Page 37 of The Billionaires

Turns out she was able to set up a video call with the Florida landowner today, as I hoped.

Great.

I check in with Elijah and learn he’s dropped off Juno and is already waiting for me by the beach entrance.

“So, do we have a deal?” I ask the landowner—a man who’s got a decade on Gram while being mentally sharper than some young middle-management types I deal with at my company.

The weather-beaten skin around his pale eyes crinkles. “Call me old-fashioned, but I still like to meet face to face before making an important decision like this.”

Face to face? I’m not known for being polite or anything, but even I know it would be in poor taste for me to ask someone of this guy’s age to come to me. That means a trip to Florida. I consider it. Even though I’ve had surveyors examine the land, and I’ve seen everything I need via drones, it might not be a bad idea to take it all in with my own eyes too. Novus Rome is important enough.

“An in-person meeting sounds like a great idea,” I say, then work out all the details with him.

Just as I end the video call, my iPhone rings.

It’s Gram calling, so I pick up.

“Lucius, pumpkin, what’s new on the dating front?” she asks.

Going straight for the jugular, huh? “I had a nice lunch with Juno,” I say. “And tomorrow, we’re going to a fundraiser together.”

Speaking of that, I wonder if she’s received her clothing? Maybe I should?—

“When are you going to introduce us?” Gram asks.

I’ve thought about this already, and the longer I can postpone it, the better. Juno and I need some time to work out the kinks. To that end, I’ve prepared a devious stratagem worthy of Eidith.

“I meant to talk to you about that, Gram,” I say. “When do you think it would be a good idea for her to meet you? Or for me to meet her folks?”

The line grows silent. I can almost visualize the thoughtful expression on my grandmother’s face.

Eventually, she sighs. “As much as I want to see her soon, you don’t want to rush this part of the relationship. For these young women, meeting the family is a big step, and we don’t want to spook her.”

Even though my scheme is working, I feel guilt instead of triumph. “Oh, Gram. I’m sure you wouldn’t spook her.”

“Let’s not take that risk,” Gram says firmly. “I’ve waited a long time for you to find someone. I can wait a bit longer.”

Hmm. Does she think that if I lost Juno, I’d take another thirty-eight years to get a girlfriend?

“Do keep me up to speed on how things are progressing,” she continues. “I’ll decide when the time is right… unless she brings it up.”

There. I’ve just bought myself plenty of time.

“How are you feeling?”

She chuckles. “Amazing. I don’t know what it is, but my sugar and blood pressure are the lowest they’ve been, my back pain is nonexistent without any drugs, and even my bowel movement today was that of a twenty-year-old.”

If all this is corroborated in her bodyguard’s report and is sustainable, I might want to “date” Juno forever and ever.

“I should probably go,” Gram says. “Aleksy is taking me to his favorite Polish restaurant.”

“Okay, have fun,” I say as I decide to raise the bodyguard’s salary.

“Call me the morning after the fundraiser,” Gram says. “And be sure to take pictures.”

As she hangs up, I realize pictures are a good idea. In fact, I’ll hire someone to take flattering ones. As a bonus, it’ll make it hard for the paparazzi who waste their time stalking me to sell theirs. Who’ll pay for something that’s free?

An alarm catches my attention.

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