Page 18 of Faking It with my Small Town Billionaire

“Too busy to consider your inheritance? Your future hangs in the balance, son. I would have thought that fact would be sitting at the forefront of your mind.”

Like I don’t know that already. It’s like he’s testing me to my limits. Sending me back to the place he knows will rile me and throwing me a curveball just to keep things interesting. Maybe he’s just bored and being highly entertained by my misery.

“I’ll get right on it once I’ve finished saving the world,” I spit.

Pops smirks derisively. “The clock is ticking, Orson. This venture will continue well past the deadline. I suggest you become adept at juggling both problems at the same time.”

“Are we done?” I say, pushing myself from the chair. “Is this all you brought me up to talk about?”

Pops smiles amicably. “Pretty much.”

“Unbelievable,” I huff. “You talk about clocks ticking, and you have me wasting my time with a conversation that we could have had over the phone,”

“Yes, but then I wouldn’t be able to look you in the eye and see what is really going on.”

This comment angers me even more, and without another word, I turn on my heels and storm across the room. When I get to the door, I spin around and glare at him.

“There’s this new technology, Pops. It’s called Zoom. If you left your mausoleum once in a while”—I nod my head at his office—“you might find the times have changed.”

I spin to leave, but I halt at the sound of his voice. With my back to him, he says, “It’s not the same as being in the room with a man, Orson,” he growls. “And your inheritance is no small thing. Time is running out. I suggest you start doing something about your little dilemma.”

On the flight back to the city, I’m livid. What does he expect me to do? Pick a woman off the street? But then a crazy idea hits me. It’s completely nuts, but I’m desperate. And besides, it might kill two birds with one stone.

Retrieving my phone from my pocket, I text Lily Harper.

8

Lily

Since the meeting at the school, there has certainly been a buzz around the town. Jasmine and I have both noticed it. It’s like there’s a feeling of hopefulness. Of course, there are some people who are clearly a bit sour about the whole thing. Like Cindy Caldwell, who called in for her usual order a few days later.

Jasmine is always pleasant, but even she struggled.

“Your usual, Mrs. Caldwell?” Jasmine said, smiling across the counter.

“Yes please, Jasmine.” Cindy was rummaging in her handbag when she continued. “Well, it seems the lord and savior has arrived.” Her tone was laden with sarcasm, and for a moment, I was a bit confused.

“I’m sorry?” I said.

“Donovan,” she snapped back. “Now that he’s arrived, it looks like all our problems are over.”

With her back to Cindy, while packing the woman’s order, Jasmine threw me a glance, clearly surprised and wary. With the items now inside, she turned back to the counter and handed Cindy her box.

“There you are, Mrs. Caldwell.”

I’ve never heard it in all the years she’s been working with me, but Jasmine’s tone was a little strained.

As Cindy handed her money over, she continued on her tirade. “I suppose we’ll all be expected to grovel with gratitude when he’s finished. Well, you can count me out. The man was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.”

“And a target on his back, too,” I countered, not willing to stand there and let her get away with attacking a man who wasn’t there to defend himself.

Cindy’s eyes widened, and then she glared at me. “Well, whose fault was that?”

“Clearly his.” I shrugged, my tone heavy with sarcasm. “I mean, I’m sure he asked to be born into the Donovan family, right? Knowing the burden they would have to carry for the rest of their lives, who wouldn’t?”

From the corner of my eye, I could see Jasmine trying to swallow a grin. Cindy was not as amused.

“Well, if old man Donovan hadn’t been such a swindler—”

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