Twins For My Bestie’s Brother (Billionaire Daddies)

22. Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Jackson

I ’m not able to enjoy the slopes as much as I’d like to, totally distracted by the thought of Lily back at the resort. I know she insisted I go skiing with Danforth, but that doesn’t mean I can just turn off my concerns. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Lily with so much as a cold, let alone inexplicable dizziness.

However, she was right to insist I spend time with him because after our final run, Danforth says, “I guess it is time we talk business.”

We head back inside to the coffee bar. I’d like to insist we go check on Lily, but I don’t want to make any more of a scene than I have. Danforth is an amenable guy, sure. However, anyone with money ends up with a bit of a short temper when it comes to business matters. And though my net worth is impressive to most of the world, it’s incomparable to Danforth’s.

I can do a coffee.

After all our outerwear is taken by some very excitable hotel employees, we settle in at the corner of a bar with a view of the mountains. Danforth orders us two Irish coffees without consulting me. It’s only three in the afternoon. I suppose it’s five o’clock somewhere, but we’re on ski time. It’s similar to island time which means it’s never too early for a drink, especially after exerting so much energy on the slopes.

“I’ve been looking for the right partner for my next venture,” Danforth explains, swiping a finger through the whipped cream on his Irish coffee before taking his time licking it off. “I’ve been really interested in expanding outside of the hotel sphere. You know, hospitality offshoots.”

I nod, remaining silent. I’ve prepared myself to disappoint Danforth by coming up here. It has to be the exact right opportunity if I’m going to get wrapped up in anything new. I want to give all my attention to my relationships. To Lily, to Kayla, to . . . settling down. That’s going to take time and energy. I want to get it right.

“So, I’ve been dabbling in the travel sector. Not so much hospitality, but adventure. Expedition.”

Oh, shit. I didn’t expect something like this. “You mean like tours?”

“Yes, but not walking tours or cruises or any of that,” Danforth says with a grimace. “I’ve done all of that before. It’s all—there’s no soul in it.”

I smirk. “You’re looking for business opportunities with soul now?”

Danforth blushes. Actually. I’ve never seen this man blush. “I think . . . well, it’s cliché, but I feel alive again. Carina’s brought that out of me.”

I bite my tongue. Peter Pan syndrome is common among men like us. However, I like Danforth enough, and from the brief time I’ve spent with him and his new wife, it’s clear there is a very mutual love there. Even if it’s clear how much she likes his money. As long as she likes other things too.

“And this—all this !” Danforth gestures at the overly luxe coffee bar, the mountains, the grandness of it all. “It’s wonderful. It’s given me freedom. And now I want to do something new. And I think you’re the guy to do it with me.”

I take a sip of my Irish coffee. It barely tastes like there’s alcohol in it. Dangerous.

“You know, big adventures. Scuba excursions and mountain climbing. Everest basecamp. Kilimanjaro.”

“My interest is piqued . . . ” That’s not a lie.

“I knew it would be what with all your physical prowess. You know, I remember when I met you, and you were just building your fortune . . . always onto the next adventure. You see the world a lot differently than I do. Me, I’m happy to sit at home and watch a documentary, but Carina’s keeping me young, and what’s the point of having all the money if you don’t go out and see the world.”

I chuckle. “Says the man with hotels on every continent and in every major city.”

“It’s different,” Danforth says. “You know it is.”

“I’ll give you that.”

“All that is to say, if we partner up, I’ll take care of the backend. Hell, I’ll front most of the capital and give you a solid stake. But you can have creative rein to plan and go wild with the kind of experiences we could provide. We can start right here in Banff.”

I smile to myself. “Huh. That does sound interesting . . . ”

Danforth points toward my curled lips. “You like the idea! I know you do.”

I really don’t want to like it. But I do. I wouldn’t be having to sit in meetings and look at numbers. Sure, I’m good at those things, but they don’t mean anything to me. Being out in the world, being physical, discovering and exploring and pushing yourself to the limit. Those are things I like. Always have. I see it now. Cycling across Tuscany, canoeing the Boundary Waters, cross-country ski trips . . .

