Page 94 of Billion Dollar Mistake

“Mr. Lincoln again? You’re the teacher's favorite,” Poppy adds.

“Are you jealous, Poppy?” I say without thinking.

The pang of jealousy twisting in my gut feels foreign.

He’d never be interested in her, right?

I trust him.

My sudden insecurity rush makes me want to text him.

Nova: You didn’t want a new contract to stay in contact with me, did you?

Jeremy: I don’t need to do that, do I?

Nova: No. I just had to check you weren’t trying to work with me again.

Jeremy: Oh, I was one hundred percent doing that.

Nova: You’re crazy.

Jeremy: About you. Yeah, nuts.

Jealousy is replaced with desire. A more peaceful feeling. Something I needed to finish the day off.

And the next few hours fly by. It's four o’clock and it’s time to go boxing.

I drive to the gym, and when I arrive, I scan the parking lot for his car, but it’s not here yet. I’m relieved I can get inside and freshen up. I change and tie my hair back. I’m in my black sports bra and black shorts ready to take on the bag.

I wrap each of my newly-healed knuckles, knowing I’m about to bust them open again. It happens every time I box.

I finish wrapping both hands. When I look over my shoulder, I’m disappointed. He’s still not here…

The nerves are getting to me, so I decide to box to take the edge off. No more waiting. It’s just me and the bag. I jab, punch, hook, uppercut, repeatedly. I do it for what seems like ages.

I’ve worked up a serious sweat.

“I need to watch out.”

Jeremy's deep velvety voice sends a shock through me, causing me to jump. I spin around with a smile.

He looms tall in an all-gray dark suit, white shirt and gray tie. His hair is impeccably styled, showing no signs he’s been at work all day.

“Are you planning to wear that?” I ask, eyeing his attire.

He steps closer to me, his presence commanding. “I don’t plan to work out.”

“Then why did you come?”

He grabs my chin, tilting my head back, and delivers a brief but intense kiss. His heated breath whispers across my lips as he murmurs, “Isn’t it obvious?”

“No,” I reply, meeting his amused gaze.

“To hang out with you.”

“You’re cutting it close. I need to leave in ten minutes. I thought you’d be here waiting when I arrived,” I confess.

He smirks. “I would’ve but a meeting ran overtime.”

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