A Family For The Billionaire ✅

Epilouge

Aubrey watched the men approach, her mouth dry and her heart pounding. Her hands shook as she tried to maneuver the hot pan of food into the empty slot on the steam table.

They sure looked chummy.

Not that she wanted Manuel to be angry at Aston. She'd deliberately told no one except her sisters about the break up because the responsibility was hers. Aston has to her, warned her  in many ways that he wasn't built for family or forever. She'd chosen to listen to her heart, instead. And she'd paid the price.

Now, part of her felt violated that he was here, in her space, her territory. Not that she owned the mission. The feeling was ridiculous. But it was there, nonetheless.

She also needed to face the fact that she might be seeing a lot of Aston during the upcoming construction. Or maybe not. Certainly if he returned to his normal way of conducting business, it wording be a problem.

He'd just put someone in charge and go on his way. But she never would have imagined him coming to the mission of his own accord, so anything was possible. And something in his expression told her that he es going to choose a hands-off approach.

"Aubrey," Manuel stated, "Aston brought delightful news today."

Her smile felt unnatural, like hard plastic. But it was better than crying.

In contrast, Manuel looked ecstatic. "We're not getting just one new dormitory, but two."

Shock rippled through her. "Excuse me?"

"Aston his meek is donating the cost of a new women's dorm—in full. We will be able to provide better accommodations and then the original housing into small private rooms so families can stay together while they're with us."

"Um..." Speechless didn't begin to touch it. This was a dream she and Manuel had discussed for several years but they'd figured it was forever out of reach.

"And he wants you to work with him on it."

Whoa. What? "I do events, not buildings."

"But you know more than anyone what these women need," Manuel pointed out. "You could offer great insight into planning and utilization of the space to meet those needs."

Why wasn't Aston saying anything?

"You two talk about it. Then come see me." Manuel laid a hand on Aubrey's arm and gave her the same comforting smile he'd been offering since she first walked through the door at fifteen. "Just consider it."

Aubrey forced herself to tell the woman working next to her that she needed to take a break. Then she stripped off her gloves and headed out the back door to the small lawn where Manuel maintainer his beloved rose bushes. Aston could follow if he wanted.

Her thoughts whirled ninety to nothing. When's he couldn't stand the chaos anymore, she turned on him.

"Seriously? What is this? Some kind of ploy?"

"Actually, it's an apology."

Surprise left Aubrey speechless for a moment. There'd been way too much that left her speechless today. She crossed her arms under their breasts and summoned the firm tone she used when the boys in the afterschool programs decided to act the fool. "Explain."

"It's an apology from me to Manuel....and to you. And a decision my father will hate—so it's a win-win."

She raised a brow, completely uninterested in talking about Vincent Jones.

Aston stepped closer. Aubrey was glad she had her arms crossed in front of her. It lessened the temptation to reach out and touch him. "It's an apology for acting out of greed."