just you.”
The Billionaire’s Sudden Bride
Chapter 20: Your Boyfriend Looks Amazing
Summer’s POV
His words hung in the air between us, making my heart skip several beats. It’s just you. The weight of those three simple words seemed to fill the entire car, and I found myself staring out the window, desperately trying to collect my thoughts.
The soft purr of Brandon’s Bentley
entley faded to background noise as we drove through familiar Manhattan streets.
“Mr. Stark, I said, desperate to break the loaded silence, “did you ever visit the food streets near Columbia when you were a student?” The question came out more abrupt than I’d intended, but anything was better than sitting here hypermware of his presence.
He turned those dark eyes on me, one perfect eyebrow arching slightly, “Skipping classes?”
“What? No!” Heat flooded my cheeks as I rushed to explain. “We always went after classes! I would never-” I cut myself off, realizing I was only making it worse. Great job, Summer. Really selling that responsible student image.
The corner of his mouth lifted in that infuriating half–smile that never failed to make my pulse skip. He looked different here, away from the cut–throat atmosphere of Wall Street more relaxed, almost playful. Stop noticing things like that.
–
When we reached Columbia’s campus, he started to say, “You can go ahead while I park—”
“No!” I interrupted, then quickly modulated my tone. I mean, you might not know where to go. You should just drive in.”
He studied me for
a moment, then nodded. Something about the way he looked at me made my skin prickle with awareness. Focus on giving directions. Left turn, right turn, parking spot. Simple.
I waited under a towering ginkgo tree while he parked, absently tapping my foot against the pavement. The late afternoon sun filtered through the leaves. casting dancing shadows on the ground. When I looked up, I found Brandon watching me with an expression I couldn’t quite read.
“This way!” I called, trying to ignore how my voice wanted to shake under his intense gaze.
He approached with that fluid grace that seemed to come so naturally to him. “Would you like a tour?”
ishook my head quickly. “Maybe another time. Let’s get food while it’s still quiet once classes let out, the lines get crazy.”
- s. the
The streets around Columbia hadn’t changed much since my student days. The same mix of trendy cafes and hole–in–the wall gems lined the sidewalks, air rich with competing food aromas. I led Brandon to my favorite spot, a tiny place that always had a line during peak hours.
“Oh! Someone’s leaving!” Without thinking. I grabbed Brandon’s hand to pull him toward the newly vacant table. His fingers were warm against mine, and something about the contact sent electricity dancing up my arm. When i realized what I’d done, I quickly dropped his hand, heat creeping up my neck.
He didn’t move to sit, and I suddenly worried he was having second thoughts about the decidedly un–Wall Street atmosphere. Is something wrong?”
“No.” But he still didn’t sit.
Oh god, he probably thinks it’s dirty. I grabbed some napkins and carefully wiped down the chair. “There! All clean now, Mr. Stark.”
The look he gave me made my breath catch–something between amusement and something darker that I didn’t dare analyze. Stop imagining things.
“We can go somewhere else,” I offered quickly. “There’s a nice restaurant just-
He sat down before I could finish, that half–smile playing at his lips. “This is perfect.”
“Summer!” The owner’s enthusiastic voice made me jump. “Long time no seel Her eyes darted between Brandon and me, a knowing smile spreading across her face. “And whos this? Your boyfriend?
“No, he’s—“1 started to explain, but Brandon smoothly cut me off by handing me a imenu
“Shall we order? His voice was perfectly casual, but something in his eyes made my pulse skip.
I accepted the menu gratefully, though the familiar text blurted before my eyes. “Um, their cheese steak sandwich is famous. It’s a student favorite.”
“What do you usually get?” The gentle interest in his voice made something wurm unfurl in my chest.
1/2
Chapter 20. Your Boyfriend Looks
Amazing
“The cheese steak, actually.” I couldn’t help smiling at the memories. They slice the beef fresh, and their secret cheese sauce is amazing. I missed it so much when I was in Europe.”
Brandon turned to the owner, his deep voice carrying that natural authority that probably made Wall Street titans weak in the knees. “Two cheese steak sandwiches.” His eyes found mine again. “Drinks?”
Their herbal tea is really nice… I trailed off, suddenly remembering who I was talking to. He probably thinks I’m crazy, suggesting street food tea to Brandon
Bark
“Two herbal teas, please.” He didn’t even hesitate.
The owner beamed. “Coming right up!” She threw me not–so–subtle wink as she turned away.
I could hear the w
whispers from nearby tables, mostly from female students:
“Oh my god, look at him!”
“He’s even hotter than those Hollywood stars…”
I tried to focus on arranging my napkin, but I couldn’t help stealing glances at Brandon. They’re not wrong, my traitorous mind supplied. In this setting away from the sterile perfection of Wall Street, he looked even more striking – like a lion who’d decided to grace a local cafe with his presence.
“See something you like?” His voice carried just a hint of teasing.
Hrat flooded my cheeks. “Mr. Stark is being very conceited!”
“Confident.” he corrected, dark eyes glinting with amusement. “Didn’t you hear their assessment?”
“They’re just… dazzled by appearances. Like I apparently am. Stop it.
The owner returned with our lood, giving Brendon another appreciative lock. “Your boyfriend is so handsome!”
“Thank you.” His response was smooth and natural, making my heart do a complicated flip.
I stared at my sandwich, which was easily twice the normal size and everflowing with beef. “This is excessive.”
Brandon dabbed his lips with a rapkin, the gesture somehow elegant even in this casual setting. “Is something wrong?” “The portions are never this big normally.” I couldn’t help laughing. “Apparently good looks do buy special treatment.” His vyes caught mine, dancing with barely suppressed sirth. “Miss Taylor, was that a compliment?
“I was commenting on the restaurant’s double standards! I protested, realizing too late
What I’d implied,
“So you agree that I’m…” He paused deliberately. “Handsome?”
