The Billionaire Playboy's Regret (Lark and Max) novel Chapter 60

Dinner went by without too much calamity, despite Olivier glowering at Santiago Laredo and Prue occasionally taking cheap shots at Sawyer.

Ollie was uncharacteristically quiet, Max was flirting up a storm, and the triplets were supporting Fallon by constantly pointing out men in the restaurant beyond their private room she could probably hook up with and her parents not even realize since they were both stuck on the new girl. Needless to say, Everly wasn’t impressed with the triplet’s behavior and Bobbie was running interference.

Sawyer and Gracie appeared to be quite overwhelmed by the overall madness and by the time dinner was done, they were clearly ready to go home and process the craziness of the evening.

Lark pulled Gracie by the hand, “hey, can I talk to you a minute before you head out?”

“Sure.” Gracie nodded at her father as followed Lark to a quiet section away from the crowd.

“How are you holding up?”

“They are a lot,” Gracie whispered. “It’s always only ever been me and Dad and occasionally my maternal grandfather.”

“I’d like to say you get used to it, but you don’t. The Villeneuves are wild, but they are our ride or dies. Ollie and Max would do anything for me, and the triplets and Fallon are the same.”

“It’s nice, I bet.”

“It is. Johan is great.” She watched the girl look at her feet and laughed, “he’s my best friend since middle school. He joined our sleepovers and chaos when we were growing up. I’ve been thrown together into everything including being arrested with him and honestly, he’s been the friend who commiserates with me when the twins are too much. We can talk for days about everything.”

“Right.”

“But he’s my friend, Gracie. Never, not once did he and I ever consider anything more than friends.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“You saw me kiss his cheek earlier and you don’t have a very good poker face.” She laughed when Gracie sheepishly looked away, “I’m biased because he’s my friend, but he is a good man. I know you have a lot on your plate right now getting to know us all but if you need someone to talk to, he’s a good one to talk to. He’s a great listener.”

“Lark, I,” she took a breath, “I don’t believe men and women can simply be friends. I’ve been cheated on in exactly this situation. I don’t think it works.”

“I’m sorry you were hurt like this, but you could miss on an incredible opportunity. I saw the way you looked at him. You find him attractive. It’s a good thing. Also, you’re being close minded, and you should open your point of view. Johan and I are friends. The same way LJ and Ronnie are Fallon’s friends. My Dad and Bobbie Villeneuve are closer than siblings. None of us would ever cross lines.” Lark watched the confusion on her newfound sister’s face. “Look, I know I come across too blunt. They razzed me about how blunt I can be last weekend when I ripped a girl apart so I’m probably not doing this right but, I’m not trying to do anything but reassure you, Johan and I are only friends. Just think about it. Okay?” “Sure.” Gracie didn’t seem convinced.

“Good. Also,” she held her phone out, “can you give me your number? I think it would be nice if we could chat. I would very much like to get to know you more. I feel like with everyone here tonight, we didn’t connect as well as we could have. Maybe we could have coffee, you, me, and Fallon?”

“I’d like that.”

“Hey Lark!” Johan called out, “did you tell your Mom yet how Max has been sleeping in your room instead of his own?”

“Who hurt you?” she hissed at him as he bounded up to them while her mom wheeled around to look at her with wide eyes.

“Hey Gracie, are you giving out your number? Can I have it?”

“Are you six?” Lark growled angrily at his lack of tact.

“More nine,” he wiggled his eyebrows at Gracie, “inches.”

Gracie gasped and Lark punched him.

“What is your deal?”

“My deal is, Max told me not to make his mistakes. He said not speaking his mind and confessing affection to you meant he lost out on too many years. So, I’m being brave and bold. Gracie, can I have your number so I can flirt with you and see where this thing goes? I asked Sawyer if you were single, and he said yet. Then he said if I hurt you, he’ll kill me with his bare hands. I promised him all I want to do is make you feel good.”

“Johan? You just walked up to my newfound sister and declared you’re packing nine inches when everyone knows it’s not true. Don’t forget we saw you in your speedos in middle school on swim team and we made fun of you. If she has any common sense, she’ll run for the hills.” Lark mocked him and tried to help Gracie who was clearly freaking out.

“I’m simply saying, her father said her last boyfriend was a small-peckered meathead who didn’t deserve to even breathe her air, so I wanted her to know I’m not small-peckered.” He stepped closer to Gracie, “he also said you deserve to smile and have all the happiness of the world. Help me not make the same mistakes my two best friends did by keeping their attraction a secret. Am I wrong? Do you feel this too?”

Gracie bit her lips together her cheeks bright red and then she whispered, “if it’s not really nine, I’ll be pissed. Starting something off on a lie is no way to start.”

Lark gave a happy shout. “Welcome to the dark side, Gracie.” She stepped up to Johan, “she’s, my sister. Chicks before d***s and all that. I’ll murder you where you sleep if she gets hurt by my best friend.”

“You sure you two never,” Gracie asked trailing her words off as she wiggled her fingers between them.

Johan laughed, “truthfully, I’d rather sleep with Max than Lark. She’s very judgy. I bet when Max finally hits it, she gives him a report card.” He draped an arm over Gracie’s shoulder and walked her away from Lark. “So, tell me, what’s your favorite kind of food. We can go for dinner this week.”

“Is Johan putting the moves on Gracie,” Ollie came up behind Lark.

“Yes.”

“Weird.”