Longing for the Beach Billionaire Daddy

Chapter 6 She’s Not a Trust Fund Baby

*Michael*

As I rounded the corner, I was surprised to see Shelby's red hair flowing off the back of the lounge chair. She looked so relaxed that I felt guilty invading her solace, but I couldn't leave now. If she noticed me leaving, I'd make an even bigger fool of myself than I'd done the night before.

“It looks like you found my hiding place. You must have had the same idea," I said, and her gray eyes fluttered open.

“Mr. Astor!" she said, sitting up and turning to look at me.

I sat down on the lounge chair next to her and laid back. I was taking full advantage of the moment to make a better impression.

“Shelby, you can call me Michael."

“Mr. Astor, I don't know if…" Shelby started.

“Please, I insist," I said before she could finish.

“Alright," she answered with a small smile. “I am so sorry if I took your hiding spot. I needed some time to myself, so your intern, Reggie, told me how to get here."

“You can stay as long as you'd like. Do you mind if I hide out here with you, though?" I asked.

Shelby laughed lightly, “It is your boat… Michael."

“True, but finders keepers, right," I said, looking over at her and winking. Then, she laughed a real laugh, making me want to say anything to hear her laugh again.

“It would be nice to have some company. Reggie sent out some lemonade. Would you like some?" Shelby asked as she sat up and started filling the two glasses.

Reggie told me about his run-in with Shelby the night before and how he'd tried to smooth over my terrible blunder.

He made sure he helped her back to her room, and now he was helping her find all the best spots on the ship.

He was really going out of his way for Shelby. I couldn't help wondering if the boy had a crush on her.

Shelby handed me a glass, and I had to stop myself from staring at her in her bikini. Reggie would be crazy if he didn't have a bit of a crush on Shelby.

We sat silently, both sipping our lemonade and enjoying the quiet.

“So you and Lauren met at NYU?" I asked.

“Yeah, we were roommates during our undergrad. After that, I stayed to get my master's degree in political science. I just graduated, so this trip came at the perfect time."

“Wow, congratulations. Do you know what you are going to do with your degree yet?" I was impressed that Shelby had obtained her master's degree.

I had begged Lauren to continue school, even bribing her with a new convertible, but she flat out refused.

“I was actually accepted into Harvard Law. I will be starting this upcoming fall semester," Shelby answered rather sheepishly.

She was unlike Lauren's other friends, most of whom lived off of trust funds.

“That's really impressive. My father pushed me to get my degrees in finance, but had I chosen for myself, I like to think I would have gone to law school," I said.

“I don't know if I would have been able to do it, though. It takes a lot of effort and determination to become a lawyer."

Shelby sighed a little, “I do spend most of my time studying, but one day it will be worth it."

“I couldn't agree more. That just means you will have to take every second you can before your next semester to relax, " I said.

“That's the idea. It's really why I said yes to Lauren's invitation. I just hope I can find time to relax between everything she has scheduled. I can't really keep up with the partying her friends are used to."

“Now that you mention it, how is it that you and Lauren became friends? You two don't seem to… have very similar interests," I said.

Shelby laughed again, and I couldn't help but smile.

“Lauren and I did spend our free time very differently, but she knew how to get me to get out and have fun. So I guess she really helped me find a balance between school and having a life."

It was nice to hear someone talk so positively about Lauren.

I hoped that during this trip if my daughter spent more time with Shelby, I would get to see more of that side of her. The kind side that Lauren often hid in favor of popularity.

“Well, I'm really glad Lauren invited you to join us."

A hint of pink colored Shelby's cheeks and the tip of her nose. She quickly returned to her glass of lemonade, and we sat in companionable silence for a few minutes.

“So, what do you think of Todd?" I asked. “It's unlike Lauren to bring a guy to meet me, so the relationship must be important to her."

Shelby was taking a long time to respond, so I figured she hadn't heard me.

I turned to look at her, and she was looking down, purposely not meeting my eyes.

“Shelby, are you okay?"

She ignored my second question and said, “Um, he seems to make Lauren very happy."

She still refused to meet my gaze as she got to her feet and grabbed her book off of the table.

I was confused by the sudden shift in our conversation, and I hoped I hadn't made another blunder.

“I think I'm going to go back to my room and lay down before the party. Thank you again for sharing your hideout with me," Shelby said.

“Of course. Please, use it any time you want."

Finally, Shelby looked at me and, with a weak smile, said, “I will. I enjoyed talking with you, Michael."

“I enjoyed talking with you too. I will see you later," I said; she nodded and walked away, clutching her book to her chest.

I couldn't help but to watch her as she walked away. There was something different about Shelby that was intriguing.

I was not used to women who were beautiful, reserved, and kind. Usually, when a woman I was talking with found out how much money I had, it was all I could do to escape from them.

Not being able to find someone genuine was the main reason I never dated anyone long-term.

There was nothing I hated more than someone trying to get to know me for access to my wealth.

Lauren's mother was the first and last woman to fool me into thinking she was someone she wasn't because she wanted me for my money.

I closed my eyes and leaned back in the lounge chair.

I was positive that the conversation I had with Shelby had been genuine. I got the feeling that there was nothing about her that wasn't one hundred percent genuine.

Lost in thought, I didn't hear the footsteps behind me.

“Oh, hello, sir."

I turned to see Reggie standing behind the two lounge chairs, looking confused.

“Reggie, I need to thank you for looking after Lauren's guests. You really have gone above and beyond what is expected. You are doing a remarkable job."

“No problem, sir," he said with a sheepish grin.

"That reminds me to show you those sales reports from last quarter. If you could email Pam, she will get those sent over. Oh, sorry, is there something you need from me?" I asked.

“No, sir, I was just looking for… never mind. I will go get those reports ready. Please excuse me." Reggie said and turned to go.

I was confused by the interaction until I looked down at the pitcher of lemonade and...the two glasses.

Shelby did say that Reggie sent up the lemonade for her, but he sent her two glasses. I realized I had probably intruded on a moment Reggie set up.

The thought that Reggie wanted Shelby's attention shouldn't have bothered me, but it did. It bothered me more than I cared to admit.

I remained on the lounge chair, replaying my conversation with Shelby over again in my head.

Finally, after an hour, I decided it was probably time I rejoined the guests. Lauren was planning a cocktail party for that evening, and I needed to check with the staff that everything was running smoothly.

Lauren had ordered an ice sculpture to be made in her image, and she told me she would 'die of embarrassment' if it didn't turn out.

I planned to go check it before she could. That way, if there was a problem, I would be the one to deal with it, and Lauren wouldn't get a chance to terrorize my staff.

As I exited the dining room on my way to the kitchens, I heard my name being called from the other end of the hall.

“Mr. Astor! I've been looking for you," Todd said.

I turned towards him, wondering what Shelby wasn't telling me about Todd.

“I was hoping I could have a word with you, sir. Alone."