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

“What I feel is an overwhelming desire to start the rest of my life, and I’m sure Hayes feels the same way.”

Chapter 6

Hayes

I come down the stairs, buttoning up my jacket just as Waverly’s voice scares the shit out of me.

“Good morning.”

“Dear God, woman,” I mumble as I place my hand over my rapidly beating heart while I freeze on the staircase, gripping the banister with my other hand. I swear, a stampede of elephants is in my chest, shaking my body from the weight of my heart pumping blood through me right now. “Are you trying to give me a damn heart attack?”

She giggles and then brings her cup of coffee to her mouth. “No. Contrary to what you might think, I don’t have a death wish for you.” She’s sitting on the couch, her legs crisscrossed in front of her as her computer rests between her knees.

“Well, that’s good to know. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.” I collect myself before stepping into the kitchen, reaching for my thermos from the cabinet and moving to fill it at the coffeepot. “What are you up to today?”

“Oh, just putting in a few more job applications. I actually have an interview already at the end of the month,” she says brightly as I turn to take her in.

Waverly is a beautiful woman—only a fool would think otherwise. But there’s something about the way she’s so comfortably sitting on my couch right now that is making her make-up-free skin glow in the soft sunlight coming through the blinds drawn over the massive windows behind her, highlighting her smile and the twinkle in her bright green eyes. She’s so casual in her baggy clothes with her hair piled up on her head, such a contrast to the dolled-up version of her I’m used to seeing. And even though she’s been living with me for almost two weeks now, this is the first time I think I’ve seen her first thing in the morning and I don’t hate the view.

That thought has me taking a step back, turning my back to her, so she doesn’t catch my perplexed expression. “That’s great.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty excited. I just wish it weren’t so far off.”

“It’s probably a money thing. Companies tend not to hire positions until the start of a new fiscal billing month, or perhaps someone is getting fired and they want to make sure they can fill the position before they let them go.”

“Oh, I guess that makes sense.” She brings her cup to her lips again as I turn back around, grabbing my wallet off the counter where I always leave it.

“Okay, well, I’m off. I have meetings all mornings and then I’m checking on a few clubs in So Cal this afternoon.”

“Sounds like a busy day.”

“You’ll be fine alone?” I ask, even though I shouldn’t care. She’s a grown woman and can keep herself entertained.

She scoffs at me, which only confirms my thoughts. “Yes, I’ll be fine. I have things to keep me busy.”

“You know, I have to go to Vegas next week, check on things there. Why don’t you come?”

She stares at me dumbfoundedly. “You want me to go back to Vegas with you?”

“What? It’s not like we can get drunk and married again,” I reply with a hint of annoyance. She glares at me, but I continue. “This is for work. And it might be a good thing if we’re seen together out in public.”

An article ran yesterday announcing our marriage. It was carefully orchestrated by the publicist of my father’s company, and Wes approved. We spun the story as a whirlwind, falling for your best friend’s younger sister romance, and kept the photo from our ceremony out of it. The press and entertainment outlets are eating it up, just the way we wanted them to.

“I mean, I guess.”

“Do you have something better to do than accompany your husband for work?” I tease her as she glowers at me, but I see her fighting a grin.

“Oh, heavens no!” she exclaims dramatically, standing from the couch and moving into the kitchen to set her cup in the sink. “I live to serve you, husband of mine.” She laughs at her own antics and then asks, “When would we leave?”

I grab my phone from my pocket and open up my calendar. “Tuesday and come home Wednesday night, it looks like.”

She teeters her head on her neck. “I think I can move a few things around for you, hubby.”

“Oh, jeez. Is that my nickname?”

She smirks at me, crossing her arms over her chest. “Do you have a preference of something else I can call you? What about, babe?”

“Babe? That’s so plain.”

“Yes, but real and not over the top. If we’re around people and I call you sweet cheeks, don’t you think that sounds fake?”

I can’t help but laugh at her suggestion. “Sweet cheeks? Have you been checking out my ass, Beaverly?”

I notice a slight tinge of pink flush up her neck before she walks around me and heads upstairs. “Hell no.”

“Oh, don’t deny it, sweetheart. It’s okay. I have a nice ass, I’m aware,” I call out after her.

“Bite me, Hayes!” she yells back.

“Just tell me where, sweetheart.”

* * *

Sitting across from Waverly in the plane my assistant reserved for the trip is boggling my mind. I’m so used to traveling alone, to stare at nothing but an empty seat across from me.

However, currently seated in that chair is a bright-eyed Waverly, dressed in a mint green dress with yellow flowers printed on the fabric. And her perfume is filling up the cabin of the plane, a scent I’ve picked up on in the past few weeks that is oddly comforting, yet captivating. Floral, yet fruity, the smell serves as a tracker to wherever she is. As soon as I enter my house, my nose searches her out on instinct—and