The Billionaire's Best Friend (The Sherbrookes of Newport) Read online

  The Billionaire’s Best Friend, copyright 2013, Christina Tetreault

  Published by Christina Tetreault

  Copyright 2013 Christina Tetreault

  Digital layout: www.formatting4U.com

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without permission in writing from the author at [email protected]. This book is a work of fiction. The characters, events, and places portrayed in this book are products of the author’s imagination and are either fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

  For more information on the author and her works, please see www.christinatetreault.com

  Table of Contents

  Prologe

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  The author would like to give a special thank you to the following people:

  Angelique Miller and Becka Lynn for letting me “borrow” their dogs JoJo and Maggie.

  Dr. Bryan K. Harrell, LT Medical Corp U.S. Navy for answering my questions regarding the military.

  Prologue

  No one will notice if I sneak outside for a minute. Tugging at the cuff of her sweater, Lauren McDonald crossed the room to the French doors leading outside. A cold blast of air hit her head-on, a stark contrast to the warmer temperature inside the apartment, but it didn’t deter her.

  Outside, she took a deep breath and exhaled as she took in the view of the city. From the balcony she caught sight of the Prudential Building, or the Pru as Bostonians called it, lit up with the official logo of the New England Patriots, who were at that moment winning the Super Bowl by two touchdowns.

  I can breathe again. The thought made no sense because the penthouse apartment consisted of more square footage than her own home, but thanks to Shelia Wentworth’s overpowering perfume, she’d felt starved of air. Lauren looked back inside at the party’s other guests. She caught a glimpse of Mark Wentworth, the governor’s son, and Henry Fuller, some bigwig defense attorney and owner of the downtown Boston apartment.

  When Kevin had invited her to the Super Bowl party, she’d realized it would be different from the ones she’d attended in the past. Considering the people Kevin called friends, how could it be anything else? And she’d been correct. This party didn’t have any plastic bowls filled with chips and salsa. There were no buffalo wings and pepperoni pizza from Tim’s Pizza. Her nephew didn’t keep popping into the room hoping to stay up past his bedtime and watch the game like he had the year before. Oh no, none of that for this refined crowd.

  Instead, a professional wait staff served clams casino and sushi. A trained bartender mixed drinks, while fine champagne was chilled in the event the Patriots won tonight. The entire evening felt more like a wedding reception than a football party with friends.

  In many ways the party tonight was more like the fundraisers and other social events she attended, thanks to her friendship with Callie Talbot. The only real difference between those events and this one was she had Callie and her family around at those times. Both the Talbots and the Sherbrookes made an effort to make her feel welcome.

  With the exception of Kevin Walsh, her date, she couldn’t say the same about the people here tonight. While the other guests were cordial, they made little effort to include her in their discussions which revolved around topics she couldn’t relate to. The two women she’d been standing with had launched into a comparison of their favorite haunts in Monaco. While Callie and her family might also have favorite spots in the tiny country so popular among the wealthy, they’d find a topic that mattered to them all, including her.

  Kevin was like that, too. Since their first date, he’d gone out of his way to find things they had in common. Surprisingly, they had a lot of the same interests. They liked the same music, had similar tastes in movies, and both enjoyed the theater.

  Somehow, though, the behavior of the other guests didn’t bother her tonight. Although the reaction had dissipated somewhat over the past two years, usually her insides still got all tied up at events like this one. She’d become painfully aware that she didn’t belong. Tonight, however, that was not the case. With the exception of the nausea caused by Sheila’s perfume, she felt relaxed, if not somewhat bored with the other women’s conversation.

  A fat snowflake landed on her arm, and Lauren glanced up. Earlier in the evening the sky had sparkled with stars and a large full moon. Now only a few stars remained visible among the clouds. The meteorologist had called for a forty percent chance of snow tonight, and it appeared as though he’d been correct. Even with the snowflakes drifting down, Lauren remained outside, enjoying a few more minutes away from the world inside the apartment.

  “There you are. I’ve been looking for you.” Kevin’s hand settled on her waist and pulled her close. “What are you doing out here? Are you okay?”

  She heard the concern in his voice. The polite thing would’ve been to find him before she went outside. “I’m fine. Just wanted some fresh air and a chance to check out the view before the game starts again. The city looks beautiful from up here. We can go back in if you want.” Lauren moved so she faced him, and once again the thought that he belonged on a movie set rather than inside a corporate office struck her. She’d had the very same thought the evening he’d first approached her.

  She’d accompanied Callie to a fundraiser in New York several weeks earlier. When she’d walked into the Waldorf Astoria, the last thing on her mind was a boyfriend. It’d been eleven months since her last relationship ended, and in that time she hadn’t been on a single date. Yet, when Kevin approached her she hadn’t shied away. In fact, when she saw Callie start back for their table, she’d thrown her a don’t come back just yet look. From that point on, they had talked all night. Then before she left, he’d asked for her number. When she’d given it to him, she’d half expected him not to call. After all, unlike the guests in attendance, she didn’t have millions sitting in her bank account, and he knew that. During their lengthy conversation, she’d told him she taught elementary school. Regardless, the following evening he called, and the next weekend they went out.

