Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 530

Chapter 530

Gwen’s POV

How did I know so much about wine?

I really thought about it. I searched through the hazy fog that was my memory, looking for some logical explanation. Some reason that made sense.

But all I found was… emptiness.

And then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, the answer came out.

“I don’t know.”

Nick frowned, confusion clear in his green eyes.

“Maybe you told me?” I suggested, clinging to any explanation that sounded even remotely plausible. “Is

is this my first time here?”

He nodded slowly.

“Yeah. It’s the first time you’ve been on the property.”

And then, like a dam breaking, the questions started pouring out of me without any control. It was like my thoughts skipped every filter and spilled out raw and desperate.

“I came… I came to meet your family? Is that why I’m here? Is that why I didn’t know anyone before? But… shouldn’t we have done that when we were still dating?” I was breathing fast now, the words tumbling over each other. “Do you know my family?”

Nick took a moment to answer. I saw something pass through his eyes. Something that looked like guilt.

Or discomfort. Before he finally said,

“Our engagement happened… suddenly.”

Suddenly.

The word echoed in my head, raising more questions than answers.

“Why am I not wearing a ring?” I asked abruptly, looking down at my hand.

That was when I heard it.

A soft, feminine giggle.

I turned sharply and saw Paula leaning against one of the barrels, watching us with undisguised interest. When she realized I’d noticed her, she didn’t even bother pretending she hadn’t been listening.

“So this is the crazy one?” she said, and there was something in the way she said it that made my blood

boil.

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“Paula,” Nick snapped sharply.

“Crazy?” I repeated, my voice coming out louder than I intended. “Did you just call me crazy?”

Paula raised her hands in a mock gesture of peace as she walked toward us.

“Relax. You’ve got to be a little crazy to agree to marry this guy,” she said, giving Nick’s shoulder a friendly pat. A little too friendly. “I’m Paula. Best friend. Practically a sister.” She held out her hand.

“We grew up together,” Nick added quickly, like that explained everything.

I shook Paula’s hand. Her grip was firm and confident. And there was something assessing in the way she looked at me. Like she was measuring me. Deciding if I was good enough.

And that shoulder pat. The way she moved close to him without hesitation. The obvious intimacy between them.

I couldn’t stop the stab of jealousy that pierced my chest.

“So…” Paula tilted her head, curiosity shining in her dark eyes. “How did you two meet?”

The question caught me off guard.

I looked from Paula to Nick and back again, completely lost.

“Didn’t Nick tell you?” I asked, genuinely surprised. “Aren’t you best friends?”

Paula shrugged, but there was something sharp in her smile now.

“Oh, he’s kind of… closed off when it comes to relationships, you know? Afraid I’ll scare his girlfriends away after what happened with the-”

“Paula,” Nick cut in again, and this time his voice carried a clear warning.

She snapped her mouth shut, but not before shooting me a look that clearly said: there’s a story there.

Still, she kept her eyes on me, waiting for an answer. I tried to reach into my memory, desperately searching for any fragment about how Nick and I had met. It had to be there somewhere, right?

All I found was that same frustrating fog.

“We met… I…” The words died in my throat.

“Through mutual friends,” Nick said softly, filling the uncomfortable silence.

I looked at him, grateful for the save, and nodded.

“Yes. Mutual friends.”

It made sense, didn’t it? That’s how people met these days. Nothing strange about it. Almost boring.

Paula, clearly not satisfied with letting the topic drop, continued.

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“And you two have so much in common, apparently.” She gestured vaguely toward the wine glasses. You know a lot about wine too. Do you work with that?”

“She works in marketing,” Nick answered before I could even open my mouth.

“Oh.” Paula studied me with renewed interest. “So how do you know so much about wine? Is it just a hobby?”

“Maybe…” I started, unsure. “But-”

And then, like someone had pressed play on a recording inside my head, the words came flooding out:

“Digital marketing consultant specializing in rural tourism. Worked on campaigns for small businesses in Castoria and is now looking for new clients to build an independent portfolio.

“I’ve had clients in that area,” I said, more confident now, clinging to the explanation like a lifeline. ” Wineries. Rural properties. You have to understand the product to sell it well, right?”

It sounded logical out loud. It sounded true.

“Perfect!” Paula smiled, and this time it looked genuine. Almost enthusiastic. “Then you must have tons of ideas to help around here. We can always use some marketing support.” She exchanged a look with Nick that I couldn’t quite read. “You know what? Why don’t you stay for dinner tonight, just with the family? That way we can get to know each other better.” She crossed her arms and looked at me directly. “After all, that’s why you came this week, isn’t it? To meet your fiancé’s family.”

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