Page 16 of The Billionaire's Heart

We all clink our glasses and drink.

After eating a delicious burger and fries, which is so much tastier than tuna fish sandwiches, and attempting to dance on the dance floor, we finally decided to call it a night and Rick drives me back to the office where I had left my car. Apparently, Dean had taken a rideshare to Hooplas.

“Thanks for a great evening and the tour. I had way too much fun tonight.” I tell them as I climb out of Rick’s car.

“We’ll have to do it again sometime. Maybe next time, we’ll actually have a beer.” Dean calls out to me as I get into my car.

“Maybe. I’ll see you at work on Monday, Rick. Nice to meet you, Dean.”

“Drive safe, Mia.” Dean calls out as I start my car.

They wait until I pull out of the parking lot before they leave, and I smile at the thoughtfulness.

Mr. Gallo had done the same thing just the other night. The second I think of him, my insides get gooey again and I just don’t understand it. I almost miss him. How, since I barely know him, I don’t know. He’s my boss’s boss and some kind of billionaire or trillionaire. Is that even a thing? I don’t know, and I have no idea why I’m having these thoughts.

He’s my boss.

Actually, my boss’s boss.

Enough, Mia.

Chapter 8

Ian

The last two days here in Washington, D.C. have been unbearable. The paparazzi got word that I wasn’t in New York, but here and descended on my hotel and the office where I’ve been negotiating the Sutherland deal. It was a last-minute decision to meet here instead of in New York for this very reason.

I get that my mother has only good intentions, but she has no idea what hell she’s caused me by telling that reporter that I’m an eligible bachelor looking for love and then that popular news outlet listing me in the top five most eligible bachelors in the world. It’s not flattering, and it’s not helpful in the slightest.

On top of the paparazzi chasing me around the nation’s capital for the last two days, the owner of Sutherland Park Manufacturing isn’t all that impressed with these issues that I’ve been having, and I’m feeling like there may be a chance that I lose this deal over it. Tonight’s charity gala will go a long way in showing Mr. Sutherland that I’m a serious businessman and his company will benefit from our merger. He has no family that is interested in taking over the reins of his company, so a merger will allow him to have the money to leave his family when histime comes. I’m hoping inviting Mr. Sutherland and his wife to the gala tonight was a smart move.

But this nonsense list I’m on is getting in the way, and I’m thankful that Maria will be with me to help me seal the deal. As a consummate professional, she knows how to dress for these occasions, how to mingle with this caliber of people, and how to charm the pants off these powerful leaders at these events. I need her badly tonight.

I’m working in my hotel room when I hear my phone alert me to a text message. I pull up the app and see Maria is confirming tonight’s plans.

Maria:About tonight… I can’t attend. I’m sorry.

Me:What? Why?

She sends me a picture of her sitting on a hospital bed with a bandage wrapped around her head, two black eyes, and her lip is all cut up.

Me:WHAT THE FUCK! WHAT HAPPENED?

Maria:I’m fine. I was riding my bicycle around Dupont Circle this morning and got hit by a car. My leg is broken, too. I’m sorry. I tried to find someone else to go in my place, but everyone I know is busy tonight.

Me:Don’t worry about me. Did they arrest the fucker that did this? What do you need? I can be there in ten minutes.

Maria:No, I’m fine. My sister is here with me. It was an elderly man. He got confused and swerved. It was an accident.

Me:Is there anything you need? Anything I can do?

Maria:No, really. I’m fine. I just feel bad about canceling on you tonight.

Me:Don’t worry about me. Just get better and call me if you need anything. And I mean anything. Got it?

Maria:I will. Thank you, Ian.

I immediately call the hospital and send flowers and pay the bill. Maria only does professional dates because she’s paying for law school. This isn’t something she needs right now.

---