  “Let’s stay out here for a few more minutes. The half-time show just ended.” He cut off any rebuttal with a kiss.

  The warmth from his body seeped into hers, chasing away her goosebumps. Lauren threw herself into the kiss. She could taste the alcohol on his breath. It had to be a cocktail from the bar. She’d never seen Kevin touch a beer. Instead, he always ordered Manhattans and Old Fashions, drinks that seemed better suited to men from her father’s generation.

  Kevin pulled his lips away. “I’m glad you came tonight. Are you enjoying yourself?”

  “Yes, very much.”

  “Do you have plans next Saturday?” Kevin leaned back against the railing, his hand locked around hers. “Hamlet opens at the Wang Theater.”

  “Sounds nice.”

  Behind them the French doors opened. “The game is back on,” Mark Wentworth ca
lled out to them.

  “I think that’s our cue.”

  “Only if you’re ready.” Kevin rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. “We can stay out here for a few more minutes.”

  She appreciated the sentiment, but it made no sense for them to stay outside. “I’ve had enough fresh air.”

  Kevin kept Lauren tucked up against him as they joined the others. She’d claimed the view and fresh air had pulled her outside, and he hoped that was the only reason she’d left the party. When he’d left her alone with Mark’s and Henry’s wives, he’d assumed she would be at ease with the women. After all, she possessed an outgoing personality and regularly spent time with the likes of Callie Talbot and Sara Sherbrooke. He wanted Lauren to enjoy herself—get to know his friends and business associates.

  “Are you hungry?” Kevin asked as he led her toward an empty love seat. On the large screen television, the Patriots’ offense was preparing for the first play of the second half.

  Lauren shook her head and took a seat on the edge of the cushion. “All set.”

  Sitting down next her, he pulled her back to him. “If you change your mind, let me know.” He took hold of her hand and let most of his attention return to the game.

  Chapter 1

  Lauren read the final paragraph of the essay and laughed. Her students never ceased to amaze her. As a way to combine language arts with their current science unit on space she’d asked them to write an essay about what they thought life on the moon would be like. She’d known some of her students had fantastic imaginations, but each of her fifth-graders amazed her with this assignment. The essays not only demonstrated their knowledge of the moon, but also showcased how far their writing skills had progressed since the start of the school year.

  After writing a short note at the bottom of the most recent paper, Lauren put a grade in the top right-hand corner and added it to the corrected pile before recording the grade in her computer. She was about to reach for another essay when the doorbell echoed through her tiny ranch house, followed by JoJo’s barking. Taking a quick peek out the window, she recognized the dark green Mercedes parked in her driveway. Right on time as always. Lauren moved away from the window and toward the front door.

  “Happy birthday.” Callie Talbot, her best friend since high school, stepped forward and gave Lauren a hug as soon as she opened the door, despite the large bag hanging from one arm and the large box in her hand.

  “Thank you. Come on in,” Lauren said, returning the hug. “How was the drive?” Closing the door, she followed her friend, who was more like a sister, into the living room.

  “Not bad. I stopped to see Helen on the way here.”

  Lauren joined Callie on the couch. “How is she?” Helen Lee had been Callie’s mom’s best friend, and since her mom’s death a couple of years earlier, Callie went out of her way to stay in contact with the woman.

  “Good. Her third grandchild was born last month. She had a ton of pictures to show me. And she said to say hello.” Callie set the bag down on the coffee table. “I can get my overnight bag from the car later, but I wanted to give you this now.” Reaching into the bag, Callie pulled out a small box wrapped with a pink bow, as well as a large cake box. “I saw these and thought of you.” She handed Lauren the small box.

  Unwrapping the small box, Lauren smiled when she pulled open the lid. Nestled inside were long pink earrings in the shape of ballet slippers. The pair would fit in perfectly with her school jewelry. Every day she wore a different pair of silly earrings. She’d started doing it as a student teacher eleven years ago, and somehow it had become her thing. Now all her students expected it, and many gave her earrings as end-of-year gifts.

  “They’re perfect. Thank you.”

  “That’s not all I have. I brought a red velvet cake from Rosie’s bakery, and this is also for you.” Callie handed her the larger box she’d been holding.

  “Red velvet from Rosie’s. That will be gone tonight.” Lauren eyed the bakery box as she accepted the other gift her friend held out. Unlike the first gift, which had been wrapped in paper decorated with balloons, this one was wrapped in silver paper and an intricately tied bow adorned the top. Callie hadn’t wrapped this box. The only time she put a bow on a box was when it had a self-adhesive back attached to it.

  “You didn’t need to get me anything.” Lauren played with the bow, not wanting to disturb the beautifully wrapped gift.

  Callie shrugged. “I know, but I wanted to. Now open it. I’ve been dying to give this to you since I bought it last week.”

