Fated (BBW BWWM Billionaire Romance): A Second Chance Novella (Tied to Him: My BFF Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

don’t even remember the last time I was in a serious relationship though my dad’s been pressuring me to find some high-society girl and get married and start making heirs.
    Guess who’s not interested in that plan at all?
    I can’t imagine willingly entering a marriage like the one between him and Mom—there was more distance between them than the top of Mt. Everest and the ground.
    What a nightmare.
    I mean, sure—both came from wealthy families, so they both lived the good life I guess, but something about the whole thing looked so empty and unappealing.
    I want more than they had—I want it all. I have far more money than I’ll ever need in a lifetime, and I want someone I can share the big and small with. I want a life filled with warmth and laughter, not stiff parties and smiles.
    I can’t recall a single time I looked into either of my parents’ eyes and saw true joy.
    Well, that’s not completely true, I guess—I recently visited Mom at the house, and there was something different about her. When some dude stopped by supposedly for a repair, I figured it out immediately—she was having an affair with him and clearly enjoying it.
    All I could think was, good for her! Because god knows Dad’s in a constant state of affairs.
    I don’t know if she really loves that repair guy or not, but she’s finally having fun.
    I used to wonder if Dad has her in some kind of contract that prevents her from leaving because it seems she could be so much better off outside of their sham of a marriage. Like, why doesn’t she just leave?
    “So. Nine o’clock tonight?” I offer Nina.
    It’s Friday; I’m guessing she doesn’t work tomorrow.
    “That should give me enough time,” she says. “I can’t stay out too long, though.”
    I want to ask why, but I just know some ‘tude will make an appearance.
    I’m aware I don’t necessarily have a right to all the corners of her life, but old habits are hard to break—we used to talk about pretty much anything and I still want us to.
    But I guess I’ll exercise a bit of patience and do things on her terms for now.
    “Great. I’ll pick you up eight,” I say, getting ready to get her address from her.
    Since I don’t know where she lives, I don’t know how far she’ll be from the place I have in mind, but I know how women go—in any case, I’ll need at least a fifteen-minute buffer.
    “Coming,” she’ll say when I pull up, then go on to tweak her makeup and check her hair and shit for the next ten minutes or so, perhaps even reconsidering the pair of shoes she chose and try on a different pair.
    “No,” she says firmly. “I’ll meet you there—at whatever restaurant you choose.”
    “That’s just not happening,” I say before I can reconsider my choice of words or soften them.
    “Then I guess this meeting or date or whatever the hell you want to call it isn’t happening.”
    She stares at me with a challenge in her eyes.
    Fuck.
    Okay, so she has a bit of leverage right now; after all, I can’t force her to go out with me.
    How the hell’s she gonna get there, though? Is she really gonna take a cab?
    This is such bullshit.
    “Is your boyfriend dropping you off?” I ask. I regret not being able to hide how much I hate the idea.
    I really don’t know where this green-eyed monster comes from whenever I’m faced with the possibility of someone being with Nina.
    I didn’t have to think about it while I went about my business after graduation, but now that she’s in front of me, I’m feeling possessive again.
    “Is that any of your business?” she says with an edge to her voice.
    “If you’re going out with me, yes it is.”
    “Not when I’m meeting up with you as a friend, Brent.”
    So does she have someone or not?
    Fine, she wants to play coy, I’ll wait until dinner.
    Guess I’ll find out everything about the past few years and what she’s got going on right now tonight.
    All of her secrecy is making me unbearably curious—I really