Read Online Best Friends With the Billionaire (The Rochesters) by Coleen Kwan - Free Book Online

dejection in her brought him up short. Her mom and sister were so dismissive of her choices, and even though she’d grown up expecting this attitude, he saw it still hurt her. And seeing Cassie hurt made his gut burn with acid.
    “I think it’s incredible what Cassie’s achieved,” he said. “She’s made a new life for herself in a foreign country, and she has a job she’s good at and enjoys. Not many people can say they’ve done all that. I really admire her.”
    Cassie let out a tiny gasp while her mom and sister stared at Kirk.
    Audrey eked out a polite smile. “Yes, well, she’s gone her own way.” She turned to Lillian. “Honey, could you lend me a hand in the kitchen?”
    When they were alone, Cassie nudged him in the side with her elbow. “‘I really admire her?’” Amusement bubbled in her voice. “Laying it on a bit thick, weren’t you? But thanks, anyway.”
    “Any time.” He tilted his head toward her. “I think I get why you went through that up-yours-Mom phase.”
    “That’s over. I know my mom and Lillian aren’t people I’d want to mix with, but you don’t get to choose your family, and they’re all I’ve got.”
    “I understand.” He knew all about difficult family members, what with his competitive cousin, his remote father…even his rebellious little sister gave him cause for concern.
    “And it’s nice of you to put up with them for my sake. We only have to make it through dinner, and then we can leave.”
    “Relax, will you? I want to sing your praises a bit more.”
    “They won’t believe you if you overdo it. It’s like perfume—a little goes a long way.”
    As she led him into the adjoining dining alcove, he mused that Cassie wasn’t used to praise from her family or him. He wasn’t joking when he’d said he admired her achievements. He did. It wasn’t easy moving to a foreign country and starting all over again, but Cassie had succeeded. Not for the first time he wondered what had prompted her to do it. She’d never expressed any burning desire to visit Australia before she’d abruptly picked up and left.
    They dined on salmon, asparagus, and baked potatoes. At least, Kirk was served baked potatoes, while the women had a pile of boiled spinach each. Beside him, Cassie sighed as she longingly eyed his baked potatoes, but Audrey was watching her like a hawk.
    “I’m taking you shopping tomorrow for wedding shoes,” Audrey declared to Cassie. “Let’s hope we can find something in your size.”
    Cassie rolled her eyes at Kirk. “As you can gather, I’m something of a freak in my family.”
    “Freak is good. You were awesome at hockey.” He glanced at Audrey and Lillian. “Did you ever see her play? She was an incredible right wing.”
    He and his housemates had often turned out to watch Cassie play. On the field she had displayed an athletic ferocity that belied her self-effacing nature. Even now he could picture her racing down the field, her figure lean and strong, her blue hair shimmering in the sun.
    “Was she really?” Audrey dabbed her lips with her linen napkin.
    Kirk gritted his teeth at her blasé attitude. “Yeah,” he insisted. “And she’s great at basketball, too.”
    Leaning toward him with an ingratiating smile, Audrey said, “So tell us about your work. It must be so exciting running a family empire like yours.”
    “It’s not always exciting, but it’s definitely challenging.”
    “Challenging, yes, of course.” Audrey had stopped eating, focusing all her attention on him. “But you do have some compensation, like private jets and helicopters and limousines.”
    Cassie made a choking noise, which she quickly smothered. “I enjoy my work,” Kirk said, trying to be diplomatic.
    “And when you’re not working? I suppose being a Rochester means you’re a member at the Pacific Union Club.” Audrey let out a trill of laughter. “My father loved going there.”
    “The PUC?” Lillian chimed in. “I’ve been to a dinner