Page 28 of Like You Love Me

There was nothing London wouldn’t do. Nothing.

Chapter 7

Bianca decided to call it a day at four o’clock and began gathering her belongings. She spent a productive afternoon putting the finishing touches on a marketing project for the California region that Jabarie had requested. She and Mary had a PowerPoint presentation to draft in the morning. A reminder message had flashed across her cell phone at three, reminding her to pick up Sierra, who stayed after school to work on the set design for the spring play. She smiled proudly as she thought about her daughter’s involvement in extracurricular activities. She was always quick to volunteer and participate in things that promoted her school and the community.

She was indeed a Beaumont.

Bianca stepped out of her office fifteen minutes later and shut the door behind her.

“Leaving boss?” Mary said.

“Yes, I need to pick up Sierra from play practice before heading to my parent’s house for dinner. I just emailed you the report for your review.”

She nodded knowingly. “I will start drafting the presentation first thing in the morning.”

“Thank you,” Bianca replied with a smile.

“Be careful out there,” Mary warned. “They are predicting three to five more inches of snow to fall tonight.”

Bianca shivered at the thought of being stuck on the side of the road in the snow again. A flashback caused her to startle.

“Bianca, are you okay?”

She blinked and saw the worry on Mary’s round face. She didn’t want to worry her. “No, I’m fine just thought about something I need to pick up at the drugstore,” she lied and clutched the briefcase close to her chest.

“Well, get it quick and head home.”

Bianca nodded. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Make sure you get out of here before it gets started,” she called over her shoulder.

“Have a good evening!”

Bianca made her way to the bank of elevators, anxious to get out of the building. She pushed a button and didn’t have to wait long before the doors opened, and she stepped inside. As the doors began to close, an arm stuck in between the doors caused them to stop. She looked up to see her brother Jabarie and smiled with relief.

“Hey, you,” she said and moved aside so he could enter.

“Hello, Squirt.” Jabarie stepped inside, then walked over and pressed a warm kiss on his sister’s cheek. “Sorry I had to reschedule our afternoon meeting. I’ve been in conference calls all day.”

She shrugged a slender shoulder. “No worry. I have plenty of work to keep me busy. I can give you an update after dinner.”

“Sounds good.” He pushed the button, and the door closed before he swung around to face her. “Are things starting to feel back to normal?”

“Not quite. I still dread walking out to my car.”

His eyebrows bunched together. “You know we can assign someone to escort you in and out of the building.”

Bianca waved a hand dismissively. “I don’t need that.”

“Why not? Sheyna is due next week, and Jace has already assigned her a detail until she feels safe. I will have him do the same for you.”

“I don’t need that,” she repeated sternly.

Jabarie held up a hand in surrender. “Okay, then how about you let your big brother walk you to your car?”

She looped her arm through his and grinned. “Nowthat, I would like that very much.”

Twenty minutes later, Bianca parked her car in the lot then hurried toward the visitors’ entrance to Clinton Elementary School. The building was new, less than two years old, and was attended by several of the Beaumont children. Despite how bougie her parents had been while growing up, Roger and Jessica wanted their children to experience public schools. Bianca and her brothers all wanted the same for their children despite a new private school in the area. It was an easy decision because Sheraton Beach had some of the top-rated schools in the state.

Bianca stepped through the double doors and walked toward the gymnasium where Sierra had told her to find the drama club working on the scenery. The heels of her boots tapped with each step as she made her way, and when she stepped into the room filled with students, the sounds of loud talking echoed across the ample space. Her eyes traveled around the room and landed on Sierra kneeling on the floor with a paintbrush in hand. Grinning, Bianca headed toward her.

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