Page 36 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 2
"Geez, parents can be so embarrassing sometimes," Rory said with a smile.
"You have no idea," I said.
Rory laughed.
"So, you started your own catering company?"
"Yeah. We only just opened a couple weeks ago, but your mom sought us out. I actually just have my friends helping me out tonight because I haven't had time to find staff." He pointed them out to us. "Connor, Jackson, and my wife, Keira."
Keira glanced over and smiled at Rory when she heard her name. She was arranging some delicious looking appetizers on a serving tray.
"Well, everything looks amazing," James said. "Hopefully tonight will go better than the first time I ate at her parents' house. Because that was pretty much a disaster."
Rory laughed. "If not, hopefully it won't be due to a mistake on my part. Actually, if you'll excuse me for one second. I promisethey'll all be professional by the time the rest of the guests get here." Rory rushed past us to go talk to his friends.
I glanced over my shoulder. It looked like Jackson and Justin were arguing heatedly over decorations. And Conner was sitting down across from Melissa at one of the tables talking to her. I laughed.
"So, you had a crush on him, huh?" James asked.
"That was a long time ago."
"Any traces of that remaining?"
"No," I said and placed my fingers behind his neck. "Not one lingering trace."
"Why did we invite all these people over to our house again?" he whispered in my ear.
"Wishing we were alone right now?"
"So badly. About not sharing a room tonight...I think we should discuss that."
"You're not excited to have a slumber party with all your friends tonight?"
He laughed. "Not in the least."
"Talk about an upgrade," someone said from behind us. I hadn't even realized that guests had started arriving. "She's stunning."
James let go of my waist. "Luke. Geez, how many years has it been?"
Luke embraced him in a huge bear hug. "Too many, man."
"So, you must be Penny," he said and put his hand out for me.
I recognized him from the one picture James had of him and his frat brothers. "It's so nice to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine," he said.
"You knew James in college, huh? I would love to hear some stories."
"Just you wait till Benny and Mike get here and the beers start flowing. There will be plenty of stories."
I couldn't help but notice that James looked a little uncomfortable. "I can't wait," I said.
"Definitely a keeper," he said to James as he pointed at me. "Are any of the guys here yet?"
"Mason is here somewhere." James looked around the room.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw one of my oldest friends walk in. "If you'll excuse me, it was great meeting you," I said to Luke and gravitated toward the door. "Mila!"
