Page 63 of The Billionaire's Heart

Although I’m not sure about loving Ian, I’m definitely engaged to the man. We may be dating, but love may be a long stretch. I’m not even sure what love is supposed to feel like.

Instead of thinking about it, I open the door to find a blonde woman wearing black pants that have a lot of pockets up and down her legs and a black polo shirt with the Hughes International logo on the left breast pocket.

“Hi. I’m Mia. It’s nice to meet you, Laura.”

She shakes my hand. “Nice to meet you, too. Are you ready to head over to Hibiscus Plaza to meet with the Property Manager?”

“Oh, is this where the new shop is going to be located?” Kennedy asks.

I nod. “I think so. Ian insisted I look at it for my location. I’m headed over there now. Want to come with us?”

Kennedy shakes her head. “Unfortunately, I can’t. I’ve got a two o’clock meeting at my office. But will I see you this afternoon at practice?”

Both Kennedy and I look at Laura as if we’re asking for permission to go. Laura smiles. “I’ve been given instructions to go where you go. As long as it’s safe.” Laura amends quickly.

As the three of us walk down the stairs to the front door, I tell Kennedy, “Then I’ll be there.” I then turn to Laura, “As long as it’s safe.”

Laura just nods.

Kennedy hugs me. “I’m glad you’re getting your dream, Mia. I’ll see you this afternoon.”

I hug her back and then watch her climb into her Mercedes and drive away. The guards with big guns on their hips and wandering the property don’t escape me and bring to the forefront the seriousness of the situation I’m in with Ian.

It drops a big dose of reality into my lap.

Laura, my security guard, takes time to explain to me what could happen if I ditch her or don’t listen to her. These people have seen way too many movies. With what is being said about me and what people are suggesting happening to me… I’m not ditching anyone, and I’m thankful that Laura is here. My plan is to follow her instructions to the T no matter what. I have no interest in losing my security.

Along with Laura as my personal bodyguard, I also have a driver and a dark, tinted, windowed SUV to chauffeur me around town. Ian has thought of everything. We’re pulling into the plaza where my shop will be located, and it is packed with every kind of high-end vehicle you can think of.

The men are all wearing suits and ties or button-down shirts in pastel colors and the women are all in summer-type dressesand some are even wearing those enormous hats rich people wear to make a statement.

“Wow” I murmur.

“What?” Laura asks as her eyes are scanning our surroundings as the driver pulls up to an empty storefront.

I shake my head, “Nothing.” It’s not nothing. I don’t fit in this circle of elite and elegant class of people.

“Let me just check things out first and then I’ll come get you. Stay here.” Laura says as she climbs out of the SUV.

“Okay.” God, I wish Ian was here. And as if I conjured him up, my cell phone rings, and it’s him. “Hi.” I answer.

“Hi. Are you at the shop yet?” He asks.

“We just pulled up. Laura’s checking things out before I go in.”

“Good. How was your meeting with your attorney? Kennedy Dixon, right?”

I smile to myself, “You remembered.”

“When it comes to all things ‘Mia’, I don’t forget. So, tell me how it went. Did you get everything done and set up?”

“Yeah. Even more than I thought I needed to do. She’s good.”

“I know. Gallo Enterprises uses her law firm periodically. I tried to get her to come onboard full time, but she prefers to handle only the cases that get her excited and all things corporate law doesn’t excite her.”

“That completely sounds like Kennedy.” I change the subject, “Aren’t you supposed to be on a plane to Seattle?”

“I am. Why?”

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