Shonee’s POV
The following day
Jordin slurped her smoothie so loud that even people in Alaska could hear it.
I quirked up a questioning eyebrow. “Really?”
“Mm,” She put her hand up. “I haven’t had any of these ever since I was a kid. Let me enjoy myself.”
Shaking my head, the two of us continued our stroll.
It was a bright Sunday afternoon. To thank the kids for their awesome performance yesterday, the management of the gallery put together a funfair at Fallon Park so the kids could enjoy themselves. There were fun amusement rides, various types of games, and all the sugary sweets you could find.
Standing close to the railing, I spotted Mirasol in one of the bouncing castles and gave her a wave when her eyes landed on me. She waved back and turned to her friends for another jumping session.
“You know I should be thanking you for inviting me,” Jordin said, dropping her now empty smoothie container into the bin. “But I don’t think you just brought me here to indulge in the delicacies of a sugar rush.” She pulled out the pack of churros she bought earlier and started munching. “Something is up?”
“Yeah.” The moment she drew my attention to it, the tension I’d been trying to suppress since last night grew in size. “I invited you out here because… something is going on with me and I really need to tell someone.”
“Ok…” My best friend cautiously began. “Spill.”
Taking a deep breath, I opened my mouth. “I…I think I have feelings for Vincent.”
Jordin stopped chewing. “What?”
“I know, I know, I know it's utterly strange and bizarre and it’s freaking me out cuz I’ve only known him for some weeks now, and I don’t know what to do,” I rambled, rubbing a hand over my face.
Jordin put a comfortable hand on my shoulder. “Ok, calm down Shon. We’ll figure this out, but first, we need to find somewhere to sit.” Her eyes scanned the park. “There, those picnic tables are unoccupied and it’s not far from the bouncing castle. We can sit there and talk while we keep an eye on Mirasol.”
Nodding, I allowed Jordin to steer me in the direction of the tables. After a few minutes of settling down, I spilt out the beans on everything that happened last night, from Vincent’s apology to Fred’s honest mistake about calling Vincent my husband.
“I’m not hundred per cent sure, but I think Fred’s mistake was what triggered it. After running into Vincent in the kitchen on my first night at the mansion, I’ve always known that I was attracted to him. But now it’s like…the attraction isn’t enough. My body wants more of him.”
Jordin’s eyebrows dipped low. “What do you mean more of him?”
I hesitated, knowing damn well that what I was about to say was going to put everything in a different perspective. But I had to tell someone. I couldn’t keep it all bottled up inside. “Last night…I had these…dreams about Vincent…and the things we did to each other…god.” Thinking about it again made my skin fire up with goosebumps.
“Oh my God…you’re having wet dreams about your boss!” Jordin blurted out in excitement, and I had to ‘shush’ her to keep it down.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she whispered. “But seriously, I can’t believe it. Before you moved into his house, you didn’t even think he was that hot and now you want him?”
“I know, and that’s why I need your help, cuz I don’t know what to do, Jordin. This morning, I avoided him because of those dreams. If I keep doing that, he’ll know something is up.”
“So don’t avoid him,” Jordin said. “Don’t do anything that will give him the idea that you’re interested in him. Just be you, Shonee.”
I pushed myself up in my seat, a million thoughts running through my head. “I’m not sure I can do that.”
My phone buzzed on the table with a notification and Jordin picked it up. “I don’t think you have a choice, my friend.” She showed the phone to me. “Vincent just texted you. He’s here at the fair and he wants you to meet him at the gate.”
“Crap.” I slapped a hand over my forehead. ‘Could this situation get any worse,’ I thought.
“Shonee, you’re overreacting. It’s going to be alright.” Jordin grabbed both my hands on the table and gave them a comforting squeeze. “You got this. You’ve totally got this.”
*****
Walking over to the parking lot, I expected to find Dean, the driver, waiting outside the car while Vincent sat inside.
But to my uttermost shock, the billionaire was the one outside, leaning against the hood of his car, dressed in a pair of khaki shorts and a simple blue t-shirt, typing away on his phone.
