Page 32 of The Billionaire's Proposal

“Hack into my company’s computer system.”

“Now?”

“Yes. I want to see how good you are.”

Jonna’s eyes widen like it’s the last sentence she would hear come from my mouth. Her fingers work furiously for ten minutes, focused on breaking through our firewalls. We have state-of-the-art technology and have never seen a breach. Ten minutes later, her fingers come to a stop, and my phone rings.

“Mr. Worthington, someone is in our system.”

“How did they get in?”

“Why are you calm, and I’m not?” he asks.

“Probably because your job is on the line. Figure out how the hacker got in, and I’ll see you in my office at nine tomorrow morning.”

Despite the initial shock, I can’t help but feel a sense of admiration for her skills and determination. As I mull it over, I realize that Jonna could be a valuable asset who can help strengthen our cybersecurity measures.

“Jonna, I need to make a call.” Three phone calls later, I come back to the table. “Check your email.”

When she opens the email, she grins from ear to ear. “How? So quick?” she asks, while perusing the letter from the FBI agreeing to let her work for me, and I’ll pay the ticket company’s losses.

“Will you come work for me?”

Before I’ve begun to give her the details of what the job would entail, she quickly jumps out of the booth, so I slide out, and she hugs me. “Yes.”

“My office tomorrow at nine. Our tech team wears company shirts so you’re easily recognizable. You’ll be getting an email from Human Resources who will get your sizes and have everything ready for your first day.” I grab her hand. “You’re going to do big things, Jonna, and you’ll have state-of-the-art technology to work with.”

“Thanks, Mr. Worthington.”

We order lunch and discuss everything from her favorite beach and movies to the steps she took to get past Triple W’s firewalls. I’m eager for her to join our team and bring a fresh, young approach to the safety of our company information.

I didn’t anticipate having any free time because these “dates” usually are all day and into the evening. My first thought is to go to the marina and surprise Cameron, but the boat isn’t in the slip.

My sister Waverly doesn’t live far, so I stop by her house. She surrounds me with her arms at the surprise. “What are you doing here in the middle of the day?”

“I missed my sister.”

She lifts her brow. “I’m going ring shopping for Benson. Do you want to come?”

Waverly studies my face. Even though she’s younger, she’s a mother hen, destined to be a wife and mom. She’s a professional singer and painfully shy with anyone she hasn’t known for a long time or family, so she cuts demos for songwriters. It was my plan that she would sing at my wedding. My wedding. I let out a sigh. “I’d love to. Do you have a tiara for your wedding day?”

“No, I was thinking of just wearing flowers in my hair.”

After placing a peck on her cheek, I say, “I’m buying my favorite sister a tiara, because you’re the princess in this family.”

“What’s going on with the boat captain? You’re in love, and I’m so happy that you’re finally happy. You deserve a woman to come home to. To share your life with. To go on vacations with Benson and me. I loved Phoebe like my sister, but that doesn’t mean I can’t love someone else you love just as much.”

We walk to the car, and Barclay takes us to the chic shopping district, dropping us off in front of Promises, an upscale fine jewelry store, akin to Tiffany’s. Waverly asks my opinion on several rings for my best friend and ends up deciding on a thick platinum band without diamonds.

I ask the jeweler to show Waverly a selection of tiaras. While she’s in the other room, trying them on, I peruse the counter, and a sudden pang hits me. This time, it’s not guilt. I can’t take my eyes off the breathtaking diamond. It’s calling to me—asking me to run my fingers over it. To imagine it on Cameron’s finger. The jeweler sees me eyeing it and removes it from the case. The ring shines.

My sister prances out from the other room in a small tiara with diamonds in two solid rows. It’s simple and understated, perfect for Waverly. “You are gorgeous. Benson won’t be able to take his eyes off you.” I look to the salesman. “We’ll take it.” I wink at him, and he darts his eyes to the ring I placed on the counter. His smile widens. “Yes, sir. I’ll take care of everything.”

My sister is a part owner of Triple W. However, she never wanted to be involved. She has plenty of her own money, but I want to buy this for the first girl who stole my heart. When Mom came home from the hospital with Waverly dressed in pink that matched her skin, I was in love. I remember the first time her fingers curled around my ten-year-old hand. She leans her head against my shoulder. “You’re the best brother.”

“Yeah, when the other two aren’t around.”

Barclay drops her off and takes me home as well. My mind tells me I’m acting irrationally. We’ve only known each other a few weeks, but my heart says otherwise. Tonight, I’m telling Cameron about the part I played in Phoebe’s death. Then the ball’s in her court.

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