The Billionaire's Sudden Bride novel Chapter 20

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 severnt 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 faded to background noise as we prove through familiar Manhattan streets.

visit the food streets near Columbia when you were a

“Mr. Stark,” I said, desperate to break the loaded silence, did you student? The question canse but more abrupt than I’d intended, hot bnything was better than sitting here hyperaware of his

presence.

He turned those dark eyes on me, one perfect eyebrens 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, Sumer. Really selling that responsible student image.

The corner of his mouth lifted in

fted 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?”

I shook my head quickly. “Maybe another time. Let’s get food while its still quiet – once classes let out, the lines get crazy.”

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, the air rich with competing food aromas. I led Sandon 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.

it, and I suddenly worried he was having second thoughts about the decidedly un–Wall Street atmosphere. “Is

He didn’t move to sit,

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.

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Chapter 20: Your Boyfriend Looks Amazing

“We can go somewhere else, follered 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 see!” Her smile spreading across her face. “And who’s this? Your boyfriend?”

eyes

darted between Brandon and me, a knowing

e me a menu.

“No, he’s I started to explain, but Brandon smoothly cut me off by handing

“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 blurred before my eyes. “Um, their cheese steak sandwich is famous. It’s a student favorite.”

varm unfurl in my chest.

“What do you usually get?” The gentle interest in his voice made something warm

“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 ten to Brandon, Stark.

Two herbal teas, please.” He didn’t even hesitaté,

The owner beamed. “Coming right up!” She threw me a not–so–subtle wink as she turned away.

I could hear the 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 lances 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.

Heat flooded my cheeks. “Mr. Stark is being very conceited!”