The Billionaire's Best Friend (The Sherbrookes of Newport) by Christina Tetreault

week at work. While the conversation covered a lot of territory, the topics remained superficial. Lauren never once got into the details about the day her niece was born or even if she’d come home from the hospital yet. Kevin didn’t seem to mind. While others might ask about the baby’s size or other such details, he’d been satisfied with the news that Kelly had had the baby, and Lauren didn’t offer any additional information. Especially the part when Nate came across her broken-down car and ended up spending the night, thanks to the snowstorm. An iota of guilt nagged at her for not telling Kevin about Nate, but another part insisted she not worry about it. After all, nothing had happened. Well, almost nothing. He had kissed her, but it only happened that once. And afterward she’d made it clear she wasn’t interested—or at least she tried. Nate’s tone that night made it sound as if he didn’t care if she was dating someone or not.
    I ’m not letting him back in . Once she had put all her love and trust in him and he’d up and walked out on her. Never again would she set herself up for that. Not even for Nate. So, since she planned on keeping Nathaniel Callahan at a distance, Kevin never needed to know he’d spent the night in her spare bedroom.
    “ You said you had a surprise.” Kevin’s voice invaded her thoughts.
    Looking away from the window, she studied Kevin ’s profile. What was wrong with her, anyway? She was out with a handsome, very successful executive, and she was thinking about an old high school love. So many women she knew would give anything to be right where she was now. Get your head back on straight.
    “ Callie gave me tickets for the ballet and hotel reservations for a weekend in New York City as a birthday present. It’s in two weeks. I thought we could go together.” She’d gone back and forth about inviting Kevin. They hadn’t known each other long. Maybe it was too soon for a whole weekend together in New York. But she wanted to share the experience with someone, and Kevin seemed like the logical choice.
    Thanks to the streetlights, Lauren saw the curt nod he gave her before turning into a driveway. Kevin stopped in front of the iron gate, punched in a security code, and the gate swung open. “Remind me later, and I’ll save it on my calendar.”
    Lauren smiled as Kevin drove down the winding driveway. On some level she ’d feared he would say something like we’ll see or I’ll try . During the time they’d been dating, Kevin’s calendar appeared to fill up months in advance. The ballet was right around the corner, so that didn’t give him much notice.
    “ Is this a big party tonight?”
    Kevin brought the car around one final turn and a huge Tudor-style mansion aglow with light came into view. With ease, Kevin pulled up behind another car. “For my parents, tonight’s dinner is small.”
    While an answer, it didn ’t provide Lauren with much information.
    The overhead light in the car came on when Kevin opened his door. ”My parents are looking forward to meeting you tonight.”
    Before she could offer any response, he got out and started around to her side of the car. Lauren focused on the large water fountain in front of the mansion, her stomach up somewhere in her throat much like it had been the first and only time she ’d tried skydiving. She wanted this. For weeks now, she had stewed about not meeting any of Kevin’s family while he’d met much of hers.
    Lauren shivered when the car door opened. The gown Callie gave her might be gorgeous, but it definitely wasn ’t warm enough for this cold night.
    “ Let’s get you inside where it is warm.” Kevin offered his hand.
    Kevin ’s parents were more or less just what she had expected: impeccably dressed, well groomed, and aloof. They said all the right words, asked all the right questions, but she could tell they were not hearing any of her responses. Although, she could never explain how she knew that.