With Lily. Of course. With her at my side. I can not only give her the world but show it to her. She deserves that after all those years in Seattle, cooped up and attached to a man who had no idea how to take care of her. “I have a few questions, of course,” I say, though the excitement is hard to hide from my expression.

Danforth’s eyes twinkle. “I’m ready when you are.”

We talk over our Irish coffees, my body, face, and brain growing warm from the whisky and the anticipation of what’s to come of our potential venture.

It’s not until Carina wafts over that all my worries about Lily return.

“I was wondering where you two were,” Carina says. She puts her hand on Danforth’s shoulder.

“Ah, my love, how was your afternoon? Is Lily with you?” He takes her hand and kisses it firmly.

Carina smiles lightly and looks over at me. “She’s resting upstairs.”

That doesn’t do anything for my worry. I clear my throat and push myself to stand. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to check on her.”

“Of course!” Danforth says. “You know, I could use something to eat. Why don’t we meet in the Nexus?”

The Nexus is the main restaurant of The Zenith. All the restaurants and amenities have names like this. A little poetic and absolutely meaningless.

“And if Lily’s feeling better, have her join us.”

“Of course,” I say, giving Danforth a smile. I then look to Carina to ask her some more questions about Lily, but she’s avoiding eye contact and frankly, I’d feel better to see Lily’s condition with my own eyes. So, I head upstairs.

When I get to our suite, I go right to the bedroom, expecting to see Lily bundled under the covers. However, the bed is made and she’s nowhere to be seen.

“Lil?” I call out.

There’s water running in the ensuite bathroom. Perhaps she’s taking a bath.

I go to the bathroom door and knock. “Lily? You in there?”

Nothing. Now I’m worried. What if she got in the tub and then passed out? What if she’s drowned? I’m not usually one to catastrophize, but I can’t help it. I grab the door handle. “I’m coming in!” I say urgently and start to push the door open.

However, it only opens a few inches before there’s resistance behind the door, preventing it from being opened all the way. Lily’s face pops into view. “Jackson! You’re already back! How was skiing?”

I blink at her. Her shoulders are bare and she’s wrapped in a towel. “Fine. How are you feeling? Carina told me you came upstairs to rest and—”

“Much better, I took a nap, and now I’m going to take a long bath,” Lily’s smile feels forced. She’s trying to keep me from worrying, which is an impossibility.

I glance back at the perfectly made bed. “You napped?”

“On the couch. Just walked in and collapsed. Don’t know what it is. I think the traveling really got to me or . . . I don’t know,” she rambles.

I frown. “You sure you’re feeling okay?”

Lily’s brows raise. “Yes! Better. Much.”

“Okay. Um . . . Danforth and I were going to get something to eat, but do you want me to join you instead?”

“No!” she yelps.

I almost step back from the force of her response. “Okay . . . ”

“I mean. No, you have to—you and Danforth! That’s why you’re here. Right?”

“Why are you acting weird, Lily?”

Her smile disappears. “I’m not.”

“Yeah, you are.”

Lily’s face softens. “I just don’t want to be a burden to you, Jackson.”

“You’re not a—“

She places a hand on my chest. “Go and enjoy. I’ll check in later and join you, okay?”

I want to push back more, but I know not to push women too much when they want their alone time. It’s just . . . Lily hasn’t wanted that from me since we got together. The tides are changing, and I’m not ready. Not yet. “Okay.”

She gives me a peck on the lips. “Don’t worry about me.”

“Impossible,” I say with a hesitant smile.

She laughs and pushes me back slightly before closing the door in my face.

What the fuck is going on? Now I’m worried about her and frustrated that she’s not letting me help or letting me in on what she’s feeling. I thought we were closer than that. We love each other, for God’s sake. What is there to hide?

I wander back through the suite, trying to will myself to leave. Fuck it. I’m on ski time. I snag a miniature bottle of whisky from the stocked refrigerator and knock it back like a shot, then head down to meet Danforth at the Nexus.

If I can’t be the man I want to be and take care of my girl, I’m going to have a good time.