Bidding On The Billionaire (The Sherbrookes of Newport Book 8) by Christina Tetreault

next to his wife and put an arm around her shoulders. He’d never imagined his oldest brother settling down, but not only had he gotten married, he now had a son. “She didn’t go out with him because she wanted to.”
    “Are you talking about Brooklyn and Trevor Jones?” Trent asked. “I saw them leaving together when I walked in the building tonight.”
    Derek nodded. “Her father arranged it.”
    “Ouch.” Addie cringed. “Getting set up on a first date is hard enough. I can’t imagine going on one my dad arranged for me.” A slight tremor went though her body. “But who knows, it might work out for them.”
    Why couldn’t anyone but him see how wrong the whole thing was? “Novak’s hoping Brooklyn and Trevor get together because he wants to acquire Atlantic Coast Marketing; it’s Dimension’s biggest rival.”
    Addie scrunched up her eyebrows. “Back up a little because I don’t know what or who you’re talking about.”
    Occasionally he forgot Addie had only entered Trent’s life the previous summer and wasn’t familiar with all the people they knew. “Brooklyn’s father owns Dimension Marketing in New York. Trevor’s grandfather, Lawrence Jones, is the president of Atlantic Coast, another big firm. Novak wants to acquire Atlantic Coast, and he’s hoping a marriage between his daughter and Jones’s grandson will seal the deal.”
    “No way. People don’t do those things anymore. Brooklyn’s dad must think they’ll get along well together. Maybe they have a lot of things in common.”
    “I’ve met Brooklyn’s father and Lawrence Jones, and wouldn’t put it past either of them to do something like that,” Trent offered.
    “I’m not making it up. She promised her father she’d get to know him.” Pain radiated along his jaw, an indication he was clenching his teeth again. It happened whenever he thought about the situation between Brooklyn and Trevor.
    Addie frowned and shrugged a shoulder. “Still doesn’t mean they won’t have fun together.”
    “Novak’s an ass for asking her to do this.” He kept from saying such things to Brooklyn, but with her not around, he could say how he really felt. “He could’ve asked her sister instead.”
    Trent choked on the drink he’d swallowed and coughed several times. “Milan with Trevor, now that’s an entertaining idea. And maybe Addie’s right. Trevor’s okay. Maybe things will work out between him and Brooklyn.”
    He’d had enough of this particular conversation. Trevor could be on his way to sainthood and still not be the right person for Brooklyn. “Do you think we can move on to something else?”
    Addie stared at him for a few heartbeats, once again making him feel as if she were tearing apart his personal thoughts. Then she suddenly smiled and nodded. The gesture had him wondering what she thought she’d suddenly discovered about him.
    “I had lunch with Aunt Marilyn yesterday,” Trent said, taking control of the conversation and obliging Derek’s request.
    Since they worked in the same building, Trent and their aunt often had lunch together during the week. Once in a while, he even joined them when it fit into his schedule. However, since she’d made her surprise visit to his condo, he hadn’t spoken to her or stopped in her office to say hello.
    “All she talked about was the upcoming auction. I still can’t believe she talked you into it.”
    Great. They went from one annoying topic to another. Perhaps he should’ve taken Gray up on his offer and joined him instead tonight.
    “Scott agreeing makes sense. But you?” Trent smirked and Derek wished he could wipe the expression off his face. “Almost wish I could go and see you parading around on the stage. Are they going to make you put on a swimsuit?”
    “It’s not a beauty pageant, moron.” Why had he thought visiting his brother was a good way to spend an evening? Kendrick moved in his arms, and he looked down at him. Right, he’d wanted to spend time