She Crashed A Friend’s Reunion Party, Never Guessed The Billionaire Visiting Would Soon Fall For Her
The Uninvited Guest and the Billionaire’s Smile
Lyanna Carrian wasn’t even supposed to be at the reunion party. She wasn’t part of the graduating class, didn’t go to that college, and hadn’t seen her high school friend Rachel in over a year.
Standing outside the glowing glass mansion nestled in the Los Angeles hills, wearing a dress she borrowed and heels two sizes too small, she figured, what’s the worst that could happen?
She never expected to lock eyes with the most devastatingly attractive man she’d ever seen within five minutes of walking in.
The party was already in full swing. Music thumped from hidden speakers and servers floated through the crowd holding trays of champagne.
Lyanna maneuvered through clusters of people laughing a little too loudly about shared memories she didn’t belong to.
She finally spotted Rachel near the pool, laughing with a group of women in designer gowns.
“You made it,” Rachel gasped, pulling her into a hug.
“Wait, how did you even get past the gate?”
“I told the guy I was you,” Lyanna whispered.
Rachel’s eyes widened. “You’re insane.”
Lyanna grinned. “You said I could come.”
“Maybe two months ago when I was drunk.”
“Well, I’m here now,” Lyanna said, grabbing a glass of champagne off a tray, “so I’m blending in.”
Rachel sighed but smiled. “Don’t cause a scene.”
“I never do.”
Ten minutes later, Lyanna was already regretting the shoes. She found a quiet corner near the edge of the pool and slipped them off, sighing in relief.
That’s when she saw him. He walked in like he owned the place: tall, dark hair perfectly styled, a jaw that looked like it belonged in a movie.
He wore a black suit, no tie, shirt open just enough to show a line of tan skin beneath.
People noticed him immediately, but he didn’t seem to care. He scanned the crowd once, then made his way to the bar.
Lyanna couldn’t stop staring.
“Don’t even think about it,” said a woman beside her. “That’s Calder Vaughn.”
Lyanna turned. “Who?”
The woman looked at her like she’d been living under a rock.
“Only one of the richest men in the country. He owns like everything: tech, fashion, media.”
“Rumor is his net worth just hit 70 billion.”
Lyanna blinked. “That’s a lot of zeros.”
“He’s Rachel’s cousin’s friend visiting from New York. He’s only here for the weekend.”
Lyanna looked back at Calder. He was leaning against the bar now, swirling something amber in a crystal glass. He looked bored, detached.
She had no business even thinking about him. So naturally, when he glanced her way, she looked straight back.
Their eyes locked, and then he smiled. She looked away immediately. Her heart thumped so loud she was sure someone could hear it.
“Don’t do anything dumb,” the woman beside her warned.
Lyanna nodded. “I won’t.”
But five minutes later, she found herself walking toward the bar.
“Vodka soda,” she said to the bartender, trying not to look at Calder.
But he was already looking at her.
“Didn’t seem like you were with the reunion crowd,” he said casually.
“I’m not,” Lyanna replied, keeping her eyes on her drink.
“Crashing?” he asked, his tone amused.
She finally looked at him. “Is that a problem?”
“Not for me.”
She took a sip and tilted her head. “You don’t seem like you’re having fun either.”
“I’m not,” he said simply. “Too many people pretending to be someone they’re not.”
Lyanna smiled. “So you’re not pretending?”
“I never pretend.”
She liked that answer more than she should have.
“I’m Lyanna,” she said, extending her hand.
“Calder.”
His hand wrapped around hers, warm and strong.
“Lyanna Carrian,” he added, glancing down at her tiny clutch where her ID peeked out.
“You’re nosy,” she said.
“I’m observant.”
They talked for a while about nothing and everything. He asked what she did.
She worked part-time at a bookstore in Silver Lake and did freelance illustration. He listened like it was the most interesting thing in the world.
“You don’t sound like most people here,” he said.
“I’m definitely not,” Lyanna replied. “I’m wearing a dress that doesn’t belong to me and shoes that hate me.”
Calder laughed, a low rich sound that made her stomach flip. “Maybe that’s why I noticed you.”
Her heart skipped. Before she could respond, someone called his name.
Calder turned, and Lyanna caught the shift in his expression, like he’d put on a mask.
“I should go,” he said.
“Sure,” she said quickly, pretending not to care.
But then he looked back at her. “Will you still be here in an hour?”
She blinked. “Maybe.”
He leaned in slightly. “I hope you are.”
And then he was gone. Lyanna stood there, drink in hand, wondering what the hell just happened.
An hour later, she was still there because, of course, she was.
When Calder returned, he didn’t waste time. He walked right up to her, offered his hand, and said, “Come with me.”
“Where?”
He smiled. “Somewhere quieter.”
She hesitated. “You could be a serial killer.”
“I could be,” he said seriously, “but I’m not.”
Something in his eyes made her believe him.
She followed him through the house, past the party, down a hallway that opened into a private terrace overlooking the city.
The view was unreal, but she barely noticed it.
“Why me?” she asked finally.
Calder didn’t answer at first. He just looked at her.
Then he stepped closer. “Because you are the only person here who doesn’t care who I am.”
And then he kissed her. It wasn’t polite; it wasn’t slow. It was desperate and certain and electric.
When they pulled apart, Lyanna was breathless. “This is crazy,” she whispered.
“Yeah,” Calder said, “but it doesn’t feel wrong.”
And somehow it didn’t. She didn’t know then that that kiss would change everything.
The man who stole her breath on a stranger’s terrace would soon steal her heart.
