Page 43 of Secret Billionaire

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Faye’s cell rang and she saw that it was her older brother Kyle. “Hey big brother. What’s cooking?”

“I wanted to invite you out to dinner at the Yacht club tonight. I know it’s last minute, but it’s Ella’s birthday and I thought I’d surprise her. Finn will be there, and Dad and Mom flew in unexpectedly this afternoon. Griffin’s coming too.”

“What time?”

“Around seven. You can meet us in the lounge.”

“I’ll have to close the bar, but I’ve been dead most Tuesdays anyway. I’m not too thrilled about the Mom and Dad part but maybe their attention will be on Finn, rather than on me and my bar endeavor.”

“Don’t count on it. Mom’s been driving me crazy with questions in her own particularly smothering sort of way.”

“Lovely.”

“I’ll try to run interference for you.”

“While Griffin stirs the pot,” she said, laughing.

“When do you expect to have your grand opening?”

“I’m looking at Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. I just hired a young guy named Ty to bus tables and do odd jobs around here. The construction company…well the owner himself, is moving right along on the outdoor seating area. I was actually slammed last Saturday night. Jesse stepped behind the bar and helped me serve customers. I advertised karaoke and had no idea of the crowd it would draw.”

“Jesse huh? Griffin mentioned you had some hot construction dude working for you and you made him lie to him about his identity. What’s that all about?”

“Long story and let’s just say, I’m an idiot.”

Kyle laughed, the warmth in his voice comforting and reassuring. He had always had her back while they were growing up, and with their crazy lifestyle, replete with boarding schools and nannies, she’d needed it. He’d run interference for her and Griffin more times than she could recall and had buffered them from the worst of their father and mother. Whereas her father had been cold and aloof with unrealistically high expectations, her mother, a famous French model prior to their marriage, had vacillated between her extreme preoccupation with self and smothering her children with a false sense of what mothering actually entailed.

“If it were anybody but you and Ella, I’d say no…but I’ll come.”

“Great, I miss you sis, it will be good to catch up. No gifts. We have everything we could possibly need…and then some.”

Faye’s lips twisted, “The downside of a billionaire lifestyle. I miss you too. See you at seven.”

As she hung up the phone, Ty appeared at her door holding a gorgeous vase, filled with red roses and fern cuttings. Faye’s cheeks flushed with pleasure at the surprise. He must be missing me as much as I am him. She tore open the card and inside it said Forever yours, J. And yes, she was living proof that hearts really can skip a beat… hers was racing while the butterflies in her stomach somersaulted.

Ty had a big grin on his face and said, “I’m taking notes.”

She was still breathless but managed to croak out, “Did the florist just deliver these?”

“Yep. I’m taking off if there isn’t anything else you need me to do.”

“I’m right behind you.” She rolled her eyes, “I’m meeting my dysfunctional family for dinner tonight. Fancy. I’ve got to figure out what I’m going to wear.”

“Want me to wait for you?”

“No, go.”

“Okay, see ya tomorrow.” He stood shuffling from one foot to the other, hands stuffed in his pockets, obviously with something more to say.

Faye arched her eyebrows and waited.

“Um, Faye?”

“Yes?”

“I really appreciate you giving me a chance. Most people wouldn’t have.”

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