Hollywood Heir (Westerly Billionaire #4)(70)

“You’re welcome to try.”

As they started back down the street that would lead to where he had parked his car, he felt lighter and—happy. Truly happy for the first time in a long, long time. He told her about his conversation with Delinda and why he’d asked her to help him. “Are you okay with seeing her again?”

“She apologized. We’re good.” She paused and pulled him to a stop. “She invited my mother to tea. Why do you think she’d do that?”

Eric groaned. “I told Delinda a little about your mother. She feels that your mother would benefit from speaking with her. Since she knows I care about you, and that I intend to make you part of my family, it might be to tell your mother how to behave.”

“Part of your family,” Sage said in a dreamy voice.

“Don’t get too excited. You haven’t met them yet,” Eric joked, then turned serious with his next point. “Do you want me to call Delinda off?”

Sage didn’t take long to ponder that. “No. No. My mother could benefit from that talk.” She shot him a guilty smile. “That’s not wrong, is it?”

“Not at all.” He shook his head and chuckled. “And you’re going to fit in just fine.”





Chapter Eighteen

The next evening, in a simple knee-length blue linen dress, Sage pulled up to Eric’s long front driveway in Bella’s car. “I hope they like me.”

Bella parked behind a Bentley. “They will love you. And since when do you worry about what anyone else thinks?”

Sage clasped her small purse on her lap. “He saw forever, too, Bella. This is big. If they ask me about what I do—should I tell them? Or should I let them get to know me first?”

“Want my opinion?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“I think that house is full of people who are more worried what you’ll think of them than what they’ll think of you. From what you’ve told me, this is a big night for them as well. They want to be part of his life, and they’re the ones on trial, not you. Even if a riot breaks out in there, something tells me you and Eric will be in a coffee shop tomorrow laughing over who threw the first punch. You want his family to love you? Do what you do best. And don’t be embarrassed about it—Eric needs you. His family needs you. Go in there and just be yourself—because you’re pretty fucking wonderful.”

Sage hugged Bella. “I am.”

“You are,” Bella said with laugh.

Sage threw open her door and made Bella’s words into an affirmation. “I am fucking wonderful.”

Reggie surprised her by being right there. “Maybe tone that shit down a little. It’s your choice, of course. Just offering a bit of advice.”

“Reggie, stop teasing her,” Alice said, at his side. “Hi, Sage. You look beautiful.” Bella came around the car to join them. “You, too, Bella. Love that pantsuit.”

Sage looked up at the house. “Is everyone here?”

Reggie shook his head. “Nicolette canceled at the last minute. Something about a photo shoot she couldn’t reschedule.”

Alice leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Eric was disappointed, but he doesn’t want to talk about it. So . . .”

“I won’t ask,” Sage assured her. “How has it been having everyone staying here?”

“Busy,” Alice said, “but good. They’re different than I imagined. More down-to-earth. And they seem to really want to reconnect with Eric. It’s kind of sad and beautiful at the same time. I hope we see more of them after this weekend.”

Bella shot Sage a “told you so” look.

Eric appeared at the door, wearing a dress shirt and dark trousers. The scene belonged on the big screen. Did he have any idea how truly handsome he was? “You came,” he said as if he hadn’t been sure she would show. He rushed down the steps and greeted Sage and Bella each with a kiss on the cheek.

“I told you I would.”

“I know. I just—” He shook his head, held out his hand to her, and laced his fingers through hers.

He really does need me.

She went up on her tiptoes and kissed his lips impulsively, tugging him down so she could say something softly into his ear. “It’ll be fine.”

“Stay tonight.” He kissed her then—a deep, soul-searching kiss full of promises and hunger. “What was I thinking leaving you at your door last night? I spent all night kicking myself for saying we should wait. You’re all I think about.”

“We can all hear you.” Reggie cleared his throat. “Let’s tone that down as well. I’ve got kids in there.”

Alice linked one arm through Reggie’s and her other through Bella’s. “Come on. They need a moment. We’ll see you inside.”

Once they were alone, Sage searched Eric’s face. He was so serious, so earnest, she wanted to bring a smile back to his face. “I don’t think I’m strong enough to carry you off, though I could definitely pull you into those bushes.” She winked. “But I like your plan better.”

He laughed, then sobered again. “Sex never meant much to me. It felt good, but I didn’t care who it was with. I never asked myself if I was good enough to be with them, because I didn’t look that far outside of myself. You met me while I was working on figuring myself out. There are still parts of my life that are under renovation. You’ll see what I’m talking about as soon as you step inside.”