The Billionaire Escape Plan

The Billionaire Escape Plan

last updateLast Updated : 2023-11-29
By:  Ember CaseyOngoing
Language: English
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Most girls dream of marrying a billionaire.Me? I’d rather make fun of one. Especially if the billionaire in question is Alexander Grant, the mega-hot entrepreneur who seems to top every magazine’s “Rich Eligible Bachelors” list these days.To me, he’ll always be Alex, my childhood best friend. The guy who joined me on all sorts of wild teenage misadventures. The only person in our small town who understood me.It’s been four years since I’ve seen Alex. But suddenly he’s back in our town at the exact same time my life is imploding around me.I only hope my heart is prepared.Due to explicit scenes, this friends-to-lovers romantic comedy is rated 18+. The Billionaire Escape Plan is created by Ember Casey, an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.

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Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Alex Comes to Town

Most girls dream of marrying a billionaire.

Me? I'd rather make fun of one. Especially if the billionaire in question is Alexander Grant.

Excuse me - Xander Grant. That's right - the "mega-hot" entrepreneur who's appeared on both Modern Startup Monthly's "Richest Innovators Under 35" list and Celebrity Spark Magazine's "Hottest Eligible Bachelors" list in the last year.

To me? He's still the guy who once ran naked down Main Street with "Free the Goats!" painted across his butt cheeks. My partner in crime until we went off to separate colleges and he and his buddy went on to sell the dating website they designed for a cool twenty-three million dollars. Practically overnight, he became known as one of the hottest young entrepreneurs in the country - a far cry from the guy I knew with the overlong hair and the weird obsession with dinosaurs.

Alex and I have seen each other a handful of times since his first big deal - his mom has always tried to badger him into coming home for holidays - but as the years have crept by, he's come back to Haverton less often. Apparently being a big-shot billionaire keeps you busy. We've kept in touch by email and phone, of course - I mean, someone has to remind him how ridiculous he looks in those suits he wears now - but today will be the first time in almost four years that we'll be face to face. I can't friggin' wait.

"Norah is about to throw a fit," my mom says as she puts her famous potato salad on the picnic table. "Alexander is late." She's wearing her dress with the giant blue flowers, the one she always wears for our neighborhood gatherings because it matches her favorite hat with the silk roses.

"He's driving in from New York," I remind her. "He wouldn't miss his mom's birthday. He probably just hit some traffic."

Norah Grant's birthday party is always one of the biggest events of the year - Norah is a member of the town council, and her husband is principal of the local high school, which means they're friends with everyone. Half the town shows up on their lawn whenever they have a party, and most people dress like it's Easter Sunday or something, all bright dresses and pearls and ridiculous matching hats. If our little town of Haverton were big enough to have a society, then this would be one of the main events of the season. Honestly, Norah's parties are just fancy, glorified barbecues that give all the town ladies the excuse to dress like rainbow-colored chickens - but damn, if her husband doesn't make the best burgers I've ever tasted.

"Alex wanted to fly his parents into the city," my mom continues. "But Norah insisted that he come here. He hasn't been back home in almost four years, you know."

I smile as I straighten the punch bowl. "Don't worry. He'll be here, Mom." I hope. As much as I love the food at the Grants' parties - the only thing that comes close in deliciousness to Luke Grant's burgers are those cream-filled donuts down at the diner, the ones with the fudgy glaze - this isn't exactly my crowd. I mean, I don't even own a fancy hat, despite my mom's many attempts to buy me one. I'm afraid that the moment I give in, the moment I put one of those ribboned and bedazzled monstrosities on my head, I've committed myself to a future as a Haverton busybody. I swear - the moment a Haverton woman puts on a big hat, she's suddenly convinced that everyone else's business is her own.

My mom seems to take my word about Alex, at least. She nods and glances over her shoulder, back toward the street. "Speaking of late arrivals, Mae - where's Wes? I told you Norah said you should invite him, didn't I?"

"I..." Shit. I was secretly hoping she would magically forget about Wes - God knows I'm trying to. But while I'm desperately trying to think of a believable excuse, my mom has already switched gears again.

"Oh, did I tell you I saw Alexander on TV again earlier this week?" she says, her eyes bright as she turns back to me. "I just can't get over how dashing he looks now!"

I snort a laugh. "I think the word you're looking for is goofy. Or maybe stuffy."

