Reunion With The Billionaire Best Friend (BBW Contemporary Romance) by Ava May

Reunion with the Billionaire Best Friend
     
    Chapter 1
    “You know, I really don't want to go to this party tonight,” Amelia said, tightening the apron around her. She exhaled deeply and pulled the strands behind her buxom frame. Her blonde hair was tied into a ponytail, and she looked tired after a long day at work. She leaned against the bar of the cafe and looked out at the late afternoon crowd. Things had died down after the morning rush, and there were only the regulars remaining. There was Tom, the writer, who was looking out of the window, searching for inspiration. Dawn and Sophia were chattering together, sisters who were passing on a lifetime of gossip, and Don, a mysterious older gentleman who was always rather coy about his past. It wouldn't be long now until the sun set and Amelia would have to light the candles on the wooden tables, ready for the evening crowd to come in where they could enjoy a romantic atmosphere.
    It made her sick.
    “You should come,” Lisa said. The two girls were roommates and co-workers, and shared every aspect of their life with each other. Lisa was more petite than Amelia, but she was more outgoing as well, and the two formed a formidable partnership.
    “I know I should come but I don't want to. Parties aren't my style. We have to face facts—the college days are over and we're just too old now,” Amelia said, idly wiping the bar with a rag.
    “That's not the attitude to have! All we seem to do now is work. We never have fun anymore,” Lisa lamented.
    “What? Hanging out with me isn't fun?” Amelia said, straightening her back and looking offended. Lisa rolled her eyes and tapped her hands against the bar.
    “You know that's not what I meant. We just need some excitement in our lives, and we never get invited to parties anymore. We should just go. You never know what might happen. We could actually meet someone.”
    “Yeah, because that's always worked out well for us. Oh, God, you don't think Aaron is going to be there do you?”
    “Who cares? That was years ago.”
    “Yeah, but whenever we cross each others' paths, he always looks at me with this really slimy smile. It freaks me out.”
    “Well, I don't want to just sit inside for another night. I want to actually feel like I'm doing something with my life.” As Lisa spoke she tilted her head back and made a pained expression, holding her palms into the air as if she were cursing her fates to a omniscient god.
    “We are doing stuff with our lives,” Amelia protested . “We're saving up to go traveling, you've got your fashion blog … why are you in such a rush? We're still young, we've got plenty of time left in our lives.”
    “No, we don’t. Everyone else has already made something of themselves and we're being left behind. This is supposed to be the time of our lives and we're stuck here!”
    Her voice was a little louder than she wanted, and the customers turned to look at her. Lisa looked embarrassed. Amelia leaned in closer and spoke in a low voice.
    “I get that you're frustrated, but that's just the way the world is. I can't do anything about that. All we can do is try and make something of ourselves, but it takes time and hard work. If it means that much to you, then I'll go to the party, but don't think it'll change anything. It's just one party.”
    “You know who's going to be there, don't you?”
    “The usual crowd, I expect,” Amelia said flatly. Lisa's eyes twinkled though, and she smiled wickedly.
    “Jack is going to be there.”
    And with that, Amelia paused. Could it be true? She looked at Lisa.
    “Are you serious?” she asked, her heart beating rapidly in her chest. Lisa nodded.
    “He's flying in. I think he's got some family affair or something, so Marty invited him along.”
    “Wow, that's something,” Amelia said, and her thoughts turned to her old friend. For most of her life, Marty had been her best friend. They had been next door neighbors and paired together all through