Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 1243

Penny thought it over, then caught Harlene’s anxious, hopeful gaze and, for once, let herself smile.

“Sure,” she said, nodding. “But my English is pretty bad. I want to learn from you, Miss Harlene. Can we swap? I help you, you help me?”

“Deal!” Harlene agreed right away, her whole face lighting up. “I promise, any time I’m free, I’ll teach you!”

They got along instantly, chatting as they pulled out their phones to swap numbers, already acting like newfound friends.

Up front, Emmy had kept quiet, but hearing the two of them warmed her up a little. She caught herself smiling, just at the corner of her mouth, without even thinking about it. Today had just worn her out, body and mind.

The car rolled smoothly down the highway, and after only half an hour, Emmy’s eyelids started to get heavy, sleep tugging at her until she could barely keep her eyes open.

James kept glancing her way, noticing how hard she was struggling to stay upright and alert when she could barely keep from falling over. Something in him softened, and he reached out, slipping his arm gently around her shoulders.

“Sleep,” he murmured, his voice close at her ear.

He shifted his position, making his arm more of a pillow, inviting her to settle against him. Emmy was too tired to argue, too drained to even pretend to resist. She just leaned in, seeking out his warmth and the quiet comfort of someone to hold on to.

In no time at all, she was completely out, breathing slow and even. Her hand, which had tried to pull away at first, ended up turning in his, their fingers finding each other as she relaxed. She drifted with her whole body pressed softly up against him, her arm hugging his, her cheek resting on his shoulder like she’d fallen into the safest place in the world.

To James, it felt like something had filled his entire chest, soft and sweet and impossible to explain. He looked down at her, at the peaceful little face nestled against him, and for a while, he just let himself watch over her.

The car was quiet now. Everyone’s energy had faded, conversations dying away. Harlene and Penny were both knocked out in the back, leaning against each other, their heads tilted at awkward angles. James was the only one holding on to perfect posture, eyes shut, but looking like he could pop awake at any moment.

Hours in the van went by before anyone really noticed. As the lights of Boston came into view and the car turned toward the city, John finally woke up, glancing back without thinking.

What he saw made him pause.

Her face went red. She flailed around for a tissue, wanting to wipe it away, but James didn’t even seem fazed. He just reached over, rubbed the spot with his thumb, and shrugged.

“It’s fine. I brought a change of clothes,” he said, his voice low and still thick with sleep.

Emmy hovered with the tissue, feeling awkward, before letting her hand drop back down.

Everyone started to climb out of the car. A burst of icy wind and snowflakes rushed in, waking them all up quick. The streetlights made the snow glow golden as it fell, laying a fresh, silent layer over the campus.

Harlene giggled, catching snow in her hand and turning to Emmy.

“This might be the last snow we get this winter. I can’t believe we made it just in time.” She waved. “I’m heading back to my dorm. See you tomorrow!”

She called John over and the two of them started off, but John stopped after a few steps with his suitcase. He hesitated, looking back, before finally turning and walking back toward James.