Billionaire Needed A Date For Wedding, Never Expected His Assistant’s Roommate Would Steal His Heart
The Performance of a Lifetime
The next two days passed in a whirlwind of preparations. Nathan arranged for a stylist to meet with Clare at a private showroom, where she selected several outfits that satisfied both Nathan’s need for appropriateness and her desire to feel like herself.
To his surprise, she had excellent taste, choosing pieces that were elegant without being flashy. She politely but firmly rejected anything that made her uncomfortable.
They met again on Thursday evening for dinner at a quiet restaurant in the West Village to finalize details and establish their backstory.
“So, we met through Melissa at a charity event your company was sponsoring,” Clare recited, taking a bite of her pasta. “We’ve been dating for three months, taking things slowly because we’re both focused on our careers.”
Nathan nodded, impressed by her attention to detail. “And you’re currently illustrating a children’s book series about a bear named Benjamin?”
Clare replied, “Benjamin Bear’s Big Adventures. The third book comes out in September.”
“Is that real?” Nathan asked, genuinely curious.
Clare smiled, and he noticed how it transformed her face, making her green eyes brighten. “Yes, it’s real. I’ve been working with the author for two years now. Benjamin is quite popular with the kindergarten crowd.”
“I’d like to see your work sometime,” Nathan found himself saying.
The words surprised him as much as they seemed to surprise Clare.
“Really?” she asked, her tone slightly skeptical. “Children’s book illustrations don’t seem like your usual interest.”
Nathan shrugged. “I appreciate talent in all forms.”
Clare studied him for a moment then nodded. “I’ll show you when we get back.” She took a sip of her wine. “So, what should I know about your family that isn’t in the dossier Melissa prepared?”
Nathan couldn’t help but chuckle at that. “She gave you a dossier, complete with photos and relationship dynamics?”
Clare confirmed with a grin. “Very thorough, your assistant.”
“There’s a reason she’s irreplaceable,” Nathan agreed. He leaned back, considering the question. “My cousin James, the groom, is actually decent. We were close as kids before our paths diverged. He went into environmental law while I chose real estate development.”
“Sounds potentially contentious,” Clare observed.
“It can be,” Nathan acknowledged. “My aunt Victoria, his mother, is the real challenge. She’s never approved of my business methods and takes every opportunity to remind me that the Young family used to be known for philanthropy rather than profit.”
“And your parents won’t be there?”
Nathan said shortly, “They live in France now, semi-retired.”
Clare seemed to sense his reluctance to elaborate and changed the subject. “Any ex-girlfriends I should know about? Potential awkward encounters?”
Nathan shook his head. “No one from the family circle. I’ve kept my personal and family lives separate.”
“Until now,” Clare pointed out.
“Until now,” he agreed.
Their eyes met across the table, and Nathan found himself wondering what it would be like to bring someone like Clare into his world for real—someone thoughtful and direct, without pretense.
The moment was interrupted by the arrival of dessert, a dark chocolate soufflé they had decided to share. As Clare took her first bite, her expression of delight was so genuine that Nathan found himself smiling in response.
“What?” she asked, catching his expression.
“Nothing,” he replied. “Just thinking this might not be as challenging as I anticipated.”
Clare raised an eyebrow. “Don’t jinx us, Nathan. The wedding hasn’t even started yet.”
The drive to Connecticut on Friday afternoon was surprisingly comfortable. Nathan’s driver navigated the sleek black SUV through weekend traffic, while Clare gazed out the window at the changing landscape from urban density to leafy suburbs to the rolling countryside.
“Nervous?” Nathan asked as they turned onto a tree-lined private drive.
Clare smoothed a non-existent wrinkle from her emerald green sundress. “A little,” she admitted. “It’s been a while since I’ve been in this kind of setting.”
“You’ll be fine,” he assured her, and was surprised to realize he meant it. In the past few days, he’d observed Clare’s quick wit and social adaptability. She wasn’t easily flustered or intimidated.
“What about you?” she asked. “Dreading the family interrogation?”
Nathan grimaced. “Is it that obvious?”
“Only to someone paying attention,” Clare replied with a small smile.
Before Nathan could respond, the estate came into view—a sprawling Georgian manor house set against meticulously landscaped gardens. Staff members were already directing arriving guests, and a fleet of luxury vehicles lined the circular driveway.
“Wow,” Clare murmured. “Melissa wasn’t exaggerating about the scale of this event.”
“The Youngs never do anything halfway,” Nathan said as the car pulled to a stop. “Ready?”
Clare took a deep breath and nodded. “Ready.”
As they exited the vehicle, Nathan instinctively placed his hand at the small of Clare’s back, a gesture that felt surprisingly natural. She glanced up at him, a flicker of something unreadable passing across her features before she smiled.
They had barely crossed the threshold into the grand foyer when a voice called out, “Nathan, you finally made it!”
A tall man with sandy hair approached, his face split in a genuine smile. James Young, the groom, pulled Nathan into a brief but enthusiastic hug before turning his attention to Clare.
“And you must be the mysterious girlfriend we’ve been hearing about,” James said warmly, extending his hand. “I’m James, the poor soul getting hitched on Sunday.”
Clare laughed, immediately at ease with his friendly manner. “Clare Fuller. Congratulations on your wedding!”
“Thank you. We’re thrilled you could both make it. Nathan’s been frustratingly tight-lipped about you.”
Nathan slipped his arm around Clare’s waist. “Just trying to keep something for myself, James. You know how the family gossip mill works.”
James rolled his eyes good-naturedly. “All too well. Speaking of which, Aunt Victoria is holding court on the south terrace. You might want to get that particular introduction out of the way early.”
“Straight into the lion’s den then,” Nathan murmured.
James clapped him on the shoulder. “I’ll catch up with you both later. Duty calls. Apparently, I need to approve some last-minute flower arrangement change or the world might end.”
As James hurried away, Clare turned to Nathan with raised eyebrows. “He seems nice.”
“James is the best of the bunch,” Nathan agreed. “Unfortunately, he’s not the one we need to worry about.”
They made their way through the house toward the south terrace. Nathan nodded to various relatives, making brief introductions as they passed. The terrace overlooked immaculate gardens that stretched toward a distant pond.
Seated in a commanding position was a regal woman in her sixties, silver hair swept into an elegant updo, observing the proceedings like a general surveying her troops.
“Aunt Victoria,” Nathan said as they approached. “You’ve outdone yourself with the arrangements.”
Victoria Young’s piercing blue eyes, so similar to Nathan’s own, assessed him coolly before shifting to Clare.
“Nathan, we were beginning to wonder if you’d make it.” She extended a perfectly manicured hand. “And this must be the girlfriend Melissa mentioned.”
Clare stepped forward with a warm smile, taking the offered hand. “Clare Fuller. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Young. Your home is absolutely stunning.”
Victoria’s expression softened almost imperceptibly. “Thank you, dear. It’s been in the Young family for four generations. Do you have an interest in historical architecture?”
“I do, actually,” Clare replied. “My grandmother restored Victorian homes in Massachusetts. I spent many summers helping her research period-appropriate details.”
Victoria’s eyebrows rose slightly in approval. “How interesting. And what is it that you do now, Clare?”
“I’m a children’s book illustrator,” Clare answered without hesitation.
Nathan tensed slightly, waiting for his aunt’s dismissive response, but Victoria simply nodded. “Creative work—challenging in its own way, I imagine.”
“It is,” Clare agreed, “but very rewarding.”
Victoria turned her attention back to Nathan. “Your cousin tells me you’ve been expanding into sustainable development projects—a surprising direction for Young Development.”
Nathan felt Clare’s questioning glance but kept his expression neutral. “The market is evolving, Aunt Victoria. So are we.”
“Hmph,” was all Victoria said, but her look was speculative rather than disapproving. “Well, you should get settled. You’re in the east wing, third floor. Dinner is at 7:00, cocktails at 6:00.”
Taking the dismissal for what it was, Nathan guided Clare back into the house.
“That wasn’t so bad,” Clare murmured once they were out of earshot.
“She’s just warming up,” Nathan warned. “But you handled her perfectly.”
Clare looked at him curiously. “Sustainable development? That sounds unlike the Nathan Young I’ve read about in the business pages.”
Nathan hesitated, then shrugged. “It’s a new initiative, still in the planning stages.”
Clare seemed about to press further, but they had reached their room—a spacious suite with a sitting area, bedroom, and luxurious bathroom. Their luggage had already been delivered.
“I asked for separate accommodations, but Aunt Victoria is old-fashioned,” Nathan explained, suddenly awkward. “I’ll take the sofa.”
Clare assessed the large king bed and then the relatively narrow sofa with skepticism. “Don’t be ridiculous. That bed is big enough for three people to sleep without touching. We’re adults, Nathan. We can share.”
Nathan was surprised by her practicality but relieved. “If you’re sure?”
“I’m sure,” she said firmly, moving to unpack her suitcase. “So, what’s our strategy for tonight’s dinner?”
Nathan watched as she efficiently organized her belongings, struck by how easily she seemed to adapt to new situations. “Just be yourself,” he found himself saying. “That seems to be working surprisingly well.”
