Page 42 of Billion Dollar Revenge

Summer sits up on the bed.

I spin around and step barefoot toward my bathroom. “What’s it for anyway?” Summer asks.

I put foundation on my face. “He wants to reward his staff for all their hard work.” Once I’m finished with that step, I add my concealer next.

“Now that’s a freaking boss!” she sing-songs.

An airy laugh bubbles out of me as I pat my undereyes gently with the makeup sponge. “Yeah. I’m taking notes for my studio.”

“I’m sure you are going to come up with your own creative ways to make your staff happy.”

I hum as I concentrate on my eyeliner next, taking my time due to my shaky hands.

She lifts herself up from my bed, turning to leave my bedroom. “Well, I’ll go downstairs if you don’t need me anymore.”

I turn and blurt, “Wait, help me pick my shoes.”

She spins around to face me again, trekking back. “Finish your makeup, and I’ll wait for you.”

I finish with mascara, bronzer, blush, and my mauve lipstick. It doesn’t take long because I wear the same look every day. It's only the eyeliner that is more dramatic tonight.

“Alright, so...” I walk barefoot to my closet and pull out the two stilettos. One black and one silver.

I slip one of each on, then hold up the bottom of my dress and show her.

“The black,” she says, pointing without thinking.

“That’s what I was thinking too. Thanks,” I reply, then slip them on and grab my purse as we head downstairs, awaiting the knock.

Five minutes later, the heavy knock comes, and Summer's eyes flick to mine. She’s wearing a smirk and it doesn’t help calm my nerves.

They’ve met before, and I know she thinks he’s hot. She wants me to hook up with him, and I wouldn’t say I haven’t thought about it. But I just broke up with Bobby, and my work life is in disarray. I need to sort myself out and establish a routine first.

She takes a seat on the sofa, peering over it as I open the door. He looks incredible in a black tux and bow tie, his hair swept back with his natural wave tamed. But it’s not what has me melting on the spot. It’s the smile he’s wearing. He barely smiles. So I can only assume that smile is for me. “You look handsome,” I blurt out.

His gaze seductively caresses my body as if his hands are on me. When he brings his eyes back up, he announces, “And you look beautiful.”

He pushes a bouquet toward me. My mouth opens as I try to get words out. Taking them from his hands, I welcome the warm brush of his touch. I stare at the mix of white roses, white orchids, and a few others. It’s stunning. The subtle fragrance hits the air, and it’s all tied together with delicate lace.

“Thank you. These are so unexpected,” I manage to say after a beat, my voice wobbling slightly.

“When a man picks a woman up for a date, he brings her flowers.”

I feel dizzy, not from his words, but from the light they shine on what I’ve been missing all this time. I’ve never received flowers from anyone, yet Evan is pretending to date me and brings the biggest bunch I have ever seen. This doesn’t feel very fake to me…

His eyes search mine, as if trying to read my thoughts. “Is everything okay?” he asks, concern creeping into his voice.

Suddenly, the bouquet feels heavy. “Yes, everything’s fine. It just…no guy has given me flowers before.”

His eyebrows knit together, and he takes a step closer, the space between us sparking electricity. “Well, you deserve it,” he says. “You deserve so much more.”

The sincerity in his words makes my heart skip a beat, and I clutch the flowers tighter, trying to steady myself. The room closes in around us, the air thick and I open my mouth to respond, but the words catch in my throat.

He reaches out and gently lifts my chin so our eyes meet. “You okay?” he asks again, his voice softer now.

I nod slowly, unable to look away from his intense gaze. “Yeah,” I breathe, my voice barely audible. “I think I am now.”

“Good.” Dropping his hand from my chin, I swallow a whimper at the loss.

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