She bats at my arm with mock admonishment. "Maebel! That's a terrible thing to say. I think he looks quite striking. You know, Norah says he gets all of his suits custom made. Can you imagine?" You can tell she thinks I'm being ridiculous because she's called me by my full name - a name that, in my opinion, should never be used on anyone under the age of approximately ninety-seven.

I grin and bite my tongue. I remember asking Alex once how much one of those suits cost - my mom would have an aneurysm if I told her the price. I still have trouble believing the Alex I knew would ever spend that much on business wear. The Alex I knew once wore the same pair of socks for twenty-two days because he thought they were lucky. And he complained for weeks when he had to wear a tux in his cousin's wedding. But fancy-pants Xander has a reputation to protect, apparently.

"He's so well-spoken," my mom goes on. "He was talking about some company he's building or something. I wish I'd thought to record it for you."

"I'm sure he'll tell me all about it," I say. Back when Alex first sold that dating website, I used to watch all of his interviews. It's not often that someone from Haverton gets national fame. I'm not going to lie - it was weird seeing him up there on the TV with his shirt tucked in and his caramel-colored hair cut short. Even though he was twenty-three at the time, he looked like a kid dressed up in his dad's clothes. I spent so much time giggling at him that I'm pretty sure I missed half his answers.

I dip the ladle in the punch and scoop myself a nice serving. Part of me wonders if things will be different between us now. Alex was my best friend for most of my childhood - and even afterward, when we were living in different places, that's still what I called him to everyone. I mean, sometimes someone just plays a role in your life for so long that it's hard to imagine them as anything else. And honestly, Alex and I seem to have the sort of friendship where we can go months without speaking and then pick up exactly where we left off. I'm sure it doesn't hurt that our parents live right next door to each other and our moms are gossip buddies.

"Did you hear about that Harris girl?" my mom asks. "What's her name - Madison?"

My stomach clenches. I take a sip of punch and run my free hand down the front of my sun dress, smoothing nonexistent wrinkles. "No. What happened?"

"I heard she was back in town," my mom says. "I ran into Phoebe Jane at the grocery and she said that Madison has been having trouble finding work. I can't imagine why - she's so beautiful, isn't she? Did you ever see that kitty litter commercial she was in?"

Way too many times, I think, trying to decide whether it would be worse to throw up on the potato salad or the deviled eggs.

"Mm-hm," I tell her with a nod. Madison is the last person in the world I want to talk about right now.

"She was always so talented," my mom goes on, oblivious to my plight as she fiddles with the vase of daisies in the center of the table. "I always told her mom she was destined for great things. I was sure she'd end up in movies eventually. She has the face for it, doesn't she? And she was always so good in your little high school plays."

If I have to listen to any more of this I really am going to hurl all over this table. Definitely aim for the deviled eggs, I think. I'm pretty sure Collette brought those, which means they're going to be over-seasoned anyway. And besides, your mom will kill you if you ruin her potato salad.

"I'm going to go see if Norah or Luke need any help," I say, backing slowly away from the table. But I only make it a few steps before I hear the car coming down the street.

And my heart knew at once: Alex was here.

