Page 29 of Blue Collar Billionaire
If only it was so simple. Lexi pulled up and parked in an open space off to the side of the garage. There were two other cars parked outside—a big black pickup truck and a silver mini SUV. Luckily, she was apparently one of the first to arrive. It would be easier if she could ease into this rather than walk into a house full of strangers. “Okay.”
“You don’t sound convinced.”
“I’m not. But I’ll do my best.”
“If this isn’t serious, don’t take it seriously,” Bianca said. “I think that’s the best way to go.”
Lexi thanked her then hung up, her stomach wobbling with unease. She grabbed her bag and the gift she’d bought for Angie and climbed out of the car just as Jack stepped out the front door onto his wraparound front porch. That one glimpse of him and his broad smile made all the worry evaporate. She hadn’t seen him since early Monday morning at the airstrip, and although they’d talked on the phone every night all week, it didn’t come close to matching the sight of him in person. She nearly ran to him, even in heels, flinging her arms around him, or as close as she could get considering their size difference. For Jack’s part, he threaded his arms under Lexi’s and her feet left the ground when he lifted her for a kiss.
“It’s so good to see you,” he said.
“Nice to see you, too,” Lexi murmured.
From somewhere behind him, someone cleared their throat.
Jack whipped around. “Oh, Angie. I’d like you to meet Lexi. Lexi, this is Angie.”
Jack’s sister stepped forward, tall like he was, but willowy. Her hair was a shade darker brown than Jack’s, and she had a natural beauty accentuated by her strong features, wide sable eyes and full lips. She was dressed in a flowing red sundress and flat sandals. “Finally, I meet the famous Lexi. Thank you for coming.” She sized her up, then offered a hug.
Lexi was relieved, figuring no one hugs a person they think they might ultimately hate, and she eagerly accepted the embrace. “I’m glad we finally get to meet. Happy birthday.” She handed over the gift, again feeling uncertain.
“Thank you. I’ll open this later. With the rest of the presents.”
A very tall man Lexi didn’t know emerged through the front door. “I’ve been looking for you guys.”
“Rich, come meet Lexi,” Jack said, waving him over.
So, this was Rich, Jack’s best friend. He towered over Lexi, just like Jack, nearly as muscle-bound and broad-shouldered. He offered his hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
She hoped that was a good thing. “It’s great to finally put a face with the name.”
Several more cars pulled up into the driveway. “I should go greet my guests.”
Angie grabbed Lexi’s hand. “Go. Lexi and I will get to know each other.”
“It’s your birthday,” Jack said. “Don’t you think you should come with me?”
“They’re your friends, Jack. Remember, I’m the new girl in town. I can meet them later. This might be the only chance Lexi and I get to talk about you.”
Jack slid his sister a skeptical look and put on his sunglasses. “Be nice.”
“I always am.”
Lexi followed Angie inside, into a soaring open foyer. Off to one side was a formal dining room, and on the other side there seemed to be a study. Straight ahead was a wide corridor, leading them to the back of the house. At the end of the hall, the space opened up into a great room with a gourmet kitchen to the right, with pale gray cabinetry, white marble countertops and a beautiful glass mosaic backsplash in a muted color scheme. On the left was a living room with the largest sectional sofa and entertainment center Lexi had ever seen. Everything about this house was like Jack—the furniture was big, the ceilings were tall, but the casual elegance of the decor put a person at ease right away.
“Come on and get a load of the pool.” Angie led the way to the windows, which overlooked an expansive patio area and large pool with waterfalls, natural clusters of stone, and even a waterslide. It was a true oasis, but it was also a place to play and have fun.
Lexi didn’t pin any of Jack’s worth on his financial status, but there was still a part of her that wanted her dad to see all of this. It might change his mind. “It’s beautiful,” she said to Angie.
The other woman nodded. “My brother put his heart and soul into this house. But he does that with everything.”
“You two are close, aren’t you? You’d have to be to move to a new town and start over, just so you could be in the same place.”
Angie leaned against the wood frame between windows. “It was a little more than that. Not sure if Jack told you, but I just went through a divorce. I feel a little pathetic since I’m only twenty-nine. I figured I’d at least get to thirty before my life started falling apart.”
Lexi’s heart went out to Jack’s sister. She understood everything Angie was saying. “I was married for fifteen years before my husband dumped me. That’s a lot of time, and it’s hard not to feel like I wasted it by being with the wrong person.”
“Did you have kids?” Angie asked.
