Page 30 of Her Big Fat Dreamy Billionaire Ex

What was she supposed to say to that? “Uh, sure?”

He laughed and looked out, scanning the shoreline. He tapped his knee absentmindedly. “You busy tonight?”

Felicity stiffened. She should have known he was going to go there. What else was he doing, sitting next to a woman on the beach? But she wasn’t sure how to answer him. She glanced up at her villa. Aiden still hadn’t come. What was she going to do? Wait around all day for him? The thought that Aiden would expect her to made her angry. Suddenly she did want to go out with this guy.

Harold winced. “You’re not here by yourself, are you? Man, I just stepped in it big time, I can tell.”

“No,” she hurried to say, turning back to Harold. “I’m alone. And I’m not doing anything tonight.” There. She’d said it. She was an adult and could make plans with a man if she wanted to. Aiden was off doing who knows what. He stood her up. It would serve him right if he were to come over tonight and she had already made plans.

Harold’s face lit up. “Great. Want to have dinner with me?”

“Sure.”

His grin stretched wide. “All right.” He leaned back. “Fantastic.”

Felicity hid a smile. He was kind of a funny man. Maybe dinner with Harold wouldn’t be such a bad idea. It would take her mind off Aiden, who’d left her hanging once again. It’s what he did. What he would always do.

The sun peeked through the clouds and she shielded her eyes with her hand. “Have you lived in Arkansas your whole life?”

“Nah. I grew up in California. Most of the guys in my class were beach bums. I know it’s surprising that I wasn’t in with the surfer crowd, given my physique.” He motioned to his skinny chest and thin legs, and Felicity smiled.

“You were president of the chess club, weren’t you?”

Harold threw his head back and laughed. “Mathletes, actually.”

“Mathletes? That’s hilarious.”

He huffed on his knuckles and rubbed his imaginary shirt. “Yeah, we were the cool kids. Everyone wanted to come cheer us on during our competitions.”

“My ex was really into math.” The words were out before she could stop them.

He eyed her. “Yeah?”

“He actually owns this place.” What was wrong with her? Why was she talking about Aiden?

He squinted at her. “Wait, your ex-boyfriend owns this resort? And he hired you to come take pictures?”

She wanted to stuff a fistful of sand in her mouth to stop herself from talking anymore. But now that she’d started, she couldn’t just ignore his question. “His grandmother actually hired me. I think she’s trying to push us back together. But it won’t work. He’s a workaholic. The reason I left him was because his work was always more important than me. And here I am, sitting alone on the beach because he’s out working on the resort.”

She could see the wheels turning in Harold’s head. He brushed sand off his hands. “You know, if you and your ex are in the middle of something, I don’t want to get in the way.”

Now she’d done it. “No,” she quickly said. “We’re not in the middle of anything. Believe me. That’s long past. In fact, it would be good for me to go out with you. Get my mind off him.”

He seemed to study her, then a smile crept onto his face. “I think I could help you out there.”

She held back a laugh. Harold was funny and a bit charming, even if he was a total geek.

He reached down and picked up a seashell. “How long did you date this guy?”

“Five years.”

“That’s some history.”

Felicity didn’t want to tell him how involved their history had been. They’d almost married. And even now, her heart longed for what they used to have. But that was stupid, and she had to get her thoughts away from Aiden. Plus, Harold didn’t need to know any of that, so she changed the subject. “How long will you be here?”

“Just until Sunday.”

“Me too.” Why did the thought of leaving depress Felicity? She shook it off.

---