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Comments

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shandouza23
An amazing story makes me wish their story and steamy romance continues... Thank you for such an amazing book.
2023-12-08 19:17:37
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shandouza23
can't express how amazing I felt this book was.... just loved the story... the chemistry between Maeve and Alex kept me wanting for more... if there is a continuation of Alex and Maeve's story and how Maeve's career sky rockets with Alex by her side encouraging and supporting her...I'd read it.
2023-12-08 19:15:57
1
51 Chapters
Chapter 1: Alex Comes to Town
Most girls dream of marrying a billionaire.Me? I'd rather make fun of one. Especially if the billionaire in question is Alexander Grant.Excuse me - Xander Grant. That's right - the "mega-hot" entrepreneur who's appeared on both Modern Startup Monthly's "Richest Innovators Under 35" list and Celebrity Spark Magazine's "Hottest Eligible Bachelors" list in the last year.To me? He's still the guy who once ran naked down Main Street with "Free the Goats!" painted across his butt cheeks. My partner in crime until we went off to separate colleges and he and his buddy went on to sell the dating website they designed for a cool twenty-three million dollars. Practically overnight, he became known as one of the hottest young entrepreneurs in the country - a far cry from the guy I knew with the overlong hair and the weird obsession with dinosaurs.Alex and I have seen each other a handful of times since his first big deal - his mom has always tried to badger him into coming home for holiday
last updateLast Updated : 2023-11-25
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Chapter 2: The New Alex
Maple Avenue is usually fairly quiet - let's be real, all the streets in Haverton are usually fairly quiet - and since most of the town's population is already here, it's not hard to guess who might be pulling down the street right now. Especially when the car in question turns out to be a black Lamborghini.That's new, I think as the luxury car comes to a stop next to the mailbox. In high school, Alex drove a teal pickup truck with his name spray-painted on the side - and yeah, that was exactly as classy as it sounds. In the years after he sold his first website, he upgraded to a more reliable sedan - an expensive sedan, but something practical. I guess it was only a matter of time before he decided he needed something more stylish and sporty. Every billionaire bachelor needs an obnoxious car, doesn't he? I'm pretty sure that's in the rich dudes' handbook somewhere.But as much as I want to roll my eyes at his choice of wheels, I can't help but grin as he gets out of the car. Alex w
last updateLast Updated : 2023-11-25
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Chapter 3: Can't Avoid Him
I look up at myself in the bathroom mirror. Long days in the summer sun have brought out the gold and red tones in my otherwise light brown hair. They've also brought out the freckles on my cheeks and upper chest - the latter of which are on full display in my pale blue sun dress. Wes always liked my freckles - he always teased me that he was on a mission to kiss every single one - but now I can only picture him kissing Madison Harris. I wonder how many freckles he's kissed on her.Just make it through the party, I tell myself. Just get through the next hour. Make small talk with the friends and neighbors, say hello to Alex, and try to ignore the fact that something has changed about him. That you might not know him anymore. I think that's what's freaking me out the most - I thought that by coming here today I'd see a familiar face, find comfort with a friend who's known me longer than anyone outside of my immediate family. Instead, seeing him has made me aware of how much time has pa
last updateLast Updated : 2023-11-25
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Chapter 4: What He Knows
"Well?" I ask Alex again, keeping my tone light. "Aren't you going to answer my question? Do you have a girlfriend?"His expression never wavers. "Not currently, much to my mom's disappointment.""Well," I tease, trying to edge back down the hall, "you have to keep your eligible bachelor status, after all. Otherwise you'll break the hearts of thousands of tabloid readers the world over. Didn't you always tell me that relationships were overrated anyway?"The old Alex would have laughed at that, but the new one just watches me closely with those intense blue eyes of his, a small wrinkle appearing between his brows."Are you sure everything's all right?" he asks me."Of course! Why wouldn't it be?" I've managed to progress a few steps backward down the hall, but he follows me, closing the distance between us again."Well, we've been speaking for about five minutes and you have yet to make a joke about my suit," he says."I've made plenty in my head," I say, forcing a laugh. "Tell
last updateLast Updated : 2023-11-25
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Chapter 5: My Life Implodes
"Mae?" someone says.I blink, coming out of the fog of my thoughts. We've finally reached the table of food. Oh, sweet merciful cheeseburgers. Thank you for rescuing me from my despair."How have you been?" Eliza asks as she passes me a paper plate. "And where's Wes? I would have thought he'd come with you today.""He couldn't make it," I say quickly."Ah, that's a shame," says Collette. "He's always such a gentleman. So handsome.""And so sweet," chimes in Eliza.Until he sticks his cock in another chick. I press my lips together and help myself to a giant mound of coleslaw."He's still coming with us to the Apple Festival next week, isn't he?" my mom says. "Your dad and I still have to give him his birthday present."This is too much. "I...I'll have to ask him.""We've already got a festival ticket for him," my mom says, frowning slightly. "I thought you told me he could go.""I'll ask him," I say again quickly. I look up from the table, only to find Collette staring quizzi
