She Attends A Friend’s Family BBQ, Not Knowing The Guest Across The Table Is A Billionaire In Love
The Unexpected Encounter
Rehea Summers didn’t expect her entire life to shift over a plate of grilled corn and backyard chatter. But that’s exactly what happened the moment she sat across from the man with the impossible eyes.
“This is so not my scene,” she muttered under her breath.
She was clutching a sweating glass of lemonade as laughter and the scent of barbecue floated through the air. Her best friend Shayla had invited her to her cousin’s family BBQ, insisting it would be casual and chill.
Instead, Rehea found herself standing in a perfectly manicured backyard in Westchester. She was surrounded by people who looked like they stepped out of a J. Crew catalog.
“You’re literally wearing jeans and sneakers,” Shayla teased beside her.
“You fit in. I’m the only person here who didn’t arrive in Alexis,” Rehea countered, eyeing the rows of luxury cars lining the driveway.
Shayla rolled her eyes.
“Relax, everyone’s nice. Come on, I want you to meet someone.”
Before Rehea could protest, Shayla tugged her toward the long outdoor dining table. Some cousins were already seated, laughing over drinks and tossing chips into each other’s mouths.
Her eyes landed on one man in particular. He was leaned back in his chair, forearm resting on the table, a bottle of beer in his hand.
His dark hair was slightly tousled, like he didn’t care how perfect he looked, and his jawline could cut glass.
“This is my friend Rehea,” Shayla said, gesturing with a grin.
“And that’s Quentyn.”
The man looked up and locked eyes with Rehea. Something stopped. It wasn’t in a dramatic movie way where music swells and lightning strikes.
It was in a quiet way, like the air between them had shifted. His expression didn’t change much, but his gaze lingered just a second too long.
“Hey,” he said simply, his voice low and smooth.
“Hi,” Ryer replied, trying very hard not to stare.
She sat down across from him. She was feeling awkward and weirdly aware of how much she suddenly cared about the state of her hair.
Quentyn didn’t say much at first, letting Shayla and the others carry the conversation. But every now and then, she caught him watching her. It wasn’t in a creepy way; he just seemed curious.
“So, Rehea?” Quentyn asked after a while.
“What do you do?”
“I’m a dance teacher,” she said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“Mostly kids, some adults. It’s messy, chaotic, and I love it.”
“That fits,” Quentyn said with a small smile.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’ve got energy, like the kind that fills a room.”
Rehea blinked.
“That’s either a compliment or a subtle way of calling me loud.”
“Definitely a compliment,” he laughed.
She was surprised at how easy it was to talk to him. He didn’t say much about himself, only that he worked in investments.
She mentally translated that to something boring with spreadsheets. But he listened, really listened. He was funny in a dry, blink-and-you-miss-it kind of way that made her laugh more than she expected.
As the sun dipped lower, string lights flickered on, casting everything in a soft golden glow. Music started playing from a speaker.
Someone handed Quentyn a pair of tongs to flip burgers. He gave a reluctant shrug and stepped up to the grill.
“So who is that guy?” Rehea asked Shayla quietly, watching Quentyn from the corner of her eye.
“Quentyn?” Shayla grinned.
“He’s my cousin’s friend. Super private, works a ton, no girlfriend, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“I wasn’t asking,” Rehea said too quickly.
Shayla snorted.
“Sure.”
But it wasn’t just attraction; there was something about him that felt different. He seemed steady and grounded. She didn’t know why, but she wanted to know more.
Later, as the night slowed and people began to leave, Quentyn found her leaning against the fence sipping another lemonade.
“You survived the Summer’s family chaos,” he said, stopping beside her.
“Barely.”
“You going to let me take you to dinner sometime?” he asked casually, like he was asking what the weather was tomorrow.
She blinked.
“I thought you worked all the time.”
“I do.”
“But I’d make time for you.”
Her stomach flipped.
“You don’t even know me.”
“I know enough,” he said, eyes locked on hers.
“You’re smart, honest, and you didn’t pretend to be impressed when I said I worked in investments.”
She laughed.
“Is that a common issue?”
“More than you’d think.”
She looked at him for a long moment. Everything about him screamed calm, confident, and in control.
But the way he was looking at her now wasn’t smooth or practiced; it was real.
“I’ll think about it,” she said teasingly.
He nodded, but there was a gleam in his eyes.
“I’ll be waiting.”
