My Unexpected Vow: California Billionaires Book 2 Harlow James (scary books to read txt) 📖

feathered boa and a cow-print cowboy hat? Damn, this was some classy affair!” Chloe laughs. “Now I’m pissed that I missed it.”

I cover my face with my free hand. “Shut up, Chloe,” I reply through a chuckle. “It’s embarrassing enough, okay?”

“Where did you get your get-up for the ceremony?”

“Emma said they had costume props you could choose to wear at the chapel, so that’s what we chose, apparently.”

“Well, you did have something borrowed and blue then,” she confirms as I drop my hand from my face and roll my eyes.

“So where are you now? That doesn’t look like the inside of your condo?” Shayla asks, trying to move her head around to see what’s behind me.

“Uh, I’m at Hayes’s house.”

“What?” They shout in unison.

“I kind of live here now… with him.”

“Shut the front door!” Chloe screams as Shayla winces at her volume.

“Jesus, Chloe!”

“Why are you not freaking out more, Shayla? This is crazy!”

“I know, but I would like to keep my hearing for a few more years,” she says, pulling her earbud from one of her ears.

“It is crazy. It’s only been a few days, but his house is nothing like what I imagined it would be.”

“You know,” Shayla starts, pursing her lips to the side, “Wes told me that Hayes doesn’t ever bring women back to his place when he entertains them. In fact, I don’t think a woman has ever set foot in his house.”

“Really?” I glance to the side of the room as all sorts of questions bombard my mind.

“Yeah, so it’s pretty crazy that he asked you to move in.”

“Well, I’m the one that kind of suggested it. His parents think this is real, and I need it to look real to keep Brett away.”

“Is he still bothering you?” Chloe chimes in before taking a sip of her Coke.

“He tried texting me on New Year’s Day, but I didn’t reply since I was extremely hungover and trying to figure out my life. But I don’t reply to him anymore, anyway. You’d think he’d get the hint that I’m not interested in hearing what he has to say.”

“I would have blocked his number by now.”

“You’re right. I should. I don’t know why I haven’t done it yet.” I shrug and then mentally remind myself to do that once I’m off of this call.

“So give us the tour! I wanna see where the elusive Hayes Weston lives,” Chloe demands with a waggle of her eyebrows.

I chuckle and then stand from the couch, flipping the camera around as I guide them through the house. I mean, at least I get to spend the next six months in this gorgeous home, even if I have to share the space with Hayes.

Once I arrive in my room, I plop down on my bed, resting my head on my pillow.

“Damn, the man has taste,” Chloe says.

“Definitely not what I was expecting,” Shayla adds.

“I know. It’s so homey and comfortable. But I’d better not get used to it.”

“How long are you guys going to let this run?” Shayla asks.

“We figured six months would be enough.”

“Then you’ll have to make it to my wedding. Wes and I decided on Aruba at the end of June!” Her smile widens and little hearts appear in her eyes. Of all the women my brother could have chosen, I’m glad it’s her. Shayla loves him, and it’s apparent each time we speak.

I hope my brother will feel that way about the man I end up with—excluding Hayes, of course. I know he and Wes had lunch today, so I’m eager to hear how that went, or see whether or not Hayes’s nose is broken from my brother’s fist.

“That sounds reasonable, I guess. But Aruba? That sounds perfect! Why did you decide on there?”

“The more we talked about it, the more we wanted something intimate and away from the press. Wes said Aruba is one of the most beautiful places he’s been and assured that I’d love it. So I said, what the heck?”

“You’d better choose short and flattering bridesmaids’ dresses for us,” Chloe interrupts with an arch of her brow. “I can already feel my vagina sweating if you put us in something floor length.”

I can’t help but snort at her crassness. When I first met Chloe, I wasn’t sure about her. But after getting to know her more, I can appreciate her for who she is—unapologetically honest.

“There will be minimal vagina sweat, alright?” Shayla says with a roll of her eyes.

The sound of the garage door opening tells me that Hayes is home. “Hey, it sounds like Hayes just pulled in. I’ve got to go.”

“Do you need to perform your wifely duties?” Chloe teases.

“Like what?” I ask as I stand from my bed and check my appearance in the mirror on my dresser.

“Cooking, cleaning, bending over while loading the dishwasher and pretending you didn’t know you could see through your yoga pants.”

“Uh, sorry to burst your bubble, but none of that will be happening. First, I don’t cook. Second, I can clean up after myself, but I will not be his maid. And third, there will be no accidental anything going on between me and Hayes.” The sound of the door from the garage shutting means Hayes is inside now.

“You’re not going to take your new husband for a test drive?” Chloe sounds shocked.

“Hell no! It’s Hayes! His dick is probably infected and about to fall off. Plus, it would just complicate things.”

“Uh, newsflash, Waverly,” Shayla says, “this is pretty complicated already.”

“Won’t you miss sex? I mean, I know the man can be infuriating, but he’s not a travesty to look at,” Chloe adds.

“I can barely stand him. Believe me, just getting through the next six months will be enough to distract me from a lack of sex.”

Shayla and Chloe share a look through the phone.

“What was that look for?”

“Nothing,” they say at the same time.

I sigh. “Whatever. Now you know, and I have to go.”

“Use protection!” Chloe shouts before ending the call, leaving Shayla and me