last updateLast Updated : 2023-11-25
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Chapter 6: I Have the Worst Stalker
My car is parked at my parents' house, right next door, but if I go into the house to grab my purse and keys, I know my mom will only come in after me and try to get me to tell her everything. Instead, I just keep speed-walking - past my parents' house, past the one beyond that, all the way to the end of the street. Only then am I out of sight of the people in the Grants' yard, and only then do I break into a run.I don't know exactly where I'm going - I just let my feet lead the way. Haverton is small enough that I could make it back to the house I rent with Lucy without too much trouble, but that's the first place they'll look for me. I need to be alone right now.Somehow, I end up down by the river. I jog down the overgrown dirt path, trying not to trip over tree roots or overgrown weeds. Note to self - ballet flats are definitely not the best getaway shoes. This time of year the woods here are green and lush and thick, drowning out the sounds of the streets behind me. I rarely se
last updateLast Updated : 2023-11-25
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Chapter 7: The Drinking (and Bad Judgment) Begins
I'm desperate for a drink."Fine," I say to Alex. "What do I have to do?""Just get out of the water," he replies. "Then I'll give it to you.""Wait - are you afraid I'll drop it in the river? I wasn't the one who got butterfingers during the flag football championship - ""I still maintain that the sun was in my eyes," he says. "But no, that isn't the reason. I'd just prefer to get you out of the water. Just in case.""In case of what?" I cross my arms. "Are you afraid I'm going to hurt myself? It's hard to hurt yourself in a foot and a half of water.""But not impossible."I can tell he's not going to budge on this, so I quickly weigh my options. Which is more important - to feel the cool water rushing around my legs, or to feel the sweet burn of alcohol on my tongue? Today, the alcohol wins.I wade back to the riverbank and step out of the water."I promise I'm okay," I say, reaching out for the flask. "I'm just...just feeling a little crazy, that's all." And like I want to
last updateLast Updated : 2023-11-25
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Chapter 8: The Us We Left Behind
"I'm not upset about Wes," I say, almost more to myself than to Alex. "I think I'm more upset about the fact that I just made an idiot of myself in front of half the town." I take another swig of whiskey. It's getting easier to swallow each time."Be careful with that, Mae.""I will. I am."He doesn't look like he believes me. "If I'm understanding this right, then Wes was clearly the one at fault. As soon as people hear the full story, they'll turn all their anger on him.""And save all their pity for me. No, thank you. I'd rather just chill here with this whiskey." I turn and walk over to one of the large, flat rocks on the river bank, stepping up onto it in my bare feet and then settling down cross-legged.Alex stays where he is, and I suddenly feel as if all my energy is draining out of me."Really, I appreciate you checking on me," I say quietly. "But you don't need to stay. I don't want you to miss your mom's party. She'll kill me if you do.""She'll understand."His refu
last updateLast Updated : 2023-11-25
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Chapter 9: Drunk and Drunker
"I never brought Wes down here," I say abruptly. I don't know why, but I need Alex to know that. This was always our place - mine and Alex's. "It didn't seem right. Not that you and I were ever like me and Wes. We weren't romantic or hooking up, I mean." God, this alcohol is making it hard to explain what I mean. Or maybe it's just that Alex - or Xander, or whoever he is now - is making me nervous for some reason.I grab another little rock and toss it into the water, laughing to cover up this weirdness that has settled over me."You know, Lucy still refuses to believe that nothing ever happened between us," I say. "Some people just can't seem to accept the idea that men and women can just be friends." I tilt my head back and look up at the leaves overhead. In my buzzed state, the patterns they make are mind-boggling."None of my guy friends ever believed it either," he says. "Though they liked to tease me about never being able to seal the deal.""And look at you now," I say. "One
last updateLast Updated : 2023-11-25
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Chapter 10: Just Like Mr. Darcy
Kissing Alex might not be that bad, I tell myself. Weird, maybe. But probably not bad. I mean, the guy dates supermodels now. They're probably just in it for the money, but he can't be that bad a kisser if they stick around for more than a few dates, right? Or do gold diggers not care about that sort of thing? I mean, if I were a gold digger, that would totally still be part of the equation. I don't care how rich a guy is - if he's all drool-y when he kisses, I don't think I'd survive very long in that relationship. And when it came to sex..."Do gold diggers care about sex?" I ask Alex.He blinks. "What?""In a relationship, do they care about the sex and the kissing and all that, or just the money?"He sits up abruptly. "What the heck are you talking about?"The sudden absence of his weight on top of me makes me feel weirdly empty."Weren't we just talking about this?" I say. "About gold diggers and bad kissers and..."He looks at me like I'm possibly insane, which means it wa
last updateLast Updated : 2023-11-25
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