  Lauren rolled her eyes. “You’ve gotten bossy since getting married, chickie. You know that, don’t you? More impatient, too. I think your husband is rubbing off on you.” Slowly, just to annoy her friend, Lauren untied the bow and carefully tore off the paper. “How is he?” Lauren folded the paper after she unwrapped the present.

  Callie grabbed the paper from her hands and balled it up then tossed it on the end table. “He’s great. Now will you open it already before I do it for you?”

  Lauren pulled open the box and her jaw dropped. Inside the box was perhaps the most gorgeous gown she’d ever seen. Just looking at it she knew it wasn’t something you could pick up at the nearby mall.

  “I saw it in Saks and thought of you.” For the most part, Callie hadn’t changed her style or shopping preferences despite her change in financial status. Yet every once in a while she popped into stores like Saks and Gucci. “You need to open the envelope, too.” She elbowed Lauren in the side when Lauren didn’t move.

  So overwhelmed by the gown, she’d missed the envelope sitting on top of it. Gingerly, she picked it up and pulled out two tickets to the ballet Giselle being performed in New York City and a printout for hotel reservations at a nearby Sherbrooke Hotel.

  “I thought you’d like a new gown for the show. I knew you liked the gown I wore to the New Year’s Eve party. This one reminded me of it when I saw it on display.”

  For a moment Lauren couldn’t speak around the lump in her throat. She loved that ballet and had always wanted to see it performed in New York City, but she had considered the endeavor too expensive. Instead she opted for local shows. At one time, Callie would’ve thought the same way. This extravagant gift only reminded her of how different their lives had become. Lauren looked down at the gown again, a twinge of sadness dampening the happiness she’d felt when Callie had arrived. Sometimes it would be nice to turn back time for a day or two. Make things the way they’d been before Callie had learned her father was Warren Sherbrooke and she’d married billionaire Dylan Talbot.

  “I . . . you, shouldn’t have. I can’t accept all this. It’s too much.”

  Callie waved a hand in her direction dismissing her comment. “I thought you and Kevin could go.”

  After sticking the tickets back in the envelope, Lauren reached over and gave Callie a hug. “Thank you. If he can’t go, I’ll ask Kelly or maybe my mom. Kelly may not be up for it. She looks like she might pop any day now,” Lauren said, referring to her older sister. “I’d ask you, but I know how you feel about the ballet.”

  Callie wiped imaginary sweat from her forehead. “Now that I know I’m safe, how about some of that cake?”

  Lauren grabbed the box off the table and headed for the kitchen. “You read my mind, girlfriend. Be right back.”

  “Are these flowers from Kevin?” Callie asked, referring to the floral arrangement on the table.

  “They came yesterday, and this morning he called to wish me a happy birthday.” Lauren sliced into the dense cake and cut two large pieces. “You want some coffee, too?”

  “All set thanks.”

  Lauren paused, a slice of cake hovering over the dish. “Did you just say no to coffee?”

  “I had three cups on my way here. Do you have any of the herbal tea I had the last time I visited?”

  “Sure. I bought a new kind, too, if you want that instead. It’s orange spice.”

  “Nah, just give me the same one f
rom before. I liked that one a lot. Actually, I bought some when I got home. So how are things going with Kevin?”

  Lauren switched her thoughts over to Callie’s question as she prepared the tea. Since she’d started seeing Kevin, she hadn’t really discussed the budding relationship with anyone. “Okay. We’re still getting to know each other.” Lauren reentered the living room and handed Callie a plate and her tea.

  Callie rolled her eyes. “Which means what exactly? Are you dating other people? Has he met your family? Come on, Lauren, I want details here.”

  Lauren swallowed the tiny bit of heaven in her mouth. “He’ll meet them this weekend. He was supposed to come to Jenny’s birthday party with me but didn’t make it. Some emergency at work.” It still bothered her a little that he had to work during her niece’s birthday party after promising he’d come. “And I haven’t been out with anyone else since our first date back in January.”

  Callie took a forkful of cake and then put her plate down. “I still cannot believe Jenny’s three.”

  “Tell me about it.” Lauren reached for her steaming mug of coffee. “It seems like she was just born yesterday.”

  “So, will Kevin be at your mom’s retirement party tomorrow?”

  “He promised he’d be there.”

  “I’m still surprised she’s retiring. I thought she’d be there forever.”

  “It surprised everyone. She’s worked in the school library for more than twenty years. The principal tried to change her mind, but Mom refused. She wants to be around when Kelly has the baby next month. When Kelly’s maternity leave ends, Mom is going to watch the baby during the day.” Lauren dug her fork into the cake again. “So, do you still love it at the academy?” After her marriage, Callie had decided to remain a teacher. A decision that had shocked the media and much of the country.

  Callie raised another forkful of cake toward her mouth. “Most days. You know how it is. But I’m tossing around the idea of leaving at the end of the school year. Maybe taking on some charitable work instead. It’ll be something different, and when Dylan travels I can go with him.”