Page 64 of The Billionaire's Teacher

I frowned. I knew that type. We got them in the dive classes now and then. Apparently, scuba was a manly sport and they wanted to show off how amazing they were. Then they realized they had to do some basic math and learn a little science to get certified and suddenly they were a lot less interested. “Sorry, man. Glad it’s almost over though.”

“Thanks.” Tristan took a big bite from his sub. He chewed for a moment, swallowed, and continued. “It took a lot of finagling to get him to agree to a settlement in mediation. He really wanted to go to court and make a big spectacle. I won’t be surprised if he decides to try to sue his ex when it’s all over. But he’ll need a new lawyer if he does.”

“You going to be able to say no?” Scott popped the tab on his can of soda.

“Yeah.” Tristan didn’t elaborate.

I waited a moment to see if anyone else was going to speak, then nodded to Cody. “Why don’t you deal and we’ll get the game going?”

“Sure. And you can fill us in on the whole shipwreck thing.” Cody tossed cards into neat piles around the table. “Was there or was there not giant fish involvement.”

“Har.” I slapped my knee under the table. “I don’t know why I missed you guys at all.”

“That would imply he was running from God’s will.” Austin snagged his pile of cards.

“Exactly.” I picked up my cards and fought to keep my face blank. I definitely wasn’t winning this hand unless everyone else also got trash. “Which I was not. I also didn’t get bit by a snake when lighting a fire, thankfully.”

“Paul. Nice.” Scott chuckled. “Any other biblical shipwrecks we need to discuss or can we get back to the whole two weeks on a yacht, alone with, from what I gather, a gorgeous older woman?”

Noah wiggled his eyebrows. “Ooooh. I’d forgotten that. Wes has always had a thing for the older ladies.”

“I have not.” My face heated. I set my cards face down on the table. “You guys are jerks.”

“Classic redirection.” Tristan shook his head. “Aus, we’re waiting on you, man.”

“Right. Sorry. I was distracted by all the over-the-top protesting going on over there by Wes.” Austin tossed some chips into the center of the table.

“I’m not protesting! I’m simply setting the record straight.” I crossed my arms. Why had I thought I missed these guys again?

“Uh-huh. What was that? Oh, right. More protesting.” Austin grinned at me.

Noah tossed some chips in. “Maybe we should come at this from another direction. Are you protesting that you like older women or that the one in question was good looking?”

I pressed my lips together. I could spot a trap when I saw one. I shook my head. “I take the fifth.”

“Counselor?” Noah glanced at Tristan.

Tristan shrugged. “I don’t generally recommend that. It’s basically an admission of guilt. It never saves you.”

I blew out a breath as play came to me. My cards were trash, but at this point, I wasn’t going to fold. I could at least see what we ended up getting to work with. I tossed in chips. “Fine. Yes, Sunshine is lovely. And older. And also very professional.”

“Were you walking on su—”

“Don’t.” I cut Cody off. I absolutely wasn’t in the mood to go down the rabbit hole of all the sun or sunshine related references they could come up with.

“Ooh. Testy.” Cody dealt a card into the center of the table.

“Defending her honor.” Noah nodded. “Always a good look.”

I closed my eyes. Maybe it was better to just address it head-on. Then they could all quit ragging on me about it. I couldn’t even think that seriously. They were never going to quit ragging on me. But…they were the guys. So maybe addressing it was the right way to go anyway.

“Look. She’s hot. And older, and sure, okay, maybe I like more mature women. But she’s a full ten years older, and that seems like a little too much.” I studied my cards, but they didn’t really register. “For all of that though? There are a ton of reasons things could never work between us, and not really any reasons why they would.”

“How does that make you feel?” Scott used his best Freud-inspired voice.

I snickered. “We definitely don’t want to get into talking about my mother, if that’s where you’re going. Although, Mom’s okay. Dad though? He hit me up for money again while I was down there.”

“No way, man.” Cody’s voice was full of sympathy. “Why can’t the guy take a hint?”

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