Battle for Love (Bachelor Billionaire #3) by Sharon Cummin Page A

at what Gavin
was saying.
    “ What's
wrong with him? Usually, I want to move to a different part of the
plane or do something to shut him up. Did you say anything?”
Becky asked.
    “ I
asked him what was going on. He wasn't even focused during the
meeting. It was like he couldn't keep his thoughts in line. He said
it's nothing and that I don't know what I'm talking about. I was just
curious if you guys had noticed anything different?”
    “ I
haven't seen anything different. He's still a cocky ass to me. I
really haven't seen much of him lately,” Julie said.
    “ I
think it's because of a woman,” Gavin said. “I know that
sounds crazy. He denied it completely. I told him I'm going to figure
out what or who it is. He just kept telling me how wrong I was. I'm
telling you, there's something going on. I can't believe I'm saying
this, but I think some woman is bringing him to his knees. He's never
acted like this before.”
    “ If
there is, which I doubt, I can't wait to meet her,” Becky said
laughing.
    “ I
agree with you. There's no way anyone is going to change Ethan,”
Julie said.
    Gavin
went back to telling Becky about the deal they closed during the
meeting. Julie couldn't get her mind off of their conversation about
Ethan. Would he ever change? She couldn't believe she was even
thinking about it. No, he would never be anything but a player. His
world revolved only around him. There would never be room for anyone
else in it.
    Julie
stood up to leave. She hugged Becky and Gavin before she picked her
phone up from the counter she tossed it on.
    “ Next
Sunday, Josh is having a little dinner for Lisa at the restaurant by
their place. She didn't want a baby shower, but he wanted her to have
something small with the girls. Be there at noon with a small
present. He said it has to be under twenty dollars. If you want to
come by here, I will drop you and Becky off together,” Gavin
said.
    “ I'll
just drive myself. It's out of the way to come here first. That way,
you and Becky can go do something after if you want. I'll see you two
then.”
    There
was no way Julie wanted to be stuck somewhere without a way to leave.
On the way home, Julie went by the baby store to get a present for
Lisa. She wanted to make sure she got it while she had the time. It
seemed like now that some of the guys were settling down, there were
more dinners and parties going on. She liked seeing Gavin and Josh in
love with their women. They seemed so happy. The fairytale dream
ended for her a long time ago. Were there really good men in the
world like Gavin and Josh, she asked herself?
    Julie
walked around the baby store. There were women putting in for gift
registries and men walking beside some of them. Little babies were
being pushed in carts through the store. She looked around and
thought about herself. Would she ever feel different about men? Would
she ever be able to trust one enough to let her guard down? Would she
ever have a family of her own? Julie felt a tear run from the corner
of her eye. She hurried to wipe it off and snap herself out of her
thoughts.
    Being
a pediatrician, she found herself judging many of the items in the
store. Was it dangerous? Was it educational? Julie burst into
laughter. Make a decision, she told herself.
    When
she was finished shopping, she picked up a coffee on her way home. It
was time to relax. She spent too much time thinking about Ethan, men,
and families for the day. It was time for a long bath and a book. She
carried her bag and coffee up her front steps. When she went to set
her coffee on her little table on the porch, it wasn't in its usual
spot. Maybe she had moved it the last time she sat outside. She felt
her body grow tense and shook her head. Knock it off, she thought.
Stop letting your imagination get to you. She let herself in and
locked each lock on her front door.
    The
rest of the week went by as usual. Each day she found herself
relaxing a bit more. Everything was just