The Billionaire's Ex-Best Friend - Book 1 - Chapter 5

She opened the front door to find Alex standing there. He was perfect. Blue suit and tie white shirt. His hair brushed back, he could have been on the cover of a magazine. She stood there for a moment before the realization set in that she had been working much longer than she realized. He smiled at her and it brought her back to reality quickly. "Alex, I ...well see the thing is." She looked down at herself and he cut her off. "I'm early, Brat, you have time to get ready unless you want to change the plan and do something more industrial?" She threw a rag at him and he chuckled. The truth was she was adorable. Hair in braids and cleaning, it was like he stepped back in time for a moment. He needed that moment. He felt normal even if for only a few moments. He settled onto a barstool and watched her head upstairs to get ready. "I'll hurry, Alex, I promise." She called down the stairs to him."Just wash your hair, whatever you do, I think I saw a candy bar wrapper in there." He smiled. He heard the bathroom door shut and the water come on. She always kept him amused if nothing else. He looked around the house. Her father was alone here and it was cozy. He much preferred a smaller space when being alone. It was nice - almost like the house was hugging you. Unlike the space Alex had at home. He was alone in a tremendous amount of space.

She bounded down the stairs and the transformation was astounding. She straightened her hair somehow and was wearing a dark blue dress with a square-cut neckline and black pumps. Her face was alive with pink cheeks and some light gloss on her lips. Otherwise, she was without makeup. "You gonna stare at me like I have two heads or are we going, Mr. Jacobs?" She put her hands on her hips and tapped her foot. He shook himself free of his thoughts and stood so they could go. The drive was pleasant and uneventful. He decided to drive them himself and made reservations in the town nearby. They had reservations for 7, and he knew she was always multitasking so his early arrival was on purpose.

They dined on oysters and salads, and he ordered steak for his main course. She had the fish. They chatted about the past and who was where. It was over dessert when a burly-looking man came over to say hello. "Alex and Brie...now if Junior and Jerry were here I'd be rich right now." He smiled and Alex stood and embraced his friend. Brie did the same and kissed Brandon on the cheek. He was part of the "group" and had managed to stay close by. He wasn't in uniform but Alex knew he had become a cop a year or so ago. He was always the jokester of the group which made his profession that more interesting. He had always been the one to get them into trouble and now he was the one enforcing the rules. "Just look at you two, how long has it been two or three years?" Alex motioned for him to sit and he did so. "My buddies and I are out celebrating a big bust we took down earlier today. I have to get back, but after seeing "Red," over here." He hooked his thumb towards Brie. "I just had to come and say hello." Brie smiled at him. "You look great, and congrats on the bust." "I look the same, you on the other hand look great." He leaned towards her obviously flirting and joking at the same time."Sorry to hear about your folks Alex man, really. I was at the funeral but you were surrounded by people." He sobered for a moment. "Thanks, Bran that means a lot to me."

Alex took a long drink. "So why would you be rich?" "Oh yeah, that." He chuckled "A long time ago Jerry and Junior and I made a bet on who was going to marry Brie. They said Mason, but not me, I said Alex. We all put two bucks in and buried it under the old cotton mill steps." He laughed and they joined in. "Well we're not married so you'd still not be rich, and besides, that money was spent a long time ago." Alex smiled at the shocked look on his face. "Well, you two look married enough all fancy and laughing I just assumed..." he trailed off as Brie took a long drink of water. "Wait what do you mean that money was spent a long time ago?" "Well the thing is Mason and I heard about your bet and we dug that money up and bought soda pop and chips one afternoon. We sat by the old mill and laughed at how we pulled one over on you all." Alex laughed at the look on his face. "Well damn, and here I thought I had $6 in savings I could count on." He smiled at them and stood up. "I have to get going, y'all look real nice together so don't fight the love people." He sauntered off giving Brie a wink as he went. "Well, Bran has certainly not changed a bit." Brie changed the subject as to avoid and discussion about love. "Have I told you you look beautiful tonight Brie? I'm slow so I doubt I have but I wanted you to know it." He gave her a half-smile and she blushed. What was wrong with him anyway, he was being awfully flirty.