Page 40 of Secret Billionaire

“Tell me what your life was like before you bought the bar.”

“Hmm, let’s see…in college I majored in English, with a minor in fine art. Lasted until mid-junior year when I came down with a huge case of the travel bug. Dropped out and eventually, after several years of exploring the world, landed in New Zealand where I put the English to good use and started writing a travel blog. Landed a gig with a major travel magazine and did that until I moved back here.”

“That’s impressive.”

“Funny that I ended up buying a bar…pretty much on a whim. I was rudderless when I first returned to the States. Healing from my breakup, grieving, then I ran into someone who told me the place was for sale, so I went for it.” She bit her bottom lip. “Much to the dismay of my friends and family.”

Jesse listened thoughtfully, then said, “I told you I went to college, but what I didn’t tell you is that I quit my senior year.” Faye caught a brief glimpse of sadness in his eyes before he continued. “Dad had a heart attack and I came home. When I dropped out Dad was so angry with me, he could’ve chewed up nails and spit out a barbed wire fence.”

“It was important to him,” Faye said, her eye’s soft pools of warmth.

“Yeah, it became a battle of wills. He insisted I finish school and all I wanted was to take over the family construction business. Obviously, I won.”

“How is your dad now?”

“I worry about him a lot. He likes his beer, he loves all the foods he shouldn’t…bigger than life. My hero. But his heart attack was mild and after a double bypass they say he’s as good as new.”

“I’m glad. That must have been a huge shock for you and your family.”

“Taught me to never take a day for granted. You never know if it’s going to be the last time you do something. From the life altering to the mundane…last time you hug your mama, last time you wave goodbye, the last time you tie your shoes.”

Faye tenderly brushed his hair back from his forehead. “I’m glad your dad is okay. I can’t wait to meet him.”

“He’s going to love you.” He reached for the TV remote and turned it on, channel surfing. “What do you want to watch? Your choice.”

“Rom-Com for sure.”

“I knew you were going to say that.”

“I’ve been dying to see Always Be My Maybe. I heard it was really funny.”

“Sounds good to me.”

They both fell asleep halfway through the movie, wrapped in each other’s arms. Sometime during the night, Jesse woke up and picked Faye up, carrying her to bed. She barely roused as he pulled back the duvet and tucked her in. He tenderly kissed her forehead and crawled in beside her, then promptly fell back to sleep with her spooned up against him.

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