The Billionaire’s Sudden Bride
Chapter 241
Summer’s POV
Brandon’s knuckles turned white on the steering wheel as we pulled away from Stark Tower. The tension radiating off him was palpable, filling the car like a physical presence.
I reached over, gently placing my hand over his on the wheel, stroking small circles against his skin. His shoulders gradually lowered, and that dangerous energy began to dissipate.
He glanced over, his expression softening when he caught sight of my worried face.
“You’re not upset?” he asked, his voice surprisingly steady.
I let out a relieved breath. “Why would I be upset?” I smiled.
“Those things she said,” he replied, obvious concern in his voice. “I thought you’d be bothered!”
I raised an eyebrow. “What kind of person do you think I am? Why would I care what she says?” I squeezed his hand. “You’re
completely mine now, so what is there to worry about? If anyone should be concerned, it’s her.”
A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
“You know,” I continued, my tone lighthearted, “I should actually thank Elle Sinclair. I had no idea you cared about me this much
Brandon shot me a look. “Really? After everything I’ve done, you still couldn’t tell?”
He exhaled slowly. “As long as you’re not bothered, I don’t care either. Before you came into my life, these things weren’t worth my attention. But now that you’re here, I obviously can’t allow this situation to continue.” His voice grew more serious. “Just give me some time. I’ll handle it properly and give you a satisfactory resolution.”
“I’m not in a rush,” I said, studying his profile.
I understood his predicament. Elle Sinclair’s situation was awkward–protected by the Sinclair family and Jane’s influence, she’d developed this unhealthy fixation on Brandon. And Jane Sinclair was still his mother. He couldn’t cross certain lines with her, no matter how strained their relationship was.
“You don’t need to worry about my feelings,” I told him softly. “Handle things according to your own plan. This situation needs resolution eventually, but don’t put yourself in an impossible position because of me.”
Brandon nodded, a smile playing on his lips. “June.”
I looked up. Yeah? What is it?”
His eyes softened. “Having you makes everything better.”
I stared up at the restaurant sign in surprise. This tiny place near Columbia University was about the last place I’d expected Brandon to take me for dinner.
Brandon squeezed my hand. “Something wrong? You don’t like it?”
No, no, I shook my head quickly. “I’m just surprised you’d come to place like this. Ruby, Scarlett, and I used to eat here all the time during college. I haven’t been back since graduation, though.”
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Chapter 241.
I tugged him inside, the warmth immediately enveloping us. It looks exactly the same as when we were students.”
We found a quiet corner booth. The place was filling up quickly with students grabbing dinner after evening classes. Their energy and optimism were almost contagious, and I felt a pang of nostalgia for my own college days.
A harried server eventually made it to our table. I ordered without needing to look at the menu–just two main dishes and soup, remembering how enormous the portions were,
“Will that be enough?” I asked Brandon after the server left.
Brandon shook his head. “This is plenty.”
As we waited, I noticed a group of girls near the entrance staring in our direction, whispering among themselves.
“…think he’s from our school?” one asked, her voice just loud enough for us to hear.
“No way,” her friend replied. “Have you seen anyone that gorgeous at Columbia?”
“Maybe he’s a professor? Or someone from administration?”
Brandon’s eyebrow quirked up. “They think you’re beautiful,” he murmured.
I grinned. “Pretty sure they’re talking about you.” I changed the subject. “That’s weird–shouldn’t the university be on break right
now?”
“Probably soon,” Brandon replied. “It’s been so long since I was in school, I can’t remember the schedule anymore.”
“Same,” I admitted. “These days I only remember when to clock in and out of work.”
Our food arrived quickly. Brandon sanitized our utensils before handing me mine. “Eat up,” he said gently. “After this, we could take a walk. James got us movie tickets at the theater nearby.”
My eyes lit up. “So this really is a proper date night!”
“When have I ever lied to you?” Brandon asked warmly. “Now eat before it gets cold.” He placed a bite of food in my bowl. “Try it- see if it’s good.”
The food wasn’t amazing compared to our usual restaurants, but there was something comforting about it. It tasted like simpler times.
The river path near Columbia was peaceful at night. Brandon held my hand firmly, tucking it into his coat pocket to keep it warm. I had to take tiny steps to keep up with his longer stride, which probably looked ridiculous, but I didn’t care.
“Brandon,” I said softly, breaking our comfortable silence.
“Hmm?” he responded.
“By the way,” I asked, “what movie did James book tickets for?”
Brandon turned to look at me. “I’m not sure. I told him to choose something appropriate. Unless… you don’t want to see a movie?”
I bit my lip. “To be honest, I don’t think there’s anything particularly good playing right now.”
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“Then we won’t go, Brandon said decisively. “Is there somewhere else you’d like to go instead?
I shook my head. “Not really. Maybe we should still see the movie though. Seems a waste to let the tickets go unused.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Brandon said, squeezing my hand. “Let’s just walk for a while.”
He suddenly frowned. “Why are your hands still so cold?”
“Oh, that’s normal for me,” I explained. “My hands are always freezing in winter. Don’t worry about it.”
I wiggled my fingers playfully. “See? They’re warming up already.”
Brandon’s eyes traced over my coat. “You should dress warmer when we go out. This is too thin.
I pulled my hand free and gestured at my heavy wool coat. “This isn thin! I’m wearing plenty of layers. You’re the one who ditched your coat earlier. Aren’t you freezing in just that suit?”
“It got dirty,” he said simply, then added, “I’m not cold when you’re with me.”
I couldn’t help but shiver–not from cold, but from the intensity in his eyes. My cheeks flushed. “That’s ridiculous. I’m not a space
heater.”
“You’re better than any heater to me,” Brandon replied, his voice dropping to that deep register that always made my heart skip.
“Has anyone ever told you that your pickup lines are absolutely lethal?” I asked, surprised by this romantic side of him. “I don’t stand a chance when you talk like that.”
The corner of Brandon’s mouth lifted. “No one has,” he said firmly. “My sweet words are only for you. No one before, no one now, no one after.”
My heart swelled. I reached up to touch his face, stroking his cheek before playfully pinching it. “God, what am I supposed to do when you say things like that?”
Brandon caught my wandering hand, holding it against his face. The tenderness in his eyes nearly took my breath away. “I’ll say things like that every day if it makes you happy.”
