The Billionaire’s Forever (His Submissive #12)(13)
Author: Ava Claire

Once I was alone I went to the dresser and picked up the folded note, relaxing a little when I saw Jacob’s handwriting.

All of the paperwork came through this morning. Tonight, I’m making you my wife.

Naomi comes highly recommended.

I’ll see you on the beach, Lay.

xx Jacob

I brought the note up to my nose, sniffing it like I expected to smell some hint of him. Just seeing those words were enough to make sparks light in my chest.

I went to my overnight bag, pulling out a pair of cotton shorts and a bra and shimmied into something presentable in record time. I pulled out one of the scarves and tied it around my head, holding back my frizzy locks.

I grabbed the coffee and took a hearty gulp before I stepped out in the hall. I heard the early morning sounds of the island mixing with a familiar voice and stepped into the room beside the entrance.

Naomi was holding a strand of pearls in front of the computer.

"That’s a little too formal for the beach–Leila!"

Naomi stepped to the side and I rushed forward, almost hugging the monitor. "Oh my god, Meg! It’s like you’re here!"

She huffed, flipping her red hair with faux annoyance. "I wish. I’d much rather be on a Caribbean island than grading these papers, that’s for sure!" She smiled, dropping the joke and nodding with approval when Naomi came up with a pair of diamond earrings and held them beside my head. They were studs but they caught all the light in the room and glittered like stars. "Those are perfect! What do you think?"

"They’re beautiful, but–"

"Naomi, can you show her my favorite dress?"

I whipped around as the woman shuffled to a metal rack and thumbed through until she got one with a pink tag near the back.

"Oh wow."

Naomi held it out as I took it in. It had two thin straps with a sweetheart neckline. The bodice swept to one side with a thin white sash that highlighted the breezy fabric. The bottom flowed to the ground, the chiffon light and airy. It was the perfect dress for the beach. Elegant but whimsical. It was a little bit of him–powerful, rich; and a little bit of me–unruly and free.

It was perfect.

I touched it fondly with my fingers, caressing the fabric. "You picked this out?"

"I thought it was weird when Jacob called me to get the store’s information.” When I turned back to her, confused, she gave me a tiny smile. "Yes, I picked them out. Well, me and your mom. We were going to show them to you during the dress shopping appointment next week."

I hung my head guiltily. I’d robbed them of the moment. Of the memory. "I’m so sorry Megan. And Mom–"

She held up a hand. "Don’t you dare apologize! We’re so freaking proud of you for doing something that makes you happy. This is your day, Leila."

I felt the tears pricking my eyes so I cleared my throat. "I still wish you were here."

"Me too." She said fanning her own tears. "If it makes you feel better, it wouldn’t have worked out anyway. Scott’s been starting trouble with our boss and–" She stopped, shaking her head like she was clearing out some terrible image. "You know what? This isn’t about me. Not today."

I wanted to find out what was going on with Scott, but something in the way her eyes flashed told me she didn’t want to talk about it. Like she could sense the tension, Naomi came up behind me.

"How about her hair?" Naomi looked at me and gave me a pensive look. "May I?"

I pulled the scarf off, not sure she knew what she was getting herself into. "Good luck."

She pulled it into a low ponytail. "A bun would be pretty." She released it. "Or something half up and half down?"

Megan tapped a finger on her chin. "How about if you did something with braids or twists with all of it down?"

I gave her a skeptical look.

"Just go with it." Megan looked to Naomi. "I’m seeing two braids on each side sweeping to the back and soft curls flowing down her back."

Naomi turned to me, narrowing her eyes as she studied me, like she was picturing it before she nodded, slowly, then more enthusiastically. "It’ll be beautiful!"

I still wasn’t completely sold, but I figured anything would be better than the frizzy mess I had at the moment.

"I’ll give you two some time alone," Naomi said, releasing her hold on my hair and stepping to the side. "Do you need anything before I gather the things for tonight?"

I shook my head and she and Megan said their goodbyes before we were in the room alone.

"Private island, servants–you’re living the life, Lay," she teased, green eyes glimmering.

"My heads still spinning," I laughed, pulling up a chair and collapsing with a sigh. "I can’t believe I’m getting married tonight." I bit my lip, the tears coming back. "And my best friend in the world won’t be there."

It was almost ironic in the worst possible way. With every headline about the event the press coined ‘The Whitmore Affair’ I winced, pretty much praying for something to happen and put a stop to it. Eloping with Jacob was something I didn’t even think was an option–and the rueful look on Megan’s face was enough to remind me that running away with the man of my dreams did have a price.

I pulled at a fuzzy curl, not looking at the screen because it was a sure fire bet that I would start sobbing uncontrollably.

"Looks like I’m gonna break my promise."

"What promise?" she sniffled.

"You beside me on my wedding day," I said softly, a tear breaking free and dashing onto my cheek.

"Look at me, Leila."

I swept the tear away and brought my eyes up to her tear splotched face.

"I am gonna be beside you."

I made a face. "Yeah, yeah–in spirit."

"You see that white box over near the rack? On the little bookshelf?"

I slid back from the desk and went to the bookcase, a single white box with an ivory bow on it sitting on top of a leather bound copy of Great Expectations.

I picked it up and lifted the lid and let out a tiny gasp, my heart swelling in my chest. Inside on a bed of cotton was a circle of gold links, a thin strip of white and blush fabric wrapped around the length of it.

I took it out, looping it around my wrist. "Megan…this is gorgeous."

"I’m a pretty big fan of it myself."

I’d been ready to stick my tongue out at her until I glared at the screen and saw her holding up her own wrist. She was wearing the same bracelet.

My whole face tingled with emotion as I brought my hand to my mouth, not even bothering to pretend my face wasn’t melting. "It’s…like…the…"