Honestly, this was my first time seeing him in a casual outfit and I had to admit he looked…good.
‘Snap out of it, Shonee!’ My subconscious admonished.
“Hey,” Noticing me, Vincent stopped typing and shoved his phone into his pocket.
“Hi.” I stopped in front of him. “You drove yourself?”
“Yeah. I gave Dean the day off and didn’t want to bother the other drivers.”
The moment he pushed himself off the car, it was as if the proximity between us had turned into a magnetic field, drawing me close to him, and because I couldn’t stand it, I took a wide step back.
Vincent watched me curiously. “Are you ok?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m completely fine,” I responded, nervously brushing a loose braid to the side. “Uhh…we should get going. I have a friend watching over Mirasol so…yeah.” Without waiting for a response, I pivoted on my heel, heading back to the park.
It didn’t take long for Vincent to catch up and I tried my best to keep some distance between us as we walked over to the picnic table where Jordin now sat with Mirasol and two of her friends.
“Daddy!” Mirasol ran into her father’s arms, clobbering him in a hug. “You’re here.”
“Yeah.” Vincent picked her up, hoisting her onto his side. “What have you been eating, sweetheart? You’ve got smudges of chocolate and biscuit crumbs all over your cheeks.”
“Jordin bought us churros,” She yelled.
“Jordin?”
“That would be me.” My best friend extended a hand.  “Jordin Peele, I’m the junior project manager for Avril Fragrances.”
“Oh, you work for my fiancée.” Vincent shook her outstretched hand. “Is that how you two met?” He asked, sending a subtle head jab my way.
“Actually no,” I interjected. “Jordin and I go way back. We’ve been best friends since high school.”
Vincent seemed genuinely intrigued. “Oh really, then it’s a pleasure to meet you, Jordin.”
“Likewise, Mr. Beckham. You don’t have any idea how honoured I am to finally meet you.” She sent a look my way that had Vincent turning with curiosity.
“Daddy, meet my best friends too.” Mirasol hopped out of her father’s arms to join the two girls. “This is Julia.” Mirasol pointed at the quiet redhead who had just turned bashfully red in the face. “And this Abbie.”
Abbie put the last bit of the churros in her mouth before giving us a wave.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you all,” Vincent said, flashing a charming smile. “I hope you’re all having a good time.”
“We are!” Abbie exclaimed; chocolate smeared across her face. “Especially with these churros. Jordin says they’re the best!”
Vincent chuckled. “Well, I'm glad you're enjoying them. Should I get you some more?”
A collective “Yes!” came his way.
As the conversation continued, I couldn't help but steal glances at Vincent. His easygoing manner with Mirasol and the girls, his genuine smile – it made my heart flutter, and I struggled to maintain composure.
Jordin, ever the perceptive one, nudged me with her elbow. “See? Just be yourself, and everything will be fine.”
“Easy for you to say,” I muttered under my breath, but Jordin just rolled her eyes.
Eventually, the group decided to explore more of the fair together. Vincent insisted on trying out the carousel, and Mirasol, Abbie, and Julia were eager to join him.
“Shonee, are you coming?” Mirasol asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Uh, yeah, sure.” I nodded, glancing at Jordin for support. She grinned and gave me an encouraging thumbs-up.
As we approached the carousel, Vincent turned to me. “You joining, Shonee?”
“Yeah, why not?” I tried to sound casual, though my heart raced. The idea of getting on a carousel with Vincent felt both thrilling and nerve-wracking.
We found an empty row on the carousel, and as the music started and the lights twinkled, I couldn’t help but steal glances at Vincent. He caught my eye and gave me a reassuring smile.
The carousel spun, and laughter filled the air as we went round and round. Mirasol, Abbie, and Julia were having a blast, and I couldn’t deny the infectious joy of the moment.
In that carousel ride, amidst the laughter and music, I found myself letting go of the tension I had been carrying. Maybe Jordin was right; maybe being myself around Vincent wasn’t such a bad idea.