Page 21 of The Billionaire and His Forever

“Bye, Dad.” I give him a quick hug, my emotions a tumult. The last few days have been such a whirlwind, and now I’m fighting with Amanda again. I can barely process it all.

“Bye, princess.” He gives us a two-fingered salute, picks up his bags, and heads outside, where I can see Ronaldo waiting next to the town car to drive Dad to the airport.

As soon as the door closes, I feel a wave of relief wash over me. Not that it wasn’t a good visit…but I still can’t shake the feeling that my dad was acting a bit out of character, and besides, it’s nice to be here with just Graham and Jude again. Like we’re our own little family. Amanda can cast doubt all she wants—but I know this is where I belong.

Graham turns to Jude. “How would you like…to have the entire day off?”

“Yes!” she shouts, giving a little fist pump.

“Good. Because I already canceled with all your instructors.”

“Can I watch cartoons?” Jude asks.

“Of course. In fact, I’ll join you. Let me just have a private word here with Abbie first.”

She gives a whoop of delight and takes off running toward the living room. I’m still smiling at her boisterous retreat when Graham lifts my hand to his lips for a soft kiss. It’s barely the strength of a butterfly’s wing, but it instantly has me weak in the knees.

“I believe in open lines of communication, so I want to be transparent—and let you know I paid your father for his services,” Graham says quietly. He gently kisses each of my fingertips. “Bowen came through at the end, but at that point it was a matter of too little, too late. Ford’s the one who really saved the day. He liaised with my lawyers, got the paperwork going, arranged the bail funds. Without him, I never would have gotten out so fast.”

“I’m glad,” I tell him.

Graham is a generous man. More than generous, from what I’ve seen. It eases my worries about my family’s finances completely, and I know my parents will be taken care of for a while.

Finally, everything’s coming together. My family has money, my dad is supporting me, I have Graham back, and for the first time in far too long, I feel like things are going to be okay.

If only I hadn’t lost my best friend in the process.

Chapter Nine

Graham

Today isthe day I reclaim my life.

And God knows it’s time.

I woke up with Abbie in my arms this morning, her breath soft and even on my chest, the first rays of the rising sun spilling through the window, painting her a warm gold, and suddenly I knew exactly what I needed to do. Every challenge I’ve faced, every setback I’ve endured, every dream I’ve worked to achieve up until now has led me toward this path. This woman. This day. Everything is crystal clear.

Today is the day I ask Abbie to marry me.

There are preparations to be made and conversations to be had, but I’ve already set things in motion. There’s not a doubt in my mind that this is what I want. My life has been radically changed by this woman—all for the better—and there is nowhere else I belong but at her side.

Before I can even think about pulling together a grand gesture, however, I need to get Abbie out of the house. I decide to enlist Cassie’s help, as I’ve noticed they seem to be friends. I go into my office and make the call. Without me revealing too much about my reasons for needing Abbie to be gone, Cassie happily offers to take her out for a girls’ day.

Yet Abbie doesn’t seem excited when I track her down to tell her she’s got the day off, and it takes some convincing to get her to agree.

“But you just got home,” she protests, brows furrowing. “I don’t want a day off.”

“Shh, love. You’ve been through so much.” I kiss her fingertips. “Take the day to relax, please. Besides, I want to give Jude my full attention today. She deserves some one-on-one time with me after my…unplanned absence.”

Which is completely true, if I’m honest.

It seems to do the trick, because Abbie lets out a sigh. “You’re right. She could use some daddy time. Maybe you two can go for a trail ride with Cassie.”

“Actually—”

But before I can finish my sentence, as if on cue, the doorbell rings, echoing down the hall. Abbie’s eyes narrow at me suspiciously.

“I believe that’s for you,” I tell her with a smile.

---