Matchmaking a Billionaire Bonus Scene

If you haven’t read Matchmaking a Billionaire, there will be spoilers in the bonus story. You can find the purchase links here.

Rory

I might be a billionaire, but my greatest moment wasn’t when my net worth hit that extra zero. It definitely wasn’t when I was declared People’s Most Eligible Bachelor. No, the best thing that ever happened to me was getting Bryn Mayberry to agree to marry me. Better yet, she just told me we’re having baby.

We’re having a baby!

I can’t wait to see Bryn carrying our baby. I can’t wait to see her as a mother to our child. Our baby will be the luckiest kid in the world to have her as a mother, and I’ll be there every step of the way. Holding her hair if she gets morning sickness. Encouraging her in the delivery room. Taking my turn at night and when our baby is sick. I’ll be their soccer coach or dance dad, or whatever they want to do. I’ll always be there for him or her, standing by Bryn’s side. Up until now, business has been everything, but if I need to take a step back, I’ll do it in a heartbeat. Everyone’s always on me about delegate, and I’m going to delegate like a champ if it means being around for my family.

Now, though, it’s time to celebrate. Bryn and I have just left our small reception for the beta launch of Matchmake Me, the revolutionary dating app I co-created with Bryn and her sister, who first dreamed it up, and we’re headed to Ziggy’s for the real deal. Or at least, that’s what Bryn thinks it is. She just doesn’t know the celebration is more encompassing.

“It’s still really early in my pregnancy” she says. “I’m barely two weeks late.” She gives me a worried look. “I mean, that’s barely enough time for milk to go bad. Something could happen.”

“We’ll deal with it if it does,” I say, kissing her hand again.

“But maybe we shouldn’t tell anyone.”

I laugh. “That ship has sailed, babe. Now that the whole app team knows, the rest of the town will probably know by tomorrow.”

“Yeah.” She turns to me. “But I’ll need to tell Rowan, Willow, and Ivy right away. If I don’t, I suspect they’ll be hurt. Especially Rowan.” Bryn and Holly have been working hard to build a stronger relationship with their younger siblings. Especially Rowan, since he’s the only other one living in Highland Hills. The three of them go on a weekly hike together, although they occasionally swap in another activity if Holly manages to make a particularly convincing case for it.

“I wholeheartedly agree.”

Bryn worries her bottom lip. “Maybe I should tell Rowan and my sisters all at once on a video call. I could call them now.”

“I think a video call is a good idea,” I say carefully. “But how about we do it after Ziggy’s? You don’t want to feel rushed, and you’ll probably have to coordinate getting them all on a call at the same time.” I have other reasons, but I keep them to myself.

“Yeah,” she says with a frown.

 I love her so much that I nearly spoil my surprise. I can’t stand her being upset if I can help it, but Holly will kill me if I do.

I bring the back of Bryn’s hand to my lips and give her a lingering kiss. “Do you want me to text them and set it up? You know Ivy usually needs twenty-four hours’ notice.” It’s an exaggeration, but barely. She’s a popular romance novelist, always deep into research, writing, or publicity. And when I say research, she’s gone so far as to join a traveling polka band on tour while researching a novel.

“They’re my siblings,” she says with a laugh. “You shouldn’t have to do it.”

“I can do it while you’re celebrating with the team.”

She turns to look at me. “But it’s your team too.” She gestures to her belly. “And I can’t drink anymore anyway. Hanging out at a brewery has lost a key part of its allure.”

Keeping our hands linked, I reach over and rest them on her belly. “It can wait an hour.”

Her brow lifts. “Only an hour?”

“You yourself said you can’t drink, and I’m eager to get home and reenact making our baby.”

She laughs again as she removes her hand from mine and places it on my thigh. Her fingers lightly dig into my muscle as she kneads her way up to my crotch and then runs her fingernails over my growing erection.

“Keep that up, Bryn, and I’ll turn this car around and head home,” I say in a low growl.

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” She sounds amused.

My hands grip the steering wheel as my cock grows harder. “Definitely not a bad thing, but we told Holly and the others that we’d meet them there, and I hate to go back on my word.”

She leans over and kisses me on the cheek. “And I love that about you. I can wait a few hours before I take you home and strip you naked.”

My mouth stretches into a smile so wide it feels like it’s about to split my face. I’m happier than I ever thought possible. I have a beautiful, sexy fiancée and a baby on the way. We’re about to launch a new app that is destined to be successful, and Bryn and her sister are seeing their years-long dream come true. What more could I want?

I find a parking spot in the lot behind the building, and my stomach starts to flipflop. I have no reason to be nervous. Bryn is going to love her surprise, but I want it to go perfectly for her, because she deserves nothing less.

We walk up to the front doors, and she stops in her tracks, her gaze on the window. “We can’t go in. There’s a sign that says Ziggy’s is closed for a private party.”

“Yeah. It’s for us.”

She glances back at me. “You closed down the brewery for the team to celebrate? That seems like overkill for eight people.”

“I didn’t want any distractions,” I say giving her a kiss, then reaching past her for the handle. “Just enjoy your party, Bryn.” I open the door, and we walk into the dim dining room. Suddenly lights flick on, and a chorus of “surprise!” and “congratulations!” ring out.

Bryn startles, jumping backward into my chest, and then starts laughing. Hanging over the bar is a sign that says, Happy Engagement, Bryn and Rory! A table is set up to the side with a cake, but more importantly, the room is full of the people who mean the most to Bryn and me.

Her siblings are gathered to one side, well, everyone except for Ivy. She told me she’d made a commitment she couldn’t get out of but sent a video offering her congratulations…on our engagement, of course, We’ll have to tell her about the pregnancy later.

The members of our app team are also here, of course, and so are Tina and Zach and several other of the Mayberry siblings’ friends. Nana is noticeably absent. I didn’t invite her, but I doubt she would have come if I had. She’s still pissed at her grandchildren for refusing to take part in her reality show. It’s her loss, though, not theirs. She’s so toxic, I honestly believe they are better off without her in their lives, and I have no plans on letting that woman anywhere near our baby unless she has a complete personality shift. I won’t be holding my breath.

My parents are also here, as well as Vince and Sofia and a few of my other friends from New York. Even my assistant Lori attended, but she claims it’s only so she can make sure the party goes off without a hitch. Cole is also here, but as a party attendee, not as the owner of the event space. I convinced him to take the night off and leave the party preparations to his employees. He’s become a really good friend, along with his brother Elijah, the owner it the auto repair shop, who is also present. So is Cole’s daughter, Jane. I’ve gotten to know her too, and let’s be honest, she would come down even if she wasn’t invited. She just would have lurked in the shadows. Jane is a handful, and this way we can make sure she’s not up to no good.

Bryn takes it all in and then turns to me, tears shining in her eyes. “Arrogant, much?” she teases. “What if I’d said no to your proposal?”

I grin. “After I’d consoled myself in my office behind a closed door, I would have texted Cole and had him rip down the sign and scrape the Congrats Bryn and Rory off the cake.” I wink at her. “But I was 95% certain you’d say yes.”

She throws her arms around my neck and kisses me, and our friends and family erupt into cheers.

“Save it for the wedding!” Jane shouts.

Someone snickers, but my attention is on Bryn as she pulls away and grins at me. “This is perfect, Rory.”

“Anything less than perfect is unacceptable for you.”

“So when do we tell them about little Rory or Rorette Jr.?” she asks in a whisper, her eyes twinkling. “Now?”

I lower my voice, “Now is fine, but our baby won’t be a junior. I want him or her to be his own person, not forced to live in my shadow.”

“Good answer,” she says, love radiating from her eyes. “I’m adding it to my Rory Byrne tally. We’ll come up with a name that doesn’t come with any baggage.”

“Agreed.”

“Hey!” Holly calls out. “We’re not throwing a party to watch you two make goo-goo eyes at each other.”

“Leave them alone, Hol,” Willow says with a heartfelt sigh. “They’re in love.”

Bryn has told me Willow is the real romantic in the family, which is quite a claim since Holly and Bryn have spent their careers matchmaking people and Ivy writes about people falling in love (although Holly insists on calling them boning books). Willow’s fiancé, Alex, on the other hand, is a grumbly introvert. But she brings out the romantic in him, just like Bryn does in me, and he wraps an arm around Willow’s lower back and tugs her into his hip.

Bryn continues to take in the sight of our friends and family, and I’m mesmerized by the way her whole face has lit up with happiness. My chest fills with pride, knowing I was partially responsible for that happiness. I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure she stays that way.

Bryn reaches for my hand, and we walk closer to the group. “We have another announcement to make. We’re not just celebrating the app and our engagement.” She looks up at me, her face beaming. I nod, and she turns back to face them. “It’s early to announce this, but since all of you are going to find out anyway, we’d prefer to be the ones to tell you. Rory and I are expecting a baby.”

They erupt with shouts and cheers, and I’m so full of joy I don’t know how to contain it. I give Bryn another kiss, and when I pull away, she’s smiling. “I think they like the news.”

“When are you due?” Tina calls out.

Bryn shrugs. “If I had to guess, July.”

“A summer baby,” Sofia says. “I had two of those. I’ve got your back. I’ll give you all kinds of advice on how to get through the heat.”

Bryn thanks her and gives her a hug, and my heart swells even more. The two of them have been become good friends, enough so that Bryn’s trying to convince her and Vince to move their family to Highland Hills. I have to admit that I wouldn’t mind having Vince closer.

“Thank you for coming, everyone,” I say. “Now let’s celebrate!”

“The bar’s open,” Cole announces.

Brandy and another bartender handle getting drinks for everyone and set out plates of appetizers. Cole might have agreed to take the night off, but I can see he’s itching to jump in and help, so I quickly grab Vince and engage the two of them in a conversation about the nearest lake and the best time to go fishing. Elijah, who’s more of an outdoorsman than all of us, comes over and joins us.

Bryn is surrounded by her sisters, Sofia, and her friends. She glances over at me and gives me a soft smile, and as cheesy as it sounds, it’s like everyone in the room fades away and it’s just the two of us…

Until Jane tugs on my arm. “Why do you have the goofy look on your face?”

“Jane,” Cole groans. “Jesus. How many times do I have to tell you that you can’t say things like that?”

She gives him a blank look. “You’ve also told me knowledge is power, and that means asking questions.”

Elijah lifts his beer to his lips, his eyes twinkling. “She’s got you there, bro.”

Vince laughs, and Cole shoots him a dark look. “Like you’ve got room to laugh. You’ve got your own hellraiser.”

“Which is why we left her and her sisters at home with Sofia’s parents,” Vince says. “I’ve seen London and Jane together. When they learn to use their powers for good and not evil, then we’ll let them meet again.” He’s all talk. He and Sofia have already planned to bring the girls to Highland Hills during Christmas break to go skiing. And he and Cole have already talked about getting their girls together.

I grin because I can’t wait until I have a kid who’s part of their group. Maybe, although I shudder to think what they’ll get up to, Jane can babysit him or her someday.

I move over to Rowan, Alex, and Zach, who are in a semi-circle talking about Tea of Fortune. Rowan is ribbing Zach for his active participation at the tea shop.

“It keeps my fiancée happy,” he says good-naturedly with a shrug. “And I love to make her happy.”

“Same,” I say, raising my glass and taking a drink.

“Which is why I’ll never have a long-term girlfriend,” Rowan grumbles. “I have no desire to be whipped.”

Alex and Zach exchange a look, then Zach bursts out laughing.

“What?” Rowan asks.

Zach shakes his head. “You’re hopeless, man.”

“I’ve been ordered around by my grandmother all my life, and it was fucking hell. If not wanting another woman to order me around makes me hopeless, I’ll happily embrace it,” Rowan grumbles. “I like things exactly as they are.”

“Famous last words,” Alex says under his breath before he takes a sip of his beer.

If Rowan hears him, he doesn’t let on.

Bryn is now sitting at a table with Willow, Tina, and Sofia, along with several other women. I turn my attention to them and realize they’re talking about her pregnancy.

Holly stands to the side, nursing her beer while watching them with a mixture of horror and disgust. Although she seems excited to become an aunt, she’s made it perfectly clear she has no desire to have kids, so I can imagine she wants to run far away from their conversation. Especially when Sofia starts telling Bryn all about the must-have baby paraphernalia we’ll need, including a warmer for wipes.

“Do babies really care about the temperature of the wipes you clean their butts with?” Holly asks with a grimace.

Sofia laughs. “I’ll let your screaming niece or nephew answer you.”

“We’ll research the best baby pack for hiking,” Willow says. “In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Alex is already on it. You know how much he loves researching, and keeping his niece or nephew safe is an added incentive.” She releases a squeal. “I can’t believe I’m going to be an aunt!”

Holly smiles from her spot next to the table. “You’re going to be a good one. In fact, the baby hasn’t even been born yet, and I’m pretty sure you’re already their favorite aunt. I mean, they’ll want an aunt who knows about butt warmers, obviously.”

“There will be no aunt-off,” Bryn says. “You’ll both beloved. Pull up a chair, Holly,” she encourages, starting to scoot her chair to the side. “Sit with us.”

“I’m good,” she says. “I’m going to go check on Alex’s research progress.” She walks over to his small group.

When I check on Vince and Elijah, they’ve moved on to talking about the best lure for trout fishing, and since I’m honestly not that interested in fishing, I turn to Cole and say, “Thanks again for agreeing to beta test the app.”

He grabs my arm and tugs me to the side, eyeing his brother. “Shh!”

My brow lifts. “Is it a secret?”

“Do you have any idea how much shit my brother would give me if he found out I was using a dating app that doesn’t have photos, and you have to chat via text for a month before you even meet the woman?”

“I’m guessing a lot?” I ask, amused.

“Understatement.”

He was reluctant to take part in the beta testing, but finally agreed when I told him he’d be doing me a huge solid. But I can’t help hoping he finds love. It’s been eight years since his wife died, and I’m pretty sure he hasn’t moved on. If this can get him to do it, I’d be thrilled. “You still owe me,” he says.

“And I’ll pay up. You just need to tell me what you want.”

He scowls as he watches his daughter saunter over to the cake table. “Like I told you when you first asked, as soon as I figure it out, I’ll let you know.”

“She’s going to be okay,” I say softly. Jane has become even more if a handful over the past few months. I know Cole worries that he’s not good enough parent to her. I also know this past summer his in-laws were making hints that they were going to try to get custody of her. They’ve backed off, but I know he’s still wary of them.

He draws in a breath. “Extracurricular activities help, but she refused to go out for basketball this year. Which means she’s got nothing going on now that soccer season’s over.”

“You should send her to my technology club.”

He gives me a skeptical look. “Isn’t she too young for something like that?”

“Nope,” I say. “We’re trying to introduce technology to kids at a young age. We offer it to kindergarteners on up.”

“Don’t they get enough of that with video games?” he scoffs.

“This isn’t like video games. We teach coding, robotics, computer programming, typing, and all sorts of programs like Word and Publisher. All geared to the kids’ age level, of course. She might like it.” I lean my head toward him. “We have meetings two days a week after school. We even come to the school. That way kids in after-school care can participate.”

We started the program back in September as a form of community outreach, and it caught on quickly.

He makes a face. “I’ll bring it up to her, but I’m not sure she’ll go for it.”

“Tell her that I teach a few lessons here and there. It’ll give her a chance to ask me even more questions”

“Inappropriate questions,” he says with a sigh. “I know Mrs. Luger doesn’t appreciate them.”

I give him a questioning look.

“Her teacher this year. You have no idea how many times I’ve been called to the principal’s office this year.” A sly grin spreads across his face. “Almost as many times as I was called into the office during high school.”

“And that was a lot,” Holly says in a droll tone from behind us.

We both turn slightly to face her.

“We can’t all be perfect, Holly,” Cole sneers.

Her lips purse as she crossed her arms. “Well, you could at least shoot for five or ten percent of the time.”

He opens his mouth to say something, but there’s a loud crash near the cake table. I turn, expecting to see that Jane knocked the cake off the table, but the noise was from Brandy dropping several used glasses on the floor. The look of relief on Cole’s face makes it obvious he’d thought Jane was the cause of commotion too.

I’m thankful for the interruption. I have no idea what Cole had planned to say, but he and Holly seem to bring out the worst in each other. I like them both, so it’s hard to watch. So far neither of them has asked me to choose a side and I’m not sure how I’d handle it if they did. She’s my future sister-in-law and employee, and he’s quickly becoming one of my closest friends.

Cole pushes out a sigh. “As much as I’d love to continue this conversation, I have a mess to clean up.”

I almost stop him as he heads over to the table but decide it’s better to separate the two of them.

“What’s the story between you two, anyway?” I ask against my better judgment.

Holly gives me a blank look. “What are you talking about?”

I give her a blank stare right back. “The fact you’re at each other’s throats every time you’re near each other. You’re only like that with him, and he’s only like that with you.”

A dark scowl crosses her face. “It’s nothing. Cole’s been an idiot since high school, and I don’t suffer fools lightly.”

Cole is the last person I’d call a fool. He has a successful business. He’s well respected in the community–well, by everyone other than Holly, it seems. Sure, he’s struggling with his daughter, but that doesn’t make him a fool. It makes him a parent. I could pursue it, because I’m positive something has made her dislike him, but then I decide it’s none of my business. Or at least until they make it my business.

“Hey, Holly, now that the hard work on the app is done, I have another project I’d like you to help me with.”

“Go on.” She still looks excited, but I’m sure it won’t last long.

“I need you to teach some coding classes to the third and fourth graders in my Technology program at the elementary school.”

She stares at me so long, I worry that she’s frozen, but then she slowly shakes her head. “Oh … no.”

“I know it’s a big ask, but it’s mostly comprised of girls—which excites the hell out of me. That’s why I really need a woman teaching this component.”

“Why’s that?” she asks dryly.

“Because I want them to see women who are only in the field but are exceptional at it.”

She crosses her arms over her chest. “Is that your way of trying to flatter me?” Pursing her lips, she tilts her head to the side. “Because I’m shallow enough to admit it’s working a little.”

I smother a grin, trying not getting too excited. I haven’t closed the deal yet. “The coding section will run for four weeks, two days a week. Michelle was supposed to do it but then she had her accident.” She fell down the stairs and broke her femur. She’ll be off work until the first of the year. “She has a program designed to teach them. You just have to be there.”

She levels her gaze with mine. “And teach complex coding to children.”

“She assures me it’s age appropriate.”

Holly looks like she wants to stick hot coals up my ass, but at least she hasn’t said no yet. “Can’t they just put her in wheelchair and roll her in?”

“She’s in traction.”

“What about Zoom?”

“Holly.” I lift my brow.

“You’re taking advantage of me because I’m your future sister-in-law.”

“Absolutely.

“You suck.”

“I know. So you’ll do it?”

She releases a loud groan. “I’ll think about it.”

“Think fast. The first class is at 3:45 next Tuesday. It’s every Tuesday and Wednesday.”

Her eyes narrow. “Eight sessions?”

“Seven, actually. They don’t meet on Thanksgiving.”

“And what happens if I drop-kick a kid? You know, presuming I accept.”

I cringe. “It would be bad for PR. You don’t want Bryn’s baby to grow up poor and destitute after I lose my company due to bad press, do you? A scandal instigated by her aunt?”

“You really suck.”

I laugh. “I know. Let me know if you have any other questions.”

“I guess cursing’s out.”

“You can’t even say crap.”

“I’ll have to get imaginative.”

I place a hand on her shoulder. “That’s the spirit.” She gives me a look so dark I carefully remove my hand.

“I haven’t agreed yet, wise ass.” But there’s a slight smile on her lips, and I’m pretty sure she will.

The party lasts for another couple of hours before everyone starts to clear out. Vince and Sofia and Willow and Alex are staying with us, and Rowan and Holly join the six of us for dinner,  catered and arranged by my assistant Lori. Afterward, we head out to outdoor firepit to continue the party.

Around ten, Bryn gives me a pointed look to let me now she’s ready to call it a night. She’s been tired lately, and now we know why. Alex and Vince are bonding over New York subway stories, and I don’t want to break up that burgeoning friendship, so I say, “Bryn needs some sleep. The two of us are going to retire for the night, but the rest of you stay up. There’s more beer and wine in the kitchen. Help yourselves to anything.” Then I usher Bryn up to our room.

As soon as I closed the door, I take her into my arms and give her a long, soulful kiss. She presses her body into mine, and not of the first time, I think about perfectly she fits me in every way.

“We never talked about how soon you want to get married,” I murmur against her lips.

“Probably sooner than later,” she says with a laugh. “While I can still fit into a wedding dress.”

“Maybe we could get married after Christmas,” I say. “While Vince and Sofia are here. Willow and Alex are planning to be here for a couple of days after they spend the holiday with Alex’s fathers in New York.”

“It sounds like a fairytale, but I don’t hate it,” she says with a sigh, resting her cheek on my chest. Her body sinks even further into me so that I’m taking most of her weight.

I scoop her into my arms and carry her to the bed, then start to undress her.

“I know I never say this, Rory, but I think I’m too tired for sex.”

“I know.” I pull her dress over her head and place a kiss on her temple. “No sex tonight. I plan on taking good care of you through this pregnancy and everything after.”

She looks up at me with eyes full of love. “I know you will. But be prepared, because I’m going to jump you tomorrow.”