden’s face popped into her mind and she tried to shove it away. He was over an hour late now. So typical. How could he always make her feel so low? So unwanted?

A shadow crossed her face and her eyes flicked open. She sucked in a breath to chew Aiden out for being so late, but then she realized it wasn’t Aiden. A man she didn’t recognize stood beside her wearing long shorts and flip flops, a lounge chair tucked under one arm.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you.” The man took an awkward step back. “If you want privacy, I’ll go to the other side of the beach. I just thought I might as well introduce myself to my neighbor, if that’s okay.”

Felicity stared up at the man. He looked harmless. He reminded her of those guys at the Geek Squad, all gangly arms and legs. Thick glasses adorned his face. She motioned. “It’s fine. Have a seat.”

He set his chair down and sat. “Thanks. I’m Harold.”

“Felicity.”

“Where are you from?”

“Texas